Flight Training - October 2011 - 6

RIGHT SEAT

By Ian J. Twombly
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A PROPER FLOGGING
SURVIVING YOUR CHECKRIDE
earning to fly would be so much more fun if checkrides weren’t involved. I’ve come to that fairly obvious conclusion after taking seven of the things. My aviation life would be complete if I never again had to fork over hundreds of dollars to an examiner for the privilege of being flogged for a few hours.
Every pilot either has a checkride horror story, or knows a few pilots who do. These are often wonderful fish stories, growing in wretched detail with each hangar retelling. Some are no doubt truthful and indeed unsettling, while others can be chalked up to the fear or anxiety the applicant felt during the inquisition. As you’ll read in this month’s feature, “Do Over,” beginning on page 34, the majority of applicants do pass their private pilot checkride on the first try. And if you’re talking to a pilot about his or her checkride failure, remember that you’re talking to a certificated pilot. They eventually passed. That’s one of the best parts of the entire pilot certification process. There are mulligans. Blow the short-field landing? Try again another day. Overshoot the runway on the emergency landing demonstration? Give it another shot next time. I’ve heard of some rare pilots requiring four tries to eventually pass the test. But the pain of those three previous failures was probably wiped away in the instant that new pilot was handed his temporary certificate. Because in the end, the only things we’re gambling on a checkride are our pride, some time, and any additional money the examiner requires for a retest. The object, of course, is to pass. That’s why we offer up “Do Over” this month. It’s an examination of the task areas we applicants don’t do very well on. By identifying these areas, you can make double sure you are prepared to master them on the checkride day. The task areas represent specific items in the practical test standards, another positive aspect of the exam. FAA checkrides are open-book affairs—read the PTS religiously well before the test so you’ll know exactly what will be covered. Don’t rely on an oral exam guide; great study materials, but not meant to replace the FAA’s own open source of information. My advice? Be overprepared, and don’t rush to take the test as soon as you possibly can. I can tell you from first-hand experience that it won’t end well. If all else fails, take the advice of a pilot-friend with a perfect checkride record. “Wear a tie,” he said. ••• This month marks the end of an era for Flight Training. Longtime columnist Ralph Butcher has decided to move on to a new chapter in his life. I have the utmost respect for Ralph. His long and varied flying career, which included stints with the Army, the airlines, and as a career flight instructor and flight school chief, is just the beginning of the story. What I really respect about Ralph, and what I’ll miss, is his ability to make sense of the entire flight training process in a unique and clear way. So it was a surprise, but not out of character, when a few months ago Ralph wrote a brief note saying he was planning to retire, when he was going to do it, and why. Ralph’s going out on top, his way. Enjoy retirement, Ralph, and thanks.
E-mail Deputy Editor Ian Twombly at ian.twombly@ aopa.org; Twitter: ijtwombly; and visit Flight Training on Facebook.

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Flight Training - October 2011

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