Another previous post:
https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/discouraged-last-lesson.134754/
Update and insight.
A few months ago I tested and failed for some stupid stuff and some communication issues. My plane went in for maintenance and i was not able to retest in the 60 day window. I was to retest in July but destination wx went IFR while I was airborne. Was to retest today but that was going to be cancelled. Found out about another cancellation and was able to test yesterday, passed.
Now for some random thoughts about the process, perhaps it might help another later:
1. It took me about 275 hrs total time. Perhaps at my age it just took me longer to adapt, get comfortable, get ahead of the plane. No way to validate this.
2. My first failure might have been mitigated by check ride prep with the ACS (or a syllabus) where every task was performed. My instructor assumed I had mastered previous tasks and I failed to remember one.
3. My plane is highly capable with tech and left me deficient in hand flying. Hand flying skills highly important. I think this was unique to me reading about all the experts on POA.
4. If doing this again, or giving advice, I would STRONGLY FAVOR a school or CFII with a syllabus. Such syllabus ought stress early on the importance of known power settings and configurations for various phases of flight. I think early CFIIs knew such things, might have said what power to use, but I sure as heck had not internalized them. This video covers things:
https://pilotworkshop.com/videos/ifr-foundation-video/
5. The step above can be started by oneself or with a more experienced pilot, perhaps this can save a buck. Another thing that can be done is practicing some basic and I expect classic IFR training patterns. These helped improve aircraft control and awareness:
https://www.gleim.com/public/pdf/av_updates/ipfmadd2.pdf
6. In retrospect, I think it was good to take some breaks away from flying. Not super long, but a week or two here and there. This helps with mental acuity and family life.
7. I am really thankful that I had my own plane. I paid for a lot of instructor time, renting a plane would have just made it worse.
In general, I think I stood a chance to pass near minimum hours if my hand flying was better and I knew (internalized) the power settings for my plane. Hand flying would have been improved by practicing the above patterns. I was unaware of these issues prior to starting my training.
