Thanks everyone for the advice, I really appreciate it.
Originally Posted by
III Corps
First off, NO ONE should sit for an 8hr oral. I couldn't talk for 8hrs much less answer questions for 8hrs. For all my checks and giving checks, no oral over about 2hrs and that was with a true dipstick who wanted to show me how much HE knew.
My flight portion of the checkride, which I passed no problem, was 3 hours long. Two DEs that I know of said that they have never even heard of a CFI initial ride being that long...and I was better than PTS standards and was doing everything good, even the FAA fed that gave it to me said that it was a good checkride. Maybe strung it out hoping he'd bust me on something, I don't know, but I am still talked about around the school.
Originally Posted by
III Corps
The other non-standards seem to indicate workload problems. ie.. getting so involved in the moment that the next step is missed. Pacing and workload are very important.
I assume you are mentally flying these sorties before going to the airplane, right?
I had that problem early on, and will once in a while I occasionally reach my limit...which is always under IFR, trying to copy an ATC clearance, intercept a course (worse, ILS), trying to "teach" what is going on, checklist, etc. As for mentally doing these sorties before going in the airplane, I do as best as I can, though like on my CFII, I was made aware of the approaches we'd be doing about 15 minutes prior to departure, so I did as best as I could at mentally flying them.
Originally Posted by
rickair7777
You might be a legit case of checkride-itis.
Since you probably have good piloting skills, here's an idea to deal with that: find an examiner who will give you the plan for the entire checkride on the ground and let YOU execute it in flight. Then you should try to ignore him and just conduct the flight. That way you're not getting distracted trying to interact with the examiner.
This worked for some non-aviation military training I used to do, haven't tried it in aviation.
Thanks for the advice, maybe I can bring this up on my recheck.
Originally Posted by
floydbird
Couple observations...I'll bet you aren't busting checkrides for making "one small error". Perhaps a more honest of your performance is in order? In my experience, the error that ends a checkride is not the first/only error made on the ride...usually, there are a multitude of errors that have occurred during the process...the applicant merely siezes on the last error made and determines that "small error" is what caused the bust.
Second, a point of common sense in test taking, stop "getting a DE and FAA fed on things they didn't know". Showing someone up who is in the position of evaluating you just isn't wise.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
My flying is good, other than a very occasional PTS deviation, which I detect and correct immediately (like heading 15 degrees off, or altitude will stray beyond 100ft). When these things do happen, its almost always due to some distraction, which I have successfully reduced.
As far as showing a DE and FAA fed up...I don't do that, or even try to (I just hope I don't come across that way, either). I just simply tell what I know, though I do have a slight controvery over this; do I say something that is correct but can dig a hole, or do I just say the common answer and see what happens? Example, I was asked on my CFII how many NOTAMs there are. I have always been told/taught from multiple CFIs that there are two, FDC notams, and distant notams (NOTAM L too, but those are gone now). Actually, I know from studying the AIM, that there are four. The DE that did my CFII is extremely smart, and gives amazing advice, afterall, he's been a CFI for 30+ years. When I told him 4 (again, trying to explain what I know), he looked that the AIM, and was like, "wow, you got me." But understood, I wouldn't want to talk back to someone with authority, definately not wise.
Originally Posted by
Bons
Remember every examiners job out there is to teach the student. I've seen students do well on the oral and become almost pompous about it because the examiner can't stump them. Thats fine but make sure there is that line of authority. Some examiners are high on their horse and don't like that authority compromised. Be modest in the oral exam and make darn sure your flying is stone cold better than PTS. If your instructor is good, they will know when your ready. I knew a guy that failed 8 checkrides and now works a corporate flying job in beech 19's. You'll get hired somewhere..
Thanks for the advice. I always learn something on checkrides, and definelty like that aspect of them. As far as I know, I fly within the PTS standards, even better at times, other than as I explained above, the rare instance where I deviate, but always correct it.