Recent Comair checkrides
 

I was wondering if anyone out there could provide a gouge on Ashley Messenger's checkride? Thanks!

I hear he/she will give you a v1 cut, a coupled ILS, a single engine ILS, a steep turn, stall or two, and maybe an inflight emergency....................all Checkrides are fairly the same dont get caught up on gouge

The reason I was asking was because everyone's checkride to this point has been really different. Some have had FMS failures with an NDB hold while others have had only to do a few coupled ILS. Stalls and steep turns were taken care of in the maneuvers validation.

NDB HOLD??????????????? thats rediculous.............

wow thats some intense training. the ironic thing is all NDB approaches in the US have been decommissioned... but you guys fly to mexico?

ALL US NDB approachs have been decommisioned???????????? what the sh*t when did this happen:(

i dunno, end of last year or beginning of this year or so

No, we currently don't fly to Mexico, though we used to. When did the FAA decomission NDB approaches?

im looking for a good source ill get back to you. i think they just slowly dropped off one by one. some NDB's are decommissioned but still in service so you can tune them, and some military bases are keeping them (navy?)

it hasn't... Only fifty or so have been decommisioned. The are going to be in the future.

ok im still looking, which airports that serve passengers still have them? maybe thats what i was thinking

there are still ndb's that serve as outer markers but i dont see any approaches, help me out

If you paid attention during training you will be fine. Know systems and performance. He produced the video on part 25 performance that you watch in ground school. He is a super nice guy and is fair.

My sim partner and I watched that video again today as part of our review. Has anyone had Mr. Messenger recently for their checkride?

Looking in my Jepps I found TVC Runway 28 is served by a NDB or GPS approach.

They shut down the NDB's at airports served by two or more approaches from different facilities I believe...

That's what I heard. There are definitely still some NDB approaches around, but I think they're becoming rarer and rarer at airports that have airline service. The dinky GA airport I fly out of still has an active ADF station on the field with two NDB approaches. It's kind of sad to see them go. They may not be the most precise approach out there (by any means of the term), but they are fun and are really great for honing those IFR skills.

I know a lot of guys who have had Messenger. Def. go over performance. I was told his orals are not that bad. Good luck.

http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0704/00626IL29.PDF

look at the notes section and the missed approach procedure...or dont, it just says ADF required and a hold at the LOM

KFRG NDB 1 is still operational; although, it is more used for flight training.

http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0704/00704N1.PDF

KSUN is has an operational NDB w/dme no less

If you r going to have a check ride you want Ashely,, i have had several with him and he is fair and good.. but u shouldnt get an NDB Approach maybe a GPS .. With AQP they have seven different profiles and they pick one.. on the MV that is where u need to watch out.. Goodluck!:D

Hey, it's a little off topic but I would appreciate some info about the details of training at Comair. Things like pay during training, length of time and order of things that would be different from normal, single or double occupancy.

Thanks

Yeah, but if you are good . . .it's a no brainer.

ellen does your airline require you to fly NDB's on your checkride?

KTTN- Trenton NJ. NDB 6 Comair and Clipper Express go in there, maybe ASA too?

La Crosse, Thief River Falls and Marquette come to mind. We have others in the Mesaba Saab as well. NDB approaches are alive and well...at least for the T-prop drivers.

It's not about requiring one . . .it's about being a good pilot. When you are in a jet cockpit and have ADF needle and VOR needle overlay (it's one of the MOST SIMPLE) things to do . . including an NDB approach to minimums IN A CROSSWIND. Those of you that have that skill (Lakers, Big Sky and MESA guys) know what I am talking about.

ok so if i choose to use the fms to do that for me, does that mean i lack skill, or is that me being SMART about it. similarly, just because i dont fly jet airways using vors and manually tuned courses, doesnt mean i lack the skill to flyon that airway. im failing to see your point

No have you ever heard of AQP...... no steep turns, none of that......

I'll spell it out for you. A-B-C-D . . . .
When everything goes to hell in a handbasket, a PROFESSIONAL pilot should be able to perform one of the most simple maneuvers with a fair amount of precision, accuracy and safety. I'm not saying that you shouldn't use the FMS, but if that's all you know how to do, you will be resting 6 feet under when it decides to malfunction.

A lot of airlines dont have NDB's in their OpSpecs and they are every bit as professional. If my airplane's only available navigation equipment is an ADF due to some catastrophic failure, guess what i got bigger issues, because I guarantee you I wont be flying an NDB approach to some podunk airport I cant even navigate to!

I did and NDB approach for my Comair initial back in early 2005. We have done Cancun on the 700 recently. We don't currently go anyplace in Mexico on the 50 but I believe we still have the opspecs for it.

As for doing an NDB hold on a checkride, that is slight overkill. I didn't even hold once ont eh checkride, jsut told the guy how I was going to enter it.

Remember your in a sim on your checkride, so get slowed up a little early and give yourself more time to take care of the important things. No need to rush.

It's not about the airlines, it's about the pilot.

Most Part 121 airlines would only use an NDB in an emergency situation.

well said ellen. you win this round :):mad: