ZuluKilo

Hi all,

I am curious about how bad my situation is for making it to the majors. I've recently had a Part 135 checkride letter of disapproval. I also have a checkride bust from my instrument checkride several years back.

I started flying overseas where I passed Private, Commercial, Multi, and Instrument all the first time. Zero failures on my record from across the ocean. Unfortunately, that doesn't really help me here in the USA. Besides my logbook I have no record of my 100% pass rate.

I have held an SIC type for a turbojet for about five months and have not had a chance to use it since it was issued. Without any experience in the aircraft I went back to training to upgrade to PIC. The entire three-hour oral went very well and the entire checkride went very well also. In the last few minutes while I was on final approach my right seater suggested I use airbrake to slow down for a no-flap landing. I was only about 4 knots fast. We had both forgotten for one moment that the flap was stuck on the first notch. Not flap up. Using airbrake with any flap is a limitation bust for this particular airframe. The examiner failed me right on the spot and told me he was very disappointed because absolutely everything else went so well.

It was a very frustrating way to fail a checkride and I'm having a very difficult time with it. I've worked so hard for so long with the goal to make it to a major airline. I still have my ATP checkride ahead of me and know I can't have another fail.

With my overseas checkrides combined with my FAA checkrides I have two fails out of ten checkrides. But if one were to look only at my record here in the USA it would appear I have two fails out of 4 checkrides (assuming an SIC type check is not an official checkride).

How dire is my situation? Thanks for any info or advice in advance.

rickair7777

Two should not be any kind of showstopper in this climate.

The IR isn't a big deal, since you're new to aviation at that point and the GA training environment is pretty inconsistent.

135 can also be inconsistent, and that's well known.

Get professional interview prep so you know how to address this when the time comes. Basically, take full responsibility, don't blame others or the circumstance, succinctly tell them what you learned and how it has made you a better pilot, then shut up.

You do want to establish of a track record of training success, perhaps at a regional with a known quality program? That should be consistent and predictable. Don't fail anymore rides, so maybe avoid mon n' pop 91/135, fly-by-night 121 cargo, etc. Do the research in advance on the training program for any future job you consider.

Myfingershurt

I busted by CFII, a 121 transition program, and a 121 prof check. Still got hired at a legacy. Always own your failures in any interview. Never get defensive. The hardest part will be getting the interview. Got lucky with that part.

Dubh

I've got three.

As stated before, own it. What have you learned from the experience and how has it made you a better pilot, person, etc?
Professional interview coaching will help, especially with any anxiety, should the topic arise.

TiredSoul

You’ve given your interview answer here.
This was a judgement call and you shouldn’t have done it. Lacking experience in the actual airplane is what caused you to fail the PIC ride.

You were eager to advance and did not want to turn down the opportunity from an employer you really liked yadayadayada.
Don’t blame the seat support or the Examiner.
Was this a professional seat support as in provided by the Training organization?

OscarRomeo

What airframe is this?

Dubh

It's been a hot minute, but it could be a Hawker, if my memory serves me well...

sailingfun

That’s a bull**** bust. Should have been a debrief item if the rest of the ride was good.

TiredSoul

No,no,no.
If it’s in the Limitation section of the AFM/FCOM “thou shall not useth spoilers when flaps out of uppeth” then it is a legitimate unsatisfactory.
If it is a recommendation or a note then yes, that’s different.

My point was of seat support was provided by the Training Provider they should have never suggested speed brakes/spoilers/air brakes.

rickair7777

Yeah, if it's a limitation that's a legit bust.

If Santa Claus lets something like that slide, count yourself lucky. But don't expect it.

Nibbling at Vfe in turbulence is one thing, as long as it's quickly corrected. Reaching your hand down, pulling a handle and deliberately busting a limitation is something else.