Lazy 8s do suck, but they're really not hard. Neither are the landings. You want to know what really sucks? The day after my ride, the FBO I was at sold the 172RG that I used to fail the checkride, so I had to retake in an Arrow...

Funny story about the lazy 8s. I actually took the checkride with an examiner and some guy from the FSDO who was examining my examiner (no pressure). When we got done, the FSDO guy told me that my instructor failed to explain why we learn each maneuver, which led to me not learning them correctly. We went over reasons for chandelles, stalls, steep turns, etc., and I asked what the purpose of the lazy eight was...neither of them could answer that! They really stumbled around for a while and finally said that it is designed to teach fine control of the aircraft, but man they really wanted to change the subject.

I actually agree that it is designed to teach better control, but it was funny to watch them struggle.

 

It happens and the reason it happens is because you made the fatal mistake of remembering the DE was in the plane forget about him and take it one step at a time

 

I would have agreed with you about a year ago, I hated those. But with practice they are actually pretty fun. Same with 8's on pylons, very very fun.

Hint, don't use a cow on a green pasture as a pylon.

 

do all checkrides in winds that are well below what you attempted on your first checkride. You can always get a discontinuance based on your decision not to go, this could be for anything that you don't feel will aid you in flying properly. Remember, set yourself up for success!

 

Yeah, they tend to move, lol!

When I was working on my commercial my instructor told me it was to teach coordination as the aicraft was constantly changing in pitch, bank and airpseed. They could be fun, just not at the current bank angles...

 

Today is the second ride. All I need to show is the short landing. I am going up with the instructor before the ride to break the ice. I know I will do fine.

 

Well not this time. I nailed it. He wanted to see a soft as well so we started with that. It was nice and soft on the CL of the runway. The short was a little left of the CL, but I nailed the begining of the 1000' mark. So .4 and two landings and it was done.

 

Congrats! Enjoy the rating! Everyone is always worried about finishing things quickly you forget what you paid all the money for...to fly for fun!

 

If it makes you feel any better, at least your DE gave you some chances to get it right. When I did my instrument I too smoked the oral. When it came to the practical (6 hours later. he had another check ride in between) portion, he failed me on the first question; didn't even leave the FBO! Basically, he was mad because he showed up at 4:30p instead of 6pm (like we scheduled) and I wasn't there. He called me and started yelling at me over the phone while I was on my way (running sub 5 miles at this point) to the FBO. When I go there, he made it clear that he wanted to go home but also insisted that we continue with the practical. When I missed two minor things on his maintanence logbook question, he saw that as a way out, busted me and went home. I learned later from other students that when he gets in a bad mood, nobody (zero, zilch!) passes a checkride. In addition, he was throwing a temper tantrum all over the FBO and to my instructor. Two days later, he calls to reschedule and says the scheduling problem two days before was his fault. LOL At any rate, I am sorry to hear about your checkride. But don't worry, you'll get it!! Just keep pluggin' along, buddy!

edit: oops! Didn't see that you took the CR today. Congratulations!!