Yeti Niner Five
Pre-takeoff checklist
I took my Private Pilot checkride on Thursday. I learned a ton and actually enjoyed the day. The DPE was fantastic...tough, thorough but fair.
The oral lasted about 2 hours. That part didn't make me nervous. I was prepared and we just had a conversation about flying. She was really good at distinguishing between the book answers and practical airmanship. It went well. We broke for lunch and it was time to fly.
After the preflight work and discussion about the plane, we started. The first task was the performance takeoffs and landings. They weren't perfect, but were within PTS. I let my crosswind correction slip a bit on my soft-field landing. Not bad, but I missed the centerline. She liked to see a tight pattern, so it was a bit different than my instructor. It prompted some good discussion.
Next, we departed on the planned cross country. After hitting the first couple of check points, we diverted to an alternate airport. So far, I'm feeling good.
On the way, we did steep turns. The cumulus clouds were building and it was pretty bumpy at 2,500'. The turns were some of my worst in a while. But, still within PTS. On to slow flight but frustrated with my performance.
This is where she really started testing me. I was taught to do slow flight ~10 kts above the dirty stall speed. She wanted to see the stall light on the Cherokee steadily lit throughout the maneuvers, per PTS. It was a good test. And I was literally sweating by the end of it.
Stalls were straightforward. So we started the instrument and unusual attitude recovery section. The way she did these were really illustrative of the risks of VFR into IMC. Without giving her methods away, she gave me a full test and further opened my eyes to those risks!
After taking the foggles off, it was time to head back. Maybe I can relax a little. Crap, my engine just blew at 2,000' AGL. Looking around, there's a nice pasture with a strip mowed into it about 2 mi away. Best glide, make for the strip and go through the checklists. Set up the descent, turn base and final...just a tad high, but the flaps should take care of it. At this point, she says, "I normally tell students to go around at this point, but you've set this up perfectly. Great judgment...put this thing on the grass!" So, I did. Another soft-field landing, takeoff and great confidence boost for a soon-to-be pilot!
We went back to home airport. Did the go-around, slip to landing, etc. Then, after one of the landings, she says exit at Golf and congratulations!
It was a really fun day, albeit occasionally stressful. I'll probably go train with her more. I learned a ton and enjoyed talking with her. If anyone needs a DPE recommendation in the Dallas area, I'd be happy to suggest Carol Walker. Don't expect an easy day. But if you want a complete and fair test, she's exactly who you need.
The oral lasted about 2 hours. That part didn't make me nervous. I was prepared and we just had a conversation about flying. She was really good at distinguishing between the book answers and practical airmanship. It went well. We broke for lunch and it was time to fly.
After the preflight work and discussion about the plane, we started. The first task was the performance takeoffs and landings. They weren't perfect, but were within PTS. I let my crosswind correction slip a bit on my soft-field landing. Not bad, but I missed the centerline. She liked to see a tight pattern, so it was a bit different than my instructor. It prompted some good discussion.
Next, we departed on the planned cross country. After hitting the first couple of check points, we diverted to an alternate airport. So far, I'm feeling good.
On the way, we did steep turns. The cumulus clouds were building and it was pretty bumpy at 2,500'. The turns were some of my worst in a while. But, still within PTS. On to slow flight but frustrated with my performance.
This is where she really started testing me. I was taught to do slow flight ~10 kts above the dirty stall speed. She wanted to see the stall light on the Cherokee steadily lit throughout the maneuvers, per PTS. It was a good test. And I was literally sweating by the end of it.
Stalls were straightforward. So we started the instrument and unusual attitude recovery section. The way she did these were really illustrative of the risks of VFR into IMC. Without giving her methods away, she gave me a full test and further opened my eyes to those risks!
After taking the foggles off, it was time to head back. Maybe I can relax a little. Crap, my engine just blew at 2,000' AGL. Looking around, there's a nice pasture with a strip mowed into it about 2 mi away. Best glide, make for the strip and go through the checklists. Set up the descent, turn base and final...just a tad high, but the flaps should take care of it. At this point, she says, "I normally tell students to go around at this point, but you've set this up perfectly. Great judgment...put this thing on the grass!" So, I did. Another soft-field landing, takeoff and great confidence boost for a soon-to-be pilot!
We went back to home airport. Did the go-around, slip to landing, etc. Then, after one of the landings, she says exit at Golf and congratulations!
It was a really fun day, albeit occasionally stressful. I'll probably go train with her more. I learned a ton and enjoyed talking with her. If anyone needs a DPE recommendation in the Dallas area, I'd be happy to suggest Carol Walker. Don't expect an easy day. But if you want a complete and fair test, she's exactly who you need.