My quest for my license

eMKay said:
Yes and no. If I had studied more I would have gotten some of the iffy questions right and passed with a larger margin. But there were a lot of questions I've never seen before, and in the past what I've heard, is if you had a good study guide, you would have seen every question. But that's not the case any more.

It's a combination of my overconfidence and the newer test. I'm a book learner so if I read it, I usually remember it and I take tests very well. So I went in confident I knew the material better than I really do. I mean I know it enough to "pass" the FAA's test but I'm not satisfied with that at all.
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Check this out, Free for download from the FAA or for purchase through any pilot supply in book form. This publication alone will provide the answers to over 85% of the questions on your PP written and oral. You can find the rest of the questions here.

On that page you will find the answers to every question on every rating test the FAA gives a pilot up to ATP exclusive Type Ratings. It's all right there, and reasonably well presented. It's one of the things the FAA provides us. You can buy whatever you please, but the government will give you what you need to study to get any pilot rating.


This is the material that all the test questions were made from. You will be studying the same phraseology that the person writing the test questions is reading as he is writing the question.

If you know the material the tests are based on you will pass the test well. The FAA provides "Free Ground School" if you make yourself avail of all the resources here.
 
Trapper John said:
According to 14CFR 1.1:

Flight time means:
(1) Pilot time that commences when an aircraft moves under its own power for the purpose of flight and ends when the aircraft comes to rest after landing; or
(2) For a glider without self-launch capability, pilot time that commences when the glider is towed for the purpose of flight and ends when the glider comes to rest after landing.

I've never heard of anyone getting busted for logging Hobbs time, so it's probably not important.
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Everytime I've started the engine the aircraft "moves"!
 
More practice today, it started off with a call from my instructor saying he needed to be picked up at Akron (9G3), because he was there and his car was at Lancaster (BQR), he had to return a plane that was getting a 100 hour done, one of the other planes he uses to instruct. So I got .4 of solo in as well as a bunch of short and soft field takeoffs and landings, finally can do soft field takeoffs and short field landings consistently, something we didn't practice a lot of. Still waiting on the DPE to be available for my checkride, coincidentally he owns the plane my CFI flew back to Akron, I didn't know that. So our local DPE owns two planes at Akron used for instruction, and he's training to fly 777's. Sounds like a good life! Now if only he could get back to Buffalo to do my checkride!

Total time: 64.3hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - 9G3 - GVQ - 9G6 - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:30
Billed instructor time: 2:00
Hobbs time 1.9hrs
Tach time 1.3hrs
Fuel used 10.5g
 
Congratulations McKay! It sounds like you're closing in on it.

Thanks for the great diary of your experience.
Doc
 
eMKay said:
More practice today, it started off with a call from my instructor saying he needed to be picked up at Akron (9G3), because he was there and his car was at Lancaster (BQR), he had to return a plane that was getting a 100 hour done, one of the other planes he uses to instruct. So I got .4 of solo in as well as a bunch of short and soft field takeoffs and landings, finally can do soft field takeoffs and short field landings consistently, something we didn't practice a lot of. Still waiting on the DPE to be available for my checkride, coincidentally he owns the plane my CFI flew back to Akron, I didn't know that. So our local DPE owns two planes at Akron used for instruction, and he's training to fly 777's. Sounds like a good life! Now if only he could get back to Buffalo to do my checkride!

Total time: 64.3hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - 9G3 - GVQ - 9G6 - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:30
Billed instructor time: 2:00
Hobbs time 1.9hrs
Tach time 1.3hrs
Fuel used 10.5g
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Have you been to KSDC (Williamson Sodus)? Its a cool place for a stopover. I'm a member there (although not nearly as active as I would like).

Thanks for the play by play. Good luck when the day comes.
 
I have not been to KSDC yet. Today was more checkride practice, getting the shorts and softs down. More tomorrow. Also, we tried an experiment, the latest Plane & Pilot magazine had yet another "Impossible Turn" article, this one says to climb at VX when possible, and if you lose power, execute an immediate STEEP turn (between 45 and 60 degrees) the reasoning is, you will be able to perform the maneuver while only losing 300 feet and it will put you much closer to the field than a shallow turn. We tried it (at 3500 feet, climbing at VX) since VX is best glide speed in a 172M anyway, it just required leveling, trimming, and turning. and we indeed lost exactly 300'. Will we have made it back to the field? Dunno. My instructor says it's still a stupid idea to even try.

Checkride will be somewhere after the 20th, probably that weekend. Waiting on the DPE to return from 777 training.

Total time: 66.1hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - 9G3 - 9G5 - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:30
Billed instructor time: 2:00
Hobbs time 1.8hrs
Tach time 1.0hrs
Fuel used 7.2g
 
eMKay said:
I have not been to KSDC yet. Today was more checkride practice, getting the shorts and softs down. More tomorrow. Also, we tried an experiment, the latest Plane & Pilot magazine had yet another "Impossible Turn" article, this one says to climb at VX when possible, and if you lose power, execute an immediate STEEP turn (between 45 and 60 degrees) the reasoning is, you will be able to perform the maneuver while only losing 300 feet and it will put you much closer to the field than a shallow turn. We tried it (at 3500 feet, climbing at VX) since VX is best glide speed in a 172M anyway, it just required leveling, trimming, and turning. and we indeed lost exactly 300'. Will we have made it back to the field? Dunno. My instructor says it's still a stupid idea to even try.

Checkride will be somewhere after the 20th, probably that weekend. Waiting on the DPE to return from 777 training.

Total time: 66.1hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - 9G3 - 9G5 - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:30
Billed instructor time: 2:00
Hobbs time 1.8hrs
Tach time 1.0hrs
Fuel used 7.2g
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Thanks for keeping us updated. It is cool you can try stuff with your instructor that you read about in a magazine. Also interesting he or she charges you less than actual time, saving you money.
 
My instructor is up for any of this kind of stuff. He has a gazillion hours in police helicopters, Lears, small taildraggers and aerobatics. He's up for anything within reason. All you have to do is manage to get him to fit flying into his schedule.

I also thank you for keeping us informed, McKay!
Doc
 
More practice, perfect weather equals perfect landings, logbook endorsed for checkride. We didn't do anything special, just practiced slow flight, stalls, engine outs (including an engine out landing, love those)

Total time: 67.4hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - 9G3 - 9G5 - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:00
Billed instructor time: 1:30
Hobbs time 1.4hrs
Tach time 1.0hrs
Fuel used 7.5g
 
eMKay said:
More practice, perfect weather equals perfect landings, logbook endorsed for checkride. We didn't do anything special, just practiced slow flight, stalls, engine outs (including an engine out landing, love those)

Total time: 67.4hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - 9G3 - 9G5 - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:00
Billed instructor time: 1:30
Hobbs time 1.4hrs
Tach time 1.0hrs
Fuel used 7.5g
Click to expand...


You are really closing in on the checkride now. Thanks for providing the ongoing SAGA.

Doc
 
eMKay said:
More practice, perfect weather equals perfect landings, logbook endorsed for checkride. We didn't do anything special, just practiced slow flight, stalls, engine outs (including an engine out landing, love those)
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Discuss doing a mock oral and mock check ride with another instructor. I did not avail myself of these and wish I did. While I did okay, I now recongize my comfort level and performance during those two exams would have gone better if I had already worked out the jitters before we went to the DPE.

It's also a great way to identify any gaps in knowledge before you go official.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Discuss doing a mock oral and mock check ride with another instructor. I did not avail myself of these and wish I did. While I did okay, I now recongize my comfort level and performance during those two exams would have gone better if I had already worked out the jitters before we went to the DPE.

It's also a great way to identify any gaps in knowledge before you go official.
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Great point Mike. I did a mock oral with a very experienced CFI who knew the DPE well and knew how he conducts his orals, and it was immensely helpful. I was sure I was not going to do well, but the mock exam helped convince me I was ready.

And eMkay, if you don't want to wait for the local DPE, I can recommend a good one based in Binghamton. There's some virtually perfect flying weather here in central NY these past few days.
 
eMKay said:
More practice, perfect weather equals perfect landings, logbook endorsed for checkride. We didn't do anything special, just practiced slow flight, stalls, engine outs (including an engine out landing, love those)

Total time: 67.4hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - 9G3 - 9G5 - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:00
Billed instructor time: 1:30
Hobbs time 1.4hrs
Tach time 1.0hrs
Fuel used 7.5g
Click to expand...

Have you started IACRA online?
 
AggieMike88 said:
Discuss doing a mock oral and mock check ride with another instructor. I did not avail myself of these and wish I did. While I did okay, I now recongize my comfort level and performance during those two exams would have gone better if I had already worked out the jitters before we went to the DPE.

It's also a great way to identify any gaps in knowledge before you go official.
Click to expand...

We did that already
 
eMKay said:
More practice, perfect weather equals perfect landings, logbook endorsed for checkride. We didn't do anything special, just practiced slow flight, stalls, engine outs (including an engine out landing, love those)
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Sweet. As they say, git r done.
 
Congratulations for taking the first step towards something that will change your life forever!

I trained in a Piper Warrior. It's a fun and reliable plane to fly.

I'm glad you have decided to journal your training. I did that as well when I was training. I have every lesson documented.. the good, the bad and the ugly. I love to look back at my training experience. You'll be glad you did it, because later on it's priceless. Keep it up!

Blue Skies!
 
kimberlyanne546 said:
Have you started IACRA online?
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Yes, did it yesterday. Had an hour flight yesterday too, practiced some stalls, foggles, and slow flight. Also my CFI got a hold of the DPE and he said if he comes home one of the weekends in between now and November 5th, he can get me in. So I better be ready! Somehow I lost a tenth in this thread, my logbook says 68.5 but here it's 68.4, so I fixed it.

Total time: 68.5hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:00
Billed instructor time: 1:30
Hobbs time 1.0hrs
Tach time .8hrs
Fuel used 6.2g
 
With this crowd, what's a tenth between friends?

And don't stress if the error doubles, relax, since you'd be two tenths!

Another Oral/Checkride prep tip... Flash cards. Search for a post from me in other threads about this. It's a great way to practice on key knowledge items listed in the PTS.
 
Checkride scheduled for November 5th, 1pm, weather permitting (I do live in Buffalo after all) a side note, my instructor has an interview with American Eagle this week, glad we are done! Because from what I'm reading online, unless you screw something up the job is yours when you go in for an interview.
 
Thanks for the update, I was wondering about you!

Good luck, I know you will do well. From your posts it seems you are well prepared.

Do you have plans for your first few flights / passengers?
 
Simulated checkride today, CFI said I would have passed. Thursday we will go over the oral, Friday fly another mock checkride, and it looks like we have typical late October, early November weather here in Buffalo this coming week. Cool, clear, and calm.

Total time: 70.2hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:30
Billed instructor time: 2:00
Hobbs time 1.7hrs
Tach time 1.3hrs
Fuel used 10g
 
Hey! There's a light at the end of this tunnel! Whoodathunkit?

light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.jpg
 
eMKay said:
Simulated checkride today, CFI said I would have passed. Thursday we will go over the oral, Friday fly another mock checkride, and it looks like we have typical late October, early November weather here in Buffalo this coming week. Cool, clear, and calm.

Total time: 70.2hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:30
Billed instructor time: 2:00
Hobbs time 1.7hrs
Tach time 1.3hrs
Fuel used 10g
Click to expand...

Great job, sounds like this instructor is really making sure you are prepared. When you fly the checkride it will be "no big deal".
 
First off, BIG thing happened today, a plane that took off in front of us had to make a forced landing in the field, we even joked with the pilot over the radio at the airport as we both came stopped for eachother while taxiing. We found out soon after we landed, and my CFI had to go tell their family members who were waiting for them to come back (he was giving rides) Nothing seemed wrong when he left.

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/140684/37/Small-Plane-Crash-Lands-in-Colden

Anyway, we had a short flight just t keep fresh for tomorrows checkride, and we had a nasty crosswind, perfect practice, and had an awesome crosswind landing that I hope I can duplicate tomorrow.

Total time: 70.2hrs
Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 172M
Route: BQR - BQR
Total time with instructor: 2:00
Billed instructor time: 1:00
Hobbs time 1.0hrs
Tach time .9hrs
Fuel used 7.6g
 
I'll be thinking about you and wishing you good luck.

Be sure to let us know how you did, I know so many have enjoyed your stories, and it has helped them in their own training.


Kimberly
 
Check out this weather, oh yeah...

[FONT=Monospace,Courier]KBUF 051154Z 13005KT 10SM FEW270 M02/M04 A3042 RMK AO2 SLP309 T10171044 10006 21017 51005[/FONT]
KBUF 051120Z 0512/0612 12005KT P6SM SCT250
FM051600 14008KT P6SM SCT250
FM060300 16008KT P6SM SKC WS010/19035KT
 
Good luck with your practical today. Couldn't ask for a nicer day for it!
 
That was the most grueling 4 hours ever! But I passed.
 
eMKay said:
That was the most grueling 4 hours ever! But I passed.
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That's great!
Now go practice everything you messed on the checkride...

Na... Who am I kidding, just go fly and have fun!
 
I am so happy for you!

Congrats.

It should take about 3-5 weeks to get your super cool plastic card in the mail. And trust me, I was counting the days.....


Kimberly
 
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