Passed ATP checkride!

Tristar

Pattern Altitude
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Apr 7, 2005
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Tristar
(For friends on facebook, ignore double post)

I was asked a few months ago if I had thought about getting my ATP. I knew the rule was changing so I had planned on getting the written done. My company really wanted all who was capable of getting it to go ahead and at least get the written done but I figured that would be it. Most of us don't get the rest of it done until you're sent to Flight Safety so it shocked me when they offered the flight training. Of course I said yes. The flight is essentially a PIC ride. As an SIC, even though we change seats during our revenue flights, we don't handle everything without the other pilots help. So over the last couple flights, I had been asking the other pilots to let me practice doing everything which really helped. Yes, it's only running checklists, radios, and GPS but it can still be more than expected at times. I was given 2 training flights in the King Air 90 and a little over 3 hours hobbs time with mostly single engine approach work. I was given the green light earlier this week and scheduled checkride for Thursday. I don't care how many times you take a checkride, the butterflies don't go away.

The examiner did a great job of setting me at ease that morning. I passed the oral fine. We took off and did our practice area stuff; stalls, steep turns, and unusual attitudes. Next was approach after approach. RNAV approach autopilot coupled. Crazy airplane was having trouble making the 90 degree turns so I took it off autopilot and got back on course flying it through the T inbound then recoupled it. It behaved itself then. I hand flew an ILS to a missed into a hold. With a GTN 750, it's easy. Then an ILS single engine hand flown into a single engine missed. Last was just another ILS to a full stop. We also did a single engine failure soon after takeoff. Those are my achilles heals with heading. The examiner was great and said that the one I did was passable but he'd like to do another and give me a tip. Apparently I'm staring too much at Vyse instead of watching heading and don't be afraid to look out the window and follow your runway if you have it. Next one, "Perfect! You didn't move an inch!"

So in the debrief, he said I had a great checkride and there were just minor things to go over such as slowing down a bit upon entering approaches and the heading thing on the single engine after departure. He said my steep turns were better than he could do and stalls were to 50 ft. If I had moved power a touch quicker, they would have been 0. Great job taking over when autopilot wasn't cooperating, single engine ILS was textbook, checklist usage was great, and the other approaches looked fine. Over all, I did a great job.

So now I am in possession of a temporary ATP certificate!
 

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Excellent! Congratulations! We just got word that a Twin Comanche is available to prep for my ride....not quite a King Air, but I'm footing the bill! Thanks for the encouragement!
 
Good luck! Don't feel bad, there aren't many that can foot the bill on a king air. I don't know the price exactly but I've heard $800/hr rental is a good guess. I did pay for the examiner though.
 
As I said on FB, CONGRATULATIONS! Now go rub David White's nose in it! Part 135 in a 207! "Big Iron!" LOL! (Yes, I know he's joking!)

Actually, I'm very impressed by BOTH of you! You've both worked hard for it!
 
Congrats!!! Now make some plans to bring that sexy King Air and yourself to Gaston's to hang out with us regular pilots!
 
Haha! They'd have a heart attack if I tried taking it to gastons! The other pilots and I talk about how neat it would be to try a grass landing/ takeoff with it. A lot of Nebraskas airports have one as a second runway. Not sure how I feel about the trees on the end at gastons though.
 
Haha! They'd have a heart attack if I tried taking it to gastons! The other pilots and I talk about how neat it would be to try a grass landing/ takeoff with it. A lot of Nebraskas airports have one as a second runway. Not sure how I feel about the trees on the end at gastons though.

Dan Gryder stuck a DC-3 in there. I would think a KA would be easier. :yes::D
 
It sounds like you did a great job! Congratulations.

Abram Finkelstein
N48KY
 
That's badass. Congrats!!!
 
Hey, if Tristan commits to going to Gaston's this year, I'll skip the 99's convention in KY to attend!

If that doesn't get her there, nothing will! LOL
 
Unfortunately I don't have the means to rent a plane or the time to drive down and back but I do miss everyone!
 
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