It wasn't pretty....

genna

genna

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ТУ-104
.... but you are looking at(or rather reading about) a freshly minted IR pilot!

So much turbulence, it was really a touch and go for a while. Lots of issues, but apparently not enough to fail.

Now... I need some shots!
 
Congratulations! As a fellow IR-rated pilot who didn't feel like he aced his checkride, I can tell you that you probably did better than you thought, but also might not want to rush into shooting approaches in actual to mins.

After I had the temp cert in my hand I asked the DPE what he thought of ride overall. He said that I demonstrated positive control of the aircraft at all times and the outcome of the things he requested was never in question. There may have been a bump here or an initial forgetting of one of the Ts (twist) there, but I was able to recover and prove to him that I was a safe instrument pilot. He also said that most people who pass feel like they just squeaked by when, in fact, they often did a good job in the given conditions. But then he was quick to caution me to not be/get overconfident and to slowly build my skill/confidence by setting personal minimums.
 
genna said:
.... but you are looking at(or rather reading about) a freshly minted IR pilot!

So much turbulence, it was really a touch and go for a while. Lots of issues, but apparently not enough to fail.

Now... I need some shots!
Click to expand...

It's Friday afternoon. Soon, I will be heading home and having a few shots myself. I hope you get some too. You deserve it.
Congrats!
 
Big congrats to you! :cheers:

And I'm going to guess along with others that you probably did better than you thought. My checkride wasn't particularly pretty either, especially my partial panel approach which I had done a LOT better during the checkride prep. And I nearly fired my DPE in the middle of flying the ILS when he started hounding me with questions about a piece of non-installed equipment, and then ramped up the harrassment when I told him I needed sterile cockpit at this point. During the debrief he said that the way I handled a glitch with my HSI was "worth 100 points" and that he had no reservations about signing me off. Unless your DPE said you just barely squeaked by or something like that, I wouldn't second guess him.

Whether you're ready to shoot approaches to minimums in actual IMC or not is something you, and your CFI, are better qualified to judge than anyone here. If you were well prepared, you probably won't ever be more proficient than you are now. My first solo in actual was a week after the ride. There is nothing like getting the ticket wet ASAP -- as long as you feel confident and safe.
 
genna said:
.... but you are looking at(or rather reading about) a freshly minted IR pilot!

So much turbulence, it was really a touch and go for a while. Lots of issues, but apparently not enough to fail.

Now... I need some shots!
Click to expand...

Mind PMing me who your DPE was? I'm in DC and am working on my IR now.
 
Congrats! It feels good to have that completed, doesn't it?
 
azure said:
Big congrats to you! :cheers:

And I'm going to guess along with others that you probably did better than you thought. My checkride wasn't particularly pretty either, especially my partial panel approach which I had done a LOT better during the checkride prep. And I nearly fired my DPE in the middle of flying the ILS when he started hounding me with questions about a piece of non-installed equipment, and then ramped up the harrassment when I told him I needed sterile cockpit at this point. During the debrief he said that the way I handled a glitch with my HSI was "worth 100 points" and that he had no reservations about signing me off. Unless your DPE said you just barely squeaked by or something like that, I wouldn't second guess him.

Whether you're ready to shoot approaches to minimums in actual IMC or not is something you, and your CFI, are better qualified to judge than anyone here. If you were well prepared, you probably won't ever be more proficient than you are now. My first solo in actual was a week after the ride. There is nothing like getting the ticket wet ASAP -- as long as you feel confident and safe.
Click to expand...

You are probably right. DPE didn't seem like someone who'd let me slide if I made serious errors. I don't think the outcome of all my maneuvers was ever in any serious doubt, but I just made it harder on myself with stupid little oversights and mental farts. Of course the fact that just keeping wings level was a challenge didn't help at all..

It was really interesting when I couldn't find my plate as I was entering a hold to do a PT in partial panel with GPS and iPad failed. (it was there right under my notebook, but I just couldn't see it). had to grab my phone and get it from there.

As far as readiness... No I don't think I'm quite ready to shoot ILS down to the 200AGL in real IMC solo. It's not that I cannot do it, it's more of personal/mental limit. I have to warm up to it by: 1. filing everywhere I go and 2. taking advantages of IMC that is not quite down to the minimum. Run a few of those first in familiar airports. Then I think I will be ready.
 
My DPE didn't say much... We landed, he said pull it in the FBO and didn't say a word. We stopped, he got out and said, " button it up, we are done here. Meet me inside and we will go over the flight inside."


I was like, yep, knew I sucked. That DME arc was terrible and that ILS looked more like a snake on the water. Missed calling the OM until a mile after it. I was expecting to walk in and my double II was gonna beat me silly.

Walked in head low and about 3 cFis and a few students were all clapping and hooting. DPE had a temp cert in his hand and smiling. Totally anticlimactic!!

Good job OP. Breath, relax, enjoy!
 
The worst thing that happens before a checkride is learning the standards we're being held to. I think everyone gets really self conscious and tries to hit it out of the park, where your CFI knows that you can get a base hit and pass the ride as long as you don't try to hit a home run.

It seems like anxiety over the ride itself contributes to checkride busts as much as lack of skill
 
airheadpenguin said:
The worst thing that happens before a checkride is learning the standards we're being held to. I think everyone gets really self conscious and tries to hit it out of the park, where your CFI knows that you can get a base hit and pass the ride as long as you don't try to hit a home run.

It seems like anxiety over the ride itself contributes to checkride busts as much as lack of skill
Click to expand...
I think the stress is part of becoming a pilot. It's about how you deal with the stress and nerves and how you can overcome it and stay focused on the task at hand. The examiner knows that you are nervous and he wants to see how you deal with it.
 
Congrats!! It's a great feeling, having the certificate in your hands after all the work you have put into achieving it, isn't it?! :)
 
That is one ride that really feels great to be finished with. Welcome, cloudbuster!
 
First off...Congrats...Great accomplishment!!!

I am starting to work on my IR rating. What all did you have to do on your checkride as far as the flying portion?
 
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