PASSED!

I passed my Private Pilot checkride!!

I am now a PILOT!

and not a student - yay!!
223 landings, 90.6 hours total

My designated pilot examiner, Alan Kasher, was so easy going and relaxed and practical about what he tested me on.  There were no surprise punches, no sudden requests to action, no lengthy exercises. I highly recommend him.  :-)

Of course, he passed me so perhaps my opinion is clouded.  heheh

Anyway, I planned a cross country trip to Shreveport as part of the exam which was used as a discussion point about navigation, diverting and general planning.  The oral exam was about an hour and a half I think but it felt way faster than that.  I answered all of his questions easily, some with rambling in detail as that's what I do when I'm nervous.

He prepped me about the flight before we left so that I knew what to expect.  I tuned into the Addison VOR on my way out pointing as if I were going to Terrell airport (one of my cross country checkpoints) then around Lake Hubbard he decided the cross country planning was sufficiently demonstrated so we moved on to unusual attitude recovery, did some slow flight, stalls of both types, steep turns and emergency landing procedures.  He gave me the option between s-turns or turns around a point.  Since my s-turns have been spotty in quality in this airplane, I chose the turns around a point and did well on that.

Then we headed to Mesquite for some landings. My first landing was a bit rough, I bounced a little, but I recovered nicely from it and he said it was fine.  I did short field landing, soft field landing, soft field take-off and take-off over a 50 ft. imaginary object.  All of these were completed nicely with compliments along the way.

We headed back to Addison.  I maintain altitude the whole way manually (something I struggle with in these light sports) but I did make a mistake on a radio call talking to Addison. It wasn't a big deal of a mistake but worth a mention after we landed and debriefed.

He shook my hand at the end as we were getting out and said "Congratulations, you did a good job. ... I'd fly with you again."

That was it!  We went inside, he printed my temporary certificate, signed it, discussed it then I was officially seen as a Pilot, not a student.

YAY!!

One year, two weeks and LOTS of money and time went into this effort. 

So what's next?  I want to be checked out on a Cessna 172 at a nearby hangar so I can share family trips.  I also want to fly half of the cross country trip next weekend to Lubbock.  I also want to throw a party and take some friends and coworkers up with me for the fun of it.  If you can read this, you're invited!  :-)

Sunday!

My checkride is scheduled for Sunday morning. I am both nervous and excited!

I am reviewing the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the airplane I'll be flying in, brushing up on typical oral quiz questions, and trying to remain calm.

*giddy*

I also need to prepare for a cross country flight to Shreveport, although we won't actually go there.

I am ready for this!  I am nervous, but I am ready!  :-)

*giddy*

By the way, I may be incognito this weekend whilst I do last minute studying.  If you can't reach me, I'm sure you understand.



BTW, the Piper SportCruiser (CRUZ) is classified as SP-GEN-AP if you ever have to do an IACRA form on the FAA site. :-)

Checkride in Sight!

This week I got endorsed to take my checkride.

yay!!

Now I'm waiting for the school's preferred FAA designated examiner guy to be available for testing. I'm told he only does weekends.  So far no response.  I'm worried he may not be available until the end of the month.  We'll see.  *fingers crossed*

Today I flew a couple patterns around Addison airport. I would have liked to have flown more but

  1. I ran out of time, and
  2. the winds changed to be more of crosswind component.

Also, the pilot side right brake was broken making it difficult to effectively taxi.  I could left like a champ but not right.  My CFI has on right side brake duty.

Meanwhile I'll be reading the Practical Test Standards and a little book called Pass Your Private Pilot Checkride.  And flying when it's affordable.  :-)

90%

Yesterday I flew with my instructor demonstrating all the flying maneuvers we have been practicing.  Patrick recently said I was 90% ready for a check ride. Everything was spot on except for s-turns.  For some reason I either lose speed or lose altitude during s-turns.  I'll go up again tomorrow to practice on my own. I'm also on the schedule to demonstrate my improvement some time next week.  I'm scheduled for Tuesday afternoon but now that weather is in the forecast, I may have to be flexible. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow through Wednesday.  :-(

Today Rusty & I hung out in the hangar with other pilots and students for the school's Kentucky Derby party.  People showed up all decked out in fancy clothing and ladies with derby hats. I wore a layered outfit and the derby hat leftover from Emily's bachelorette party.

The best part of the day was talking with other pilots.  I love hearing other people's stories about how they got to be where they are now. I also love hearing pilot stories.  I can't wait to get some good stories of my own.  I have a few, and look forward to more.  ;-)

On that note, my father-in-law seemed very interested in trying out a flight.  Once I have my license, I'll be looking for excuses to fly.

Followers

Contributors

Blog Archive

Search This Blog