Mon Jan 01, 2018 11:52 pm
#1581220
Biggest one I'd impart is Don't ever give up.
My examiner for my skills test was rather prickly. I'd never met him before and he came across very sterile, very cold and rather abrupt. He had no sense of humour and claimed he would do nothing devious like pulling CB's - instead he sat there saying nothing and occasionally looking out the window and doing odd things on his chart with his pen, which really threw me off.
For me, it was 2.5 hours of hell where in my head I'd already failed during the climbout. I then proceeded to hit my first turning point bang on time but 2 miles south of it (still not sure if he accepted my fluffed explanation, that on a low wing aircraft I thought it would be better not to be overhead). Then there was my altitude wandering as I just couldn't get it perfectly trimmed, my position fix started badly using the VOR without enough altitude to get a fix, so I went for an NDB and inadvertantly had the source on ANT and the volume up to the max so I deafened him and could positively confirm without doubt the true heading to the right wing. Then I got lost, then worked out where I was, then got lost again. Thankfully he then requested that we did the upper airwork and he was taking over comms and nav, so bullet dodged. Feeling absolutely shattered recovering back to home for the circuit stuff, which had also changed runways since we were out, with just over 2 miles until the overhead join it dawned on me I was pointing at the wrong bit so quickly corrected. Finally on my last landing, the glide approach, I was so obsessed with being bang on the centreline I thought I was a bit too floaty and when we did touch locked up the mainwheels. We taxied back at walking pace (as apparently thats what examiners like) in total silence with me desperate for the lav, a cigarette, some coffee and either a good cry or a quiet corner to throw up in. Never before had I felt so down thinking all the time and money to get me here has been for nothing and I'm just not for flight.
10 minutes later, after the requested period from Captain Icicle to write up his notes, he shook my hand and congratulated me on passing. In his opinion I could fly the aircraft, I knew where I was going, I knew what I was doing, and I had demonstrated that I could recognise when things weren't going to plan and react. His only criticism was that I was hesitant in my decision making due to a lack of confidence but assured me that would change with experience.
Ultimately, the examiner doesn't want to fail you. He/She wants to see some nice flying, good depth of knowledge and above all else a safe aviator. So don't ever give up regardless of how bleak it seems!
My examiner for my skills test was rather prickly. I'd never met him before and he came across very sterile, very cold and rather abrupt. He had no sense of humour and claimed he would do nothing devious like pulling CB's - instead he sat there saying nothing and occasionally looking out the window and doing odd things on his chart with his pen, which really threw me off.
For me, it was 2.5 hours of hell where in my head I'd already failed during the climbout. I then proceeded to hit my first turning point bang on time but 2 miles south of it (still not sure if he accepted my fluffed explanation, that on a low wing aircraft I thought it would be better not to be overhead). Then there was my altitude wandering as I just couldn't get it perfectly trimmed, my position fix started badly using the VOR without enough altitude to get a fix, so I went for an NDB and inadvertantly had the source on ANT and the volume up to the max so I deafened him and could positively confirm without doubt the true heading to the right wing. Then I got lost, then worked out where I was, then got lost again. Thankfully he then requested that we did the upper airwork and he was taking over comms and nav, so bullet dodged. Feeling absolutely shattered recovering back to home for the circuit stuff, which had also changed runways since we were out, with just over 2 miles until the overhead join it dawned on me I was pointing at the wrong bit so quickly corrected. Finally on my last landing, the glide approach, I was so obsessed with being bang on the centreline I thought I was a bit too floaty and when we did touch locked up the mainwheels. We taxied back at walking pace (as apparently thats what examiners like) in total silence with me desperate for the lav, a cigarette, some coffee and either a good cry or a quiet corner to throw up in. Never before had I felt so down thinking all the time and money to get me here has been for nothing and I'm just not for flight.
10 minutes later, after the requested period from Captain Icicle to write up his notes, he shook my hand and congratulated me on passing. In his opinion I could fly the aircraft, I knew where I was going, I knew what I was doing, and I had demonstrated that I could recognise when things weren't going to plan and react. His only criticism was that I was hesitant in my decision making due to a lack of confidence but assured me that would change with experience.
Ultimately, the examiner doesn't want to fail you. He/She wants to see some nice flying, good depth of knowledge and above all else a safe aviator. So don't ever give up regardless of how bleak it seems!
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