I finally passed checkride!

texasclouds

En-Route
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
3,694
Location
Bryan, Texas
Display Name

Display name:
Mark
Two check rides cancelled due to weather. Then dpe 1 said booked up for next 3 mo. Found new one. Dpe 2 passed me on everything but landings, discontinuance due to gusty wind. Followup with dpe 2 failed from a crappy short field landing. Found a dpe (3) willing to come to me for finishing up landings. Cancelled two weeks ago due to gusty winds. Have dpe 3 rescheduled for Monday May 6. If the weather is bad, we will be cutting it real close on my 60 days to complete the ride.

I was all gung ho but currently losing steam waiting around. Kinda wishing I bought a new motorcycle instead of the $10k spent trying to get my license. Wife is no longer supporting my airplane expenses and shows no interest in flying with me. Kinda bummed out right now.
 
Chin up. Things happen that are out of our control...

The first date for my ride got cancelled due to Wx, so we were only able to complete the oral. The reschedule for the flying portion almost got cancelled due to thunderstorms. Hang in there.
 
Chin up! You'll get it done and there will be no question that it was worth it. Then you'll be able to show your wife the freedom you get with your license and she'll be right back there excited about it again! *queue cliche* Big rewards come with big hardships, but if it was so easy well, everyone would have a PPL. Want some strong taildragger pornography to help you through it?
 
The ticket is the cheapest part. Buying a plane is the second cheapest part. What's the third cheapest part?
 
The only cheap things I've seen are the 0.3 hrs plane rental when returning to the club after finding the fuel flow fluctuating on climb out, failed mag test at run up area, or negative alternator reading flying the pattern. That and the books.
 
The ticket is the cheapest part. Buying a plane is the second cheapest part. What's the third cheapest part?

The divorce settlement? No, that's the most expensive part.
 
Just goes to prove the old saying: Mother Nature Hates Checkrides! Keep at it; she'll get tired of messing with you!

-Skip
 
Don't give up! You'd kick yourself forever! Even if you don't make it in the 60 days, do it again. It will never get easier than right now since you're all practiced up. Remember, you're only one flight away from having your ticket. You can do this!
 
The only cheap things I've seen are the 0.3 hrs plane rental when returning to the club after finding the fuel flow fluctuating on climb out, failed mag test at run up area, or negative alternator reading flying the pattern.

You really shouldn't have to pay for that time - I would have refused. If the FBO is not providing an airworthy aircraft, you should not be charged for finding that out for them. Back when I was instructing at a flight school, I had to "waive" this charge a few times after such a lesson.
 
Don't give up! You'd kick yourself forever! Even if you don't make it in the 60 days, do it again. It will never get easier than right now since you're all practiced up. Remember, you're only one flight away from having your ticket. You can do this!

I know man, I'm going to push through with it. Looks like rain Monday afternoon :rolleyes:, maybe we can get her done that morning. ;)
 
You really shouldn't have to pay for that time - I would have refused. If the FBO is not providing an airworthy aircraft, you should not be charged for finding that out for them. Back when I was instructing at a flight school, I had to "waive" this charge a few times after such a lesson.

Well I did get log-able time, and the instructor did give me training on what to do in those situations. I don't mind paying. I feel sorry for the CFI that gets paid $30/hr x 0.3 = $9 to be available for several hours.
 
Yeah, hang in there. I accumulated several extra hours due to cancellations, scheduling/weather, etc.
The only difference it made was my 'checkride hours' total....which is just a number.
I was flying, so it counted as logged hours, and I would have been flying anyway for the most part (solo), so cost wasn't much different.
The hardest part was waiting to take passengers. I was ready to go a few places with people and have some fun.
Ya kaint quit now.. the best part is coming!
 
I CNX my first checkride. Wind was howling. DPE was waiting to see if I would make the right call or not to CNX. You're showing good decision making. All part of being a pilot. Go get it.... You'll be fine
 
And the verdict is?

Thanks for thinking of me. Well, the DPE was running a little late from Houston traffic. When I got to the airport at 9am the weather was 1200 scattered. Then it went to 600 sct, then IFR, then sky CLR (all within 30 minutes and the sky looked the same to me the whole time). Whew, we're going to be ok! He showed up at 10:15 am and left at 11:30am. I got to log 0.6 hrs as PIC and he gave me the golden ticket. He passed me and said I was 'a good stick'. This guy was easy to work with and encouraging. Oh yea, and he gave me a $200 discount off the agreed price. Whoop!
 
Congrats! I share the same sentiment as PaulS, grab an instructor one some really gusty days and do cross-wind landings until you get bored. You will feel much more confident!
 
Congrats- really happy for ya!

Remember wives are replaceable- the experience of flying is not!
 
Woot! You da man!

Welcome ‘officially’ to the brethren.
 
I'm going to take the wife/son up soon. Planning on making it a short XC with gentle landings and no turbulence. Wife wants to run a 1/2 marathon in Albuquerque this coming September. If she likes flying then I'll see if we can fly up there in the rental 172. By then I should have more XC flights under my belt. I will get a senior CFI to help me plan the route.
 
Back
Top