CerroTorre
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2020
- Messages
- 136
- Display Name
Display name:
CerroTorre
So I passed my Commercial checkride a couple weeks ago. Thanks for helping with my multiple, slightly pedantic questions over the lead up. It was helpful. Turned out to be a smooth checkride that I was over-prepared for even though I had a DPE that was known to be a tough cookie. That was gratifying and again I give credit to all the folks who helped me really get into the nitty-gritty details regarding the regs and aircraft systems stuff I was curious about.
I went in to the checkride with my own binder full of all the aircraft maintenance documentation, detailed old-school weight and balance, an actual penciled in old-school flight plan (!), and my usual expanded performance charts in an excel spreadsheet, all backed up with the usual foreflight calcs - all of which he seemed very happy to see. I was proficient talking about advanced aircraft systems, high altitude stuff, and ready to do a deep dive into Part 119/121/135. All of which he seemed very pleased to see. My takeaway was that a little front end over-preparation (yes, I'm particular and maybe even overly so) that showed that I knew what I was talking about went a long way toward smoothing things out as we discussed things. Oral probably lasted 2 hours but felt mostly casual.
For me it was totally worth paying for ground time to sit down and what-if my way through regulatory questions with a couple sharp CFI's prior to the exam. Literally just turning a CFI session into an extended discussion about odd-ball regulatory scenarios. Ad -nauseum. In depth discussion is key to my retention and understanding. I basically stopped worrying about $ and just hired a good study partner - I'd highly recommend it.
So, I now have about 450 hours which puts me at the VERY minimum to expect to get any potential job prospects. I don't plan to go the CFI route. Am extremely mobile (would even consider international) and am also very open to seasonal flying gigs since I am still holding on to my other career for now. Also I don't care what it pays (again ... for now). Literally any gig flying would be great. I don't have my multi yet ... but expect to do so in the not too distant future. Pipeline patrol and sky-dive are my most obvious initial ideas. Any one else out there have ideas (or even leads) for how to get in somewhere (zero intention of heading to the airlines - I like to fly airplanes that still have personality - i.e. old and beat up =). One day dreams of Alaska flying - I have a weak spot for frigid temps, terrible work hours, and lifting heavy things (like being my own ground crew).
Anyway - lots of talking for not much useful contribution. Just thanks for all the help and keeping the stoke for aviation alive. The flying community is pretty great. Happy holidays.
I went in to the checkride with my own binder full of all the aircraft maintenance documentation, detailed old-school weight and balance, an actual penciled in old-school flight plan (!), and my usual expanded performance charts in an excel spreadsheet, all backed up with the usual foreflight calcs - all of which he seemed very happy to see. I was proficient talking about advanced aircraft systems, high altitude stuff, and ready to do a deep dive into Part 119/121/135. All of which he seemed very pleased to see. My takeaway was that a little front end over-preparation (yes, I'm particular and maybe even overly so) that showed that I knew what I was talking about went a long way toward smoothing things out as we discussed things. Oral probably lasted 2 hours but felt mostly casual.
For me it was totally worth paying for ground time to sit down and what-if my way through regulatory questions with a couple sharp CFI's prior to the exam. Literally just turning a CFI session into an extended discussion about odd-ball regulatory scenarios. Ad -nauseum. In depth discussion is key to my retention and understanding. I basically stopped worrying about $ and just hired a good study partner - I'd highly recommend it.
So, I now have about 450 hours which puts me at the VERY minimum to expect to get any potential job prospects. I don't plan to go the CFI route. Am extremely mobile (would even consider international) and am also very open to seasonal flying gigs since I am still holding on to my other career for now. Also I don't care what it pays (again ... for now). Literally any gig flying would be great. I don't have my multi yet ... but expect to do so in the not too distant future. Pipeline patrol and sky-dive are my most obvious initial ideas. Any one else out there have ideas (or even leads) for how to get in somewhere (zero intention of heading to the airlines - I like to fly airplanes that still have personality - i.e. old and beat up =). One day dreams of Alaska flying - I have a weak spot for frigid temps, terrible work hours, and lifting heavy things (like being my own ground crew).
Anyway - lots of talking for not much useful contribution. Just thanks for all the help and keeping the stoke for aviation alive. The flying community is pretty great. Happy holidays.
