Flight Training - May 2024 - 25

everything I could, including full flaps
and a forward slip, to pass that task. Now,
as an FAA designated examiner myself,
I see this " good enough " mentality all
the time. Let's talk through some of the
situations where applicants commonly let
their efforts slide.
Maneuvers: If the altitude standard
in slow flight and steep turns (for
private pilot) is plus/minus 100 feet,
then you want to immediately correct
any deviation trends. (I'm not talking
about constantly jockeying with the
power during turbulence). It's all right to
momentarily fall outside of that hundred
feet as long as you are making a correction.
What is not acceptable is dropping
200 or 300 feet with no adjustment. Don't
forget that airspeed and heading are also
part of the certification standards, so keep
those in your scan as well.
Traffic pattern operations: There
are two main problems here. The first is
centerline drift on both takeoff and landing.
The interesting thing is that some
applicants will let the airplane land five
feet left of centerline every time. To
me, that consistency shows that they
are landing the airplane exactly where
they intend to. They just don't think the
FAA is that serious about the part of the
standard that says the airplane must be
" aligned with the center of the runway. "
As you get into larger aircraft, if you're
not in the habit of putting that nose
wheel on the centerline, you may end up
dangerously close to the edge. Also, spot
landings aren't negotiable. The standards
say that both short field
and normal landings must be within
a certain number of feet on or beyond
the point of intended landing. While it
is rare that applicants land before the
spot, many think they can land well
beyond. I've said this before: I don't have
electronic eyes that can tell a 10-foot
difference, but I can certainly see if you
land 500 feet long. Don't leave the outcome
in the hands of the examiner. You
have the control to get it right or
go around.
So how do we get ourselves into this
gameday mentality? Ohtani is famous for
his work ethic during practice; he's constantly
aiming higher, fixing minor issues
with his swing that no one else even
noticed. So, during your lessons, challenge
yourself to be better. Don't accept
a 75-foot deviation. Shoot for 50, then 25.
If you practice this way, you will be more
than prepared to ace your checkride. No,
the FAA does not demand perfection, but
it can certainly be your goal.
NATALIE BINGHAM HOOVER began flying in
2004. After corporate and airline work, she
now serves as an FAA designated examiner
and chief instructor of a flight school in
Mississippi.
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Flight Training - May 2024

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