Again, that all seems like a for-naught answer. The examiners don't care what you look like, really. How many of them show up in a tie? In fact, every examiner I've ever had showed up in jeans. My experience is that most people who champion the wearing of button downs and ties went to a flight academy and took very little time getting to know the person they were taking the ride with or who they were sending their students to.

The examiner knows just from talking to the student for 15 minutes how the ride is going to go. If your examiner is sitting on the john reading GQ then I'd probably find another one.

 

Think of it like a police interrogation. Do you really want to teach him how you shot the guy when all he asked for was your name?

Esa17: First impressions are always good. Granted if you walk in in a suit with papers all over versus torn apart jeans and a manila folder with all of your briefing information organized, dress doesn't matter. However, dressing up, comfortably mind you, is one way to look organized even from a distance.

I did say this, " At least khaki pants and a collared shirt." I don't think khaki's and a collared shirt is too much to ask or too uncomfortable. However, I went suit, tie, and jacket to the FAA ride from my flight instructor certification as well as for my commercial multi/single.

Dressing up shouldn't change who you are. For some though, it does have a positive impact on their attitude. In my case I feel as though what I am doing is of more importance and I don't find it uncomfortable or a hassle to put on some nice cloths.

Just IMO of course.

 

A suit would be overkill here in the South. Most people would sweat through a white shirt in no time and then they're no better off than wearing a ratty shirt. Examiners know you are nervous without seeing your pitstains. That said, I always wore a shirt and tie to my rides. Now I have to wear a tie when I'm flying so I look at it as preparation.

I always wanted to see my student wearing slacks, decent shoes and at least a polo on their checkrides. If being a professional pilot is your goal, dress for the job. Doesn't mean you need a monkey suit, just use some common sense.

 

Just for clarification when I refered to not knowing the examiner, that was in reference to the applicant not knowing the examiner. I do try to spend some time chatting with the examiners that I use and have a good sense of their likes/dislikes. Especially because I've taken a few rides personally with them myself.

 

I feel this kind of attire sets a good tone for the check rides.

 

Thanks everyone...I took the advice, and have passed my CFI-I retest. Will keep for the future.

 

I commend you with continuing to push forward through your career through all of that. Some people would have given up due to their frustration and doubt.

 

Well done!

I got here too late to add a couple of items of advice. I'm not as far along as you (I only have instrument, commercial AMEL, ASEL, and glider) but I learned that...

• The examiner can always find a reason to fail us because nobody flies perfectly. Our job is to not give him one. Aceing the oral, having all your docs ready, filling out the form properly are a good way to start. In a nutshell, help the guy feel comfortable that making you a commercial/instructor/whatever is not going to come back to haunt him.
• I've found that examiners always cut me a little slack if I briefly exceed a PTS standard, on the theory that "it's ok to be wrong, but it's not ok to stay wrong."
• I have found it useful to buy a few seconds of "thinking time" before attempting some maneuvers. There are a couple of ways to do that that worked for me. One is to say "Tell you what...I'd like to do another clearing turn first before the Vmc demo." I can do that clearing turn while my mind goes through how I'm going to perform the Vmc demo. What's he going to do, say "no?"
• Another way, if you just need a little thinking time, is to say "Let me get a little sip of water," and reach for your bottle. Again, it's a good way to prepare yourself.

Again, congratulations.

Regards,
BB

 

Congrats, and I seriously do mean good luck to you and everyone else I reply to and hopefully give "sound" advice.

I think there's quite a bit of folks like me that hope we make a positive influence on others and help create a safer and more professional environment in our world of aviation.

 

I think your instructors may be right. Remember, most examiners just want to see that your safe. And in the 4 check rides I've taken the examiner always taught me something. That's my 2 cents.