Private Pilot Checkride Oct 2015

October 2015 Checkride:
Oral – Very few straight knowledge questions, though quick, direct, simple answers were appreciated for those. Offered reasonable use of FAR/AIM, AFD, kneeboard, etc. if needed though I did not use it. Most of the exam was scenario-based with topics pulled from blue book. In general he wanted to know the practical implications of the topics discussed. For example, discussing torque and yaw effects he wanted to know that, ultimately at low speed, high power / AOA during a maneuver like a soft field takeoff they can cause a plane to veer off dangerously if not anticipated and managed. He was looking for a solid grasp of ADM and risk management, impact of environmental effects and weather, etc., and appropriate actions either through aircraft control or decisions. Items that N.L. seemed particularly pleased that I knew were:
VFR altitudes start above 3000 foot AGL
Configuration and limitations for P-40 / R-4009 / TFR
60nm SFRA training requirements and markings for such on sectional
G limits for aircraft categories
Why there are reduced cloud clearance requirements in Class B
Flight portion- 1st leg of XC flown starting from climb-out; did not climb to cruise altitude first. He was not overly concerned about timing to checkpoint., however I has already indicated that a recalculation was needed to account for lower ground speed climb and estimated new ETA. He asked me a couple of times to identify where we were on the chart, usually while we were near a prominent feature (like a mountain ridge). At first checkpoint, diverted to MRB via VOR. This was very simple as I was already tuned to the radial which was being used to help identify the checkpoint. After visually identifying MRB, turned back towards KFDK and began maneuvers in training area between the ridges. Executed one set of clearing turns prior to slow flight, after that maneuvers were used to maintain a clear area.
We did the following:
Slow flight with turns
Stall in landing configuration
Imminent stall in takeoff configuration
Steep turns
Emergency descent (What would you do if the engine caught fire at altitude)
Goggles and unusual attitudes
Turns about a point
Return to KFDK for a normal full stop landing. Examiner did not limit use of avionics for return.
Soft field takeoff
Short field landing, touch and go
After some circling directed by the tower due to traffic, came in for an engine out approach. I identified that I was high, floating long and while slipping in opted to go around rather than force it down. Engine out landing.

Comments Off on Private Pilot Checkride Oct 2015 - Share this on Facebook or Twitter.

Comments are closed.

Today in Aviation History