fiftiesdean
Pre-Flight
As the title states, I passed my Private Pilot Checkride. This forum has been a huge source or information, thank you all!
The advice held true. Relax, you are ready. You will make a mistake (or a few mistakes), make corrections and fly safe. Also, don't play genius with the examiner, don't talk yourself into a corner on every question, this will happen at least once, but don't provide answers to questions that aren't asked.
-The examiner spent a lot of time asking about systems. He wanted to know that I knew everything about that plane. Engine, electrical, troubleshooting, etc. He wanted to see that I could not only talk about the alternator warning on the annunciator panel, but I could show him how to test that that warning was working.
-W&B - detailed questions. C.G., Stalls, Spin awareness and recovery
-Va. Not just what it is, why it is.
-91.209B - I will never forget this. Strobes (if equipped) on when Anti-Collision lights are on, which is to say all the time. Yes, even for Day VFR. Exceptions apply, of course.
-Sectional. Know it. Remember, everything isn't in the ASA FAR/AIM you are carrying (Example - 2,000 ft above wildlife / national parks - Advisory Circular)
-The questions don't stop when you go to fly. This wasn't a Oral/Practical test. We talked more on the ground than in the air, but the questions don't stop when the engine starts.
-The flight was....fun. I was nervous and sweating, but it was actually fun. I didn't have a lot of time to think/talk about the last maneuver. Focus on the task at hand, nail it, move on. There is a sort of satisfaction when the examiner tells you to move on.
-You will make a large mistake as Captain Levy's post states. Pick yourself up, do it again, and make it perfect.
-You are PIC, I think my examiner wanted me to challenge him at some point and I did. The question was irrelevant, my answer of "I would agree with you that this is within regulations, but I'm the PIC, and we will not be doing that" seemed to move us right along to the next question.
Have fun! Hearing "Congratulations, you passed, you are now a Private Pilot" on that taxi back is one hell of a moment, I know I'll remember it.
The advice held true. Relax, you are ready. You will make a mistake (or a few mistakes), make corrections and fly safe. Also, don't play genius with the examiner, don't talk yourself into a corner on every question, this will happen at least once, but don't provide answers to questions that aren't asked.
-The examiner spent a lot of time asking about systems. He wanted to know that I knew everything about that plane. Engine, electrical, troubleshooting, etc. He wanted to see that I could not only talk about the alternator warning on the annunciator panel, but I could show him how to test that that warning was working.
-W&B - detailed questions. C.G., Stalls, Spin awareness and recovery
-Va. Not just what it is, why it is.
-91.209B - I will never forget this. Strobes (if equipped) on when Anti-Collision lights are on, which is to say all the time. Yes, even for Day VFR. Exceptions apply, of course.
-Sectional. Know it. Remember, everything isn't in the ASA FAR/AIM you are carrying (Example - 2,000 ft above wildlife / national parks - Advisory Circular)
-The questions don't stop when you go to fly. This wasn't a Oral/Practical test. We talked more on the ground than in the air, but the questions don't stop when the engine starts.
-The flight was....fun. I was nervous and sweating, but it was actually fun. I didn't have a lot of time to think/talk about the last maneuver. Focus on the task at hand, nail it, move on. There is a sort of satisfaction when the examiner tells you to move on.
-You will make a large mistake as Captain Levy's post states. Pick yourself up, do it again, and make it perfect.
-You are PIC, I think my examiner wanted me to challenge him at some point and I did. The question was irrelevant, my answer of "I would agree with you that this is within regulations, but I'm the PIC, and we will not be doing that" seemed to move us right along to the next question.
Have fun! Hearing "Congratulations, you passed, you are now a Private Pilot" on that taxi back is one hell of a moment, I know I'll remember it.
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