Congrats!
I like reading the write-ups of how these checkrides went. I am a month or two away (passed written, have XC req's done, need some more sim instrument and dual). I really enjoy reading about how DPEs approach these checkrides. What was the oral portion like? Any gotchas there or interesting focus areas?
There was nothing unexpected. Basically you need to print the airman certification booklet and go through it in detail. First thing I would say it make sure all your paperwork is ready and organized. I had everything in a folder and note cards ready to go. I even took a picture of my planes registration and certification, had my POH with me, and make sure all items needed to be signed off are done. I missed a few questions on my written, make sure your instructor signs off that he has reviewed the missed areas as my examiner did go over those areas to make sure I knew them. The oral wasn’t a big deal to me. Basically I looked at the entire exam as me telling someone who never flew how it all worked. One question was on mandatory reporting points, which I cannot remember all of them...but I do fly with a knee-board and pointed out they are lister there...he was okay with that. I also wasn’t ever going to learn all the items needed for IFR flight, but I knew 91.205, and I told him if something was broken in real life, I would look it up anyway. There were a couple of areas that I didn’t nail on the answer, but I was able to explain enough.
On the actual flight, it really was me treating it like I was taking a friend, who had never flown, and I needed to tell him everything I was doing, every instrument detail, basically what I was thinking and doing. In many cases, there are multiple ways to do the same thing..for example, a hold at a VOR. Just make sure you are able to show him/her that you know how.
I was not able to use autopilot in my exam except in a few spots. The main items I would stress is cross checking, being able to explain why you are looking at each instrument. Altitude...this is big for me....watch your altitude. Don’t descend below, MDA....and when you go missed, make sure you wait until you are passed the missed approach before turning. Depending on avionics, make sure you are clear on how it works.
since you are going approach to approach it can get very busy. In my case, after a missed, I needed to “reset” and he was already giving me the next approach. In my case, I asked him for a heading while I reset. He was glad to see me do that. I think in a way it would have been same if I was getting a route change...ask for a heading until you can get everything in the GPS.
i was very well prepared for this. In my case, I had to do an ILS, RNAV, and Circling Approach. Basically, just know the plates, altitudes and explain what you are doing.
Stephen
