GauzeGuy
Pre-takeoff checklist
Had my check ride today. I'm now 3/4th's of a pilot. 
Started out with the usual paperwork and money side of things. Fun, fun.
Got the oral portion going, he started with asking questions related to the PTS areas of special emphasis: runway incursion avoidance, mid-airs, etc, etc. All of that was pretty easy.
He addressed questions related to systems (fuel and electrical in particular), airspace issues, lost communications and lost procedures. Reviewed the flight plan (KAPA to KSAF) and had a few questions regarding that.
The main thing I was surprised about was how easy it really was. The time went by quickly, I wasn't perfect but I made a strong effort to answer all of the questions without going too far into depth. I had to keep myself in check to avoid saying too much as to get into trouble.
The 3 things that he reviewed with me were finding out about AD's, preflight information (got most of it, missed a couple things) and finally dealing with inop items on an aircraft (I incorrectly said that I would not need to placard nav lights as inop during the day). Other than that, he was pretty happy.
Then the flight portion started. Did the preflight, he pretty well left me alone for that part. We took off, started out on the route I planned, and once in the air he asked a couple of very basic questions (point to the sectional where you are right now, describe how to navigate towards a VOR). He then said the navigation part was complete and to find a place to do a steep turn. I got us over to the practice area, verbalized the altitude requirements for maneuvers, did a steep turn (not pretty, but passing). Was very careful to do clearing turns, which went over well. He had me do slow flight with a right turn (again, not pretty but passing), followed by a power off stall. Got altitude back, did hood work, a power on stall and then turns around a point. The power off stall was so-so (forgot to remove carb heat! Derp.) The turn around a point was... okay. I went around a few times, I feel I was pretty lucky that he didn't pink slip me right then and there. It was windy and turbulent, so I feel that the conditions bought me a bit more tolerance than I would have had otherwise. Nonetheless, it was passing so he had me head back for landings.
Once almost back in the pattern, I got a weird set of instructions that I read back incorrectly and almost followed (tower didn't correct me on the read back) and fortunately the DPE asked me if I was sure about what I was about to do. I requested clarification from the tower, which he gave in a rather perturbed manner, lol. While the ATIS indicated calm winds, the actual winds were anything but. There was a nice gusting crosswind, wind shear, etc, that caused me to go around the first time (which I had to do anyway, so no worries). Then when downwind the tower mentioned winds were calm midfield with a strong gusting crosswind in the 20's at the approach and departure end. I decided I had enough of trying to meet PTS standards in conditions I hardly ever fly in and decided to discontinue.
So, I just need reasonable weather to do 3 takeoffs and landings. Hopefully that will occur soon, but its nice to know that a few trips around the pattern should do it!
Anyway, I definitely found that getting set up with a DPE who was known to be laid back was quite helpful. Relaxing is a very good idea during both the oral and flight portions. Furthermore, I'd definitely emphasize that staying in the fight even when things aren't going well is a plus. He was more than willing to accept borderline performance as long as corrections were occurring. Additionally, he mentioned that he was very happy that I was verbalizing everything during the flying portion, I also made a point to use checklists extensively when possible. As mentioned before, the clearing turns were helpful to my cause as well.
I didn't believe it at first, but what they said about being over prepared is true. I felt that my instructor and the CFI who did my stage check were a lot more difficult than the DPE was. If you CFI feels you are ready to go, then relax and walk into the ride with confidence that you will do well!
Started out with the usual paperwork and money side of things. Fun, fun.
Got the oral portion going, he started with asking questions related to the PTS areas of special emphasis: runway incursion avoidance, mid-airs, etc, etc. All of that was pretty easy.
He addressed questions related to systems (fuel and electrical in particular), airspace issues, lost communications and lost procedures. Reviewed the flight plan (KAPA to KSAF) and had a few questions regarding that.
The main thing I was surprised about was how easy it really was. The time went by quickly, I wasn't perfect but I made a strong effort to answer all of the questions without going too far into depth. I had to keep myself in check to avoid saying too much as to get into trouble.
The 3 things that he reviewed with me were finding out about AD's, preflight information (got most of it, missed a couple things) and finally dealing with inop items on an aircraft (I incorrectly said that I would not need to placard nav lights as inop during the day). Other than that, he was pretty happy.
Then the flight portion started. Did the preflight, he pretty well left me alone for that part. We took off, started out on the route I planned, and once in the air he asked a couple of very basic questions (point to the sectional where you are right now, describe how to navigate towards a VOR). He then said the navigation part was complete and to find a place to do a steep turn. I got us over to the practice area, verbalized the altitude requirements for maneuvers, did a steep turn (not pretty, but passing). Was very careful to do clearing turns, which went over well. He had me do slow flight with a right turn (again, not pretty but passing), followed by a power off stall. Got altitude back, did hood work, a power on stall and then turns around a point. The power off stall was so-so (forgot to remove carb heat! Derp.) The turn around a point was... okay. I went around a few times, I feel I was pretty lucky that he didn't pink slip me right then and there. It was windy and turbulent, so I feel that the conditions bought me a bit more tolerance than I would have had otherwise. Nonetheless, it was passing so he had me head back for landings.
Once almost back in the pattern, I got a weird set of instructions that I read back incorrectly and almost followed (tower didn't correct me on the read back) and fortunately the DPE asked me if I was sure about what I was about to do. I requested clarification from the tower, which he gave in a rather perturbed manner, lol. While the ATIS indicated calm winds, the actual winds were anything but. There was a nice gusting crosswind, wind shear, etc, that caused me to go around the first time (which I had to do anyway, so no worries). Then when downwind the tower mentioned winds were calm midfield with a strong gusting crosswind in the 20's at the approach and departure end. I decided I had enough of trying to meet PTS standards in conditions I hardly ever fly in and decided to discontinue.
So, I just need reasonable weather to do 3 takeoffs and landings. Hopefully that will occur soon, but its nice to know that a few trips around the pattern should do it!
Anyway, I definitely found that getting set up with a DPE who was known to be laid back was quite helpful. Relaxing is a very good idea during both the oral and flight portions. Furthermore, I'd definitely emphasize that staying in the fight even when things aren't going well is a plus. He was more than willing to accept borderline performance as long as corrections were occurring. Additionally, he mentioned that he was very happy that I was verbalizing everything during the flying portion, I also made a point to use checklists extensively when possible. As mentioned before, the clearing turns were helpful to my cause as well.
I didn't believe it at first, but what they said about being over prepared is true. I felt that my instructor and the CFI who did my stage check were a lot more difficult than the DPE was. If you CFI feels you are ready to go, then relax and walk into the ride with confidence that you will do well!
