Flight Training - July 2021 - 14

PREFLIGHT CHECKRIDE
BY NATALIE BINGHAM HOOVER
IN THE HOT SEAT
APPLICANTS HAVE RIGHTS, TOO
" YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN
silent. Anything you say can and
will be used against you.... " That's
how most episodes of Dragnet, my
favorite old-time crime drama,
ended. The criminals rarely seemed
to appreciate those rights, though, if
their sullen faces were any indication.
Checkride applicants often
report feeling like that handcuffed
person, suddenly thrust into a situation
where they are at the mercy
of the FAA's testing process and the
mighty examiner. So, let me be like
Dragnet's Sgt. Joe Friday and advise
you of your rights as an applicant.
There are many, and you should be
familiar with them:
pilot-such as a history of alcohol
or drug violations.
During the ground portion, or
" oral exam, " I always advise my
applicants they are free to leave
at any time if they need water or
a restroom break. Granted, if you
take a break so you can go ask your
instructor the answer to that problem
you've been struggling with,
and that might create a problem.
Also, the test is open book, so you
have the right to use your resources.
Exactly how much will be up to the
examiner, but here's how it typically
works. If you cannot remember a
detail, you can use any of the official
texts mentioned in the airman cerIN
THE AIR, REMEMBER YOU ARE PILOT IN
COMMAND, SO BY ALL MEANS, ASSERT
YOUR RIGHT TO STAY WITHIN YOUR
COMFORT LEVEL.
First, you have the right to
choose your examiner. Your instructor
or the flight school may have
an examiner they typically use, but
keep in mind that you are the paying
applicant and have the right to
choose the examiner you feel most
comfortable with.
Next, on checkride day, the
examiner will advise you of the
Pilot's Bill of Rights, which is
actually the right to know you are
under investigation by the FAA.
Once you pass your checkride, the
examiner will print you a paper
temporary pilot certificate, valid
for 120 days. But before the FAA
mails your permanent certificate
card, it conduct an investigation to
make sure there is nothing in your
past that might make you an unsafe
14
FLIGHT TRAINING JULY 2021
tification standards, like the federal
aviation regulations, Aeronautical
Information Manual, or the pilot's
operating handbook. However, I
do not allow resources to be used
if we are discussing an in-flight
scenario, like right of way rules. If
an airplane is coming at you head
on, there will not be a pause button
so you can take the time to look up
the regulation. Also, you have the
right to deliberate over your answer
or use scratch paper to jot down an
acronym. There's no time limit to
your answers.
In the air, remember you are
pilot in command, so by all means,
assert your right to stay within your
comfort level. If the examiner asks
for touch and goes, but you would
like full-stop landings, be sure to
speak up. On several checkrides,
I have informed applicants that
we have a simulated engine fire, to
which they reply, " Do you actually
want me to cut off the mixture? "
My response is always one of horror.
Why would anyone be willing
to put their life in danger simply
to appease a deranged examiner?
One would hope the examiner
always has safety as the number
one priority, but if this is ever not
the case, you absolutely have the
right to demand it. In the same
vein, you have the right to end the
flight at any time. If you feel ill or
if the turbulence is worse than
you expected, you can discontinue
the flight and return to the
airport. One note here, though: If
you chose to put that airplane in
the air, you must be able to land
it again unassisted. Your decision
making is also being tested, so if
you have to ask the examiner to
land the airplane because you've
taken off in wind that was beyond
your current level of ability, he
or she will get you safely back on
the ground, then likely send you
back to your instructor for more
training.
As someone who has been
in the hot seat many times as
a checkride applicant, I know
that uncomfortable sensation of
feeling like a hostage to the exam
process. But remember, as the
applicant, you have many rights,
including the right to a fair and
safe checkride with an examiner
who will treat you with respect.
NATALIE BINGHAM HOOVER is a
designated pilot examiner working
primarily in Mississippi and Tennessee.
See myaviation101.com for helpful
checkride resources.
http://www.myaviation101.com
Flight Training - July 2021

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