SDFCVOH's Flight training thread.

Yeah! Passed my instrument written this morning. My head feels like its on fire.

I want to meet some of the people that make those test questions up. Dear lord, what are they thinking with the wording of some of that stuff:confused:.
 
I still need to take mine. Was it hard? :)

I thought it was tough. Compared to the PPL, this one for some reason just kept stumping me. I was shooting for 90's before I went for the real one, but gave up and just bit the bullet this morning. Passed it - but I really felt anxious when I clicked that final "ok".

I really think, although not for this thread, that there should be some better oversight as to the wording of questions. Hey - look for another new and improved thread....
 
I thought it was tough. Compared to the PPL, this one for some reason just kept stumping me. I was shooting for 90's before I went for the real one, but gave up and just bit the bullet this morning. Passed it - but I really felt anxious when I clicked that final "ok".

I really think, although not for this thread, that there should be some better oversight as to the wording of questions. Hey - look for another new and improved thread....

Congrats!

Keep in mind that in essence you are cramming the information so no fault of your own that the absorption rate is low. If you spent a semester taking Instrument ground school at a college or even a 6 week class I'm sure your retention in understanding would greatly improve.
 
So although I'm done with the "official" part of my IFR training... Today, yesterday, and tomorrow have all been true IMC conditions around Tucson. A once in 5 year situation I guess!

I flew in the soup last friday and saturday. Compared with all the other days its really different when flying with ceiling of 6000 agl. We still kept at the vfr mins. But it started getting worst as we were going back to the airport KTUS.
 
Today was my Instrument Checkride. It went really well until the NDB approach . . .

The oral portion was good, although I felt a bit overwhelmed during a lot of it. I thought we really dived in deep, and the examiner did a great job of showing me a couple of special items which I had no clue of. I think that no matter how many questions you get right, the examiners have some "special" questions they'll always pull out. Okay with me - more learnin'.

The plane we were using had its 100hr yesterday, and maintenance was rushing to get it going for me today. Cudos to our rockin' mechs, as they squeaked it in right under the wire. (The examiner and I taxied from the bay practically.)

Starting out on the flying portion, it was pretty busy around the field today. We took off and were promptly told that the initial approach we had planned wouldn't happen. We got vectors to another approach (no "own nav" today with traffic.) and I proceeded to make Wilbur and Orville turn over in their graves with my version of an NDB approach. I'm still not sure if it was me or the plane smoking crack, but it was ugly. Altitudes were good, but I just could not track that NDB course in. Tower had me turn left out of the pattern about a mile from MDA, and that was it.

The examiner allowed me to choose whether to go on or not, and although every inch of me was screaming to get out of the plane, I decided it was best to keep going.

We then proceeded onto a Localizer approach, one which I had never done before. "I really wasn't ready for this," I thought. But it went great. I think I was still in shock from the mess up on the NDB, and almost made a couple of really stupid mistakes. But it turned out well. We went missed and started to get vectors out to the ILS.

All of a sudden the examiner says, "I have the controls." What the #@$^@#% I thought. "Today isn't my day." But, I'd forgotten we were still going to do unusual attitudes. I seriously about soiled myself when he said "My controls." So, the unusual attitudes went great. I love them. Almost as much as practicing hood stalls at night (another story). But fun.

The final to full stop approach was the ILS, which I'd say I put a nail in. Seriously, ILS approaches are a blast. At minimums the hood came off and we touched down.

So, although it was a pink slip day:banghead: it wasn't all bad. I've nailed the NDB/DME a dozen times, but today was not one of those! I'm going back up to shoot the NDB on Friday with him, and plan to nail that one. So wish me luck.

thanks for reading . . .
 
Yeah - its a bummer. But I'm up with the examiner tomorrow morning to shoot that NDB/DME approach again and I hope my mind works correctly this time! Still not sure exactly why I was so far off. I've nailed that one a dozen times.

I feel as prepared as possible at this point. I guess another couple hundred hours wouldn't hurt:D, but it would hurt the piggy bank! Since part of the flight portion yesterday included me shooting an approach (non-precision) that I'd never done before, and nailing it; I guess I feel like I'm up to it and get the whole concept. I don't think I ever want to shoot an approach "blind" again never having looked at the plate before. That was stressful!

sorry to hear about your pink slip, maybe you're pushing it a little bit too fast? :confused:
 
I thought NDB's are not required on checkrides anymore?

Yeah - its a bummer. But I'm up with the examiner tomorrow morning to shoot that NDB/DME approach again and I hope my mind works correctly this time! Still not sure exactly why I was so far off. I've nailed that one a dozen times.
 
So how did it go today? And don't worry about your pink slip. It's just another learning experience! I busted on my commercial oral, and it didn't stop me from getting hired somewhere. It sure feels good to get that hood off for a while after your IR...
 
. . . and the word is . . . EQUIPMENT FAILURE!!!!

So this morning I get together with my CFI, and we decide we'll shoot the approach a couple of times before I get together with the examiner. We discussed my feelings about why my approach was so far off, and for the life of me, I can't come up with a good reason. I thought I was tracking it in spot on. So, with that in mind, and me double guessing myself for the last two nights thinking I've got a problem with NDB's, up we go.

On the way out to the hold point, we start to lose DME. We were about at the point of the hold when we lost it, tracking the NDB bearing spot on, and guessing we're on top of the hold point we call up approach. Here's the play by play:
"Tucson Approach, N5215D request."
"15D, Approach."
"We've lost DME, request DME from TUCSON VOR and WHITN"
"15D, 22 miles from TUS. THREE MILES NORTH of WHITN!!!!!!"
"Approach, please reconfirm 15D's location."
"15D, you are 22.1 miles, 3 miles north of WHITN."
"Approach, 15D request freq change, VFR to RYN."
"15D, freq change approved, RYN 125.8."
"Over to RYN, thanks, 15D."

The look on my CFI's face said it all. I busted my check ride because the freakin' ADF on the plane was incorrect. We headed back to RYN, talked to the examiner about the situation, and rescheduled the NDB approach for next week after maintenance gets a look at the plane.

Guess what, I'm instrument qualified, but the plane wasn't ready for the task. Its great to know that the last two nights laying awake wondering why I screwed up that NDB approach had nothing to do with me. So I get to go back up again next week to do that NDB approach again. It is a big relief. But ... I'm also going to sit down with the school and have a serious talk with management about how they will cut the check for the second ride for me out of their wallet - I will not pay for it out of my pocket. I know its maybe not a big deal, but if by chance I can get through the rest of this without a pink, I'll always have one that I didn't deserve. I'm a bit miffed right now.:mad:

But I'm flying:).:D.:panic:.:hiya:
 
. . . and the word is . . . EQUIPMENT FAILURE!!!!

So this morning I get together with my CFI, and we decide we'll shoot the approach a couple of times before I get together with the examiner. We discussed my feelings about why my approach was so far off, and for the life of me, I can't come up with a good reason. I thought I was tracking it in spot on. So, with that in mind, and me double guessing myself for the last two nights thinking I've got a problem with NDB's, up we go.

On the way out to the hold point, we start to lose DME. We were about at the point of the hold when we lost it, tracking the NDB bearing spot on, and guessing we're on top of the hold point we call up approach. Here's the play by play:
"Tucson Approach, N5215D request."
"15D, Approach."
"We've lost DME, request DME from TUCSON VOR and WHITN"
"15D, 22 miles from TUS. THREE MILES NORTH of WHITN!!!!!!"
"Approach, please reconfirm 15D's location."
"15D, you are 22.1 miles, 3 miles north of WHITN."
"Approach, 15D request freq change, VFR to RYN."
"15D, freq change approved, RYN 125.8."
"Over to RYN, thanks, 15D."

The look on my CFI's face said it all. I busted my check ride because the freakin' ADF on the plane was incorrect. We headed back to RYN, talked to the examiner about the situation, and rescheduled the NDB approach for next week after maintenance gets a look at the plane.

Guess what, I'm instrument qualified, but the plane wasn't ready for the task. Its great to know that the last two nights laying awake wondering why I screwed up that NDB approach had nothing to do with me. So I get to go back up again next week to do that NDB approach again. It is a big relief. But ... I'm also going to sit down with the school and have a serious talk with management about how they will cut the check for the second ride for me out of their wallet - I will not pay for it out of my pocket. I know its maybe not a big deal, but if by chance I can get through the rest of this without a pink, I'll always have one that I didn't deserve. I'm a bit miffed right now.:mad:

But I'm flying:).:D.:panic:.:hiya:

Nice. Been passively keeping up with your posts, and sorry to hear about the bust. BUT...nice to know that it wasn't your technique.

Been keeping my head in the CFII studies over the past month. When you get there and study the FOI's....go back and look at this post and you are going to laugh.

Projection, rationalization:

Projection:

"But ... I'm also going to sit down with the school and have a serious talk with management about how they will cut the check for the second ride for me out of their wallet - I will not pay for it out of my pocket."

Rationalization / Projection:

"Its great to know that the last two nights laying awake wondering why I screwed up that NDB approach had nothing to do with me. So I get to go back up again next week to do that NDB approach again."

:laff:

CPRDRFAR
 
Instrument Rating

Instrument handshake.

The last month seems like a blur. From being sick through most of the training, moving, and trying to adjust (never happened) to nights... whew.

This morning, after rescheduling three time b/c of equipment craziness, I finally got back into the plane with the FAA. I don't know why, but I feel a lot less excited than when I got the PPL handshake. Must be the stress I put on myself from the instrument failure that caused my first ride failure.

Today was great, though. I don't want to make it seem like I'm not absolutely ecstatic about getting my IR. I just think that I'm letting off stress from the last week (plus) and its coming out unlike the "yeeeehawww!" that I'm really feeling.

Right now I'm looking forward to getting into my Commercial rating around the beginning of the year. In another while I'll look back at this portion and chuckle. I'm sure (after talking to a buddy thats in "real" jet transition right now - today!) that I'll look back and laugh at myself. But today... I'm glad I'm done with what I did today.

If you are reading this, and you want to get into flying. Do it. Flying, if it is in your heart, is a dream. I'm living that dream, too. But, don't come into this with the attitude that red roses and white carnations line the walkway. ##### will happen. It is important that you deal with the poo that unregulated monkeys fling at you like you deal with spilled milk. Don't cry over it. Deal with it. Maybe get P.O'd. But deal with it. And when you are dealing with it, do it in a way that you are preparing yourself for tomorrow - because it will be here before you know it. Jeez - that sounds so horrible! Its really not that bad. I'm freakin' flying! Sorry if I bummed any one out.:rolleyes:

Hey - I got the Instrument handshake this morning. Maybe I need a martini. Anyone?!
 
Wow congratulations! Your progress has been really remarkable! Looking forward to your stories from the Commercial training!:)
 
Re: Instrument Rating

Hey - I got the Instrument handshake this morning. Maybe I need a martini. Anyone?!

sure. congratulations! I thought I was gonna beat ya :D
I doubt I'll get mine before January, but that's fine, gotta let these holidays pass, spend some quality time and recharge a little bit ;)
 
I will probably begin with a very classy first line... something like: say, sweet thing, can I buy you a fish sandwich? :D

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I use that line ALL the time (when I'm being smooooth and trying t'chat up the wife :bandit:)...

Leon Phelps... Ladies Man.. smooth operator.... box of favourite Mexican wine, and plastic flowers ! hahahahahahaha too funny that someone else uses it too !!!!!

Sometime in the near future, when you and I are up flying for an airline, and I think I hear your voice on the radio, I'm gonna call that fish sandwich line out, and you'll respond, so I'll know its you :D
 
Re: Instrument Rating

Instrument handshake.

The last month seems like a blur. From being sick through most of the training, moving, and trying to adjust (never happened) to nights... whew.

This morning, after rescheduling three time b/c of equipment craziness, I finally got back into the plane with the FAA. I don't know why, but I feel a lot less excited than when I got the PPL handshake. Must be the stress I put on myself from the instrument failure that caused my first ride failure.

Today was great, though. I don't want to make it seem like I'm not absolutely ecstatic about getting my IR. I just think that I'm letting off stress from the last week (plus) and its coming out unlike the "yeeeehawww!" that I'm really feeling.

Right now I'm looking forward to getting into my Commercial rating around the beginning of the year. In another while I'll look back at this portion and chuckle. I'm sure (after talking to a buddy thats in "real" jet transition right now - today!) that I'll look back and laugh at myself. But today... I'm glad I'm done with what I did today.

If you are reading this, and you want to get into flying. Do it. Flying, if it is in your heart, is a dream. I'm living that dream, too. But, don't come into this with the attitude that red roses and white carnations line the walkway. ##### will happen. It is important that you deal with the poo that unregulated monkeys fling at you like you deal with spilled milk. Don't cry over it. Deal with it. Maybe get P.O'd. But deal with it. And when you are dealing with it, do it in a way that you are preparing yourself for tomorrow - because it will be here before you know it. Jeez - that sounds so horrible! Its really not that bad. I'm freakin' flying! Sorry if I bummed any one out.:rolleyes:

Hey - I got the Instrument handshake this morning. Maybe I need a martini. Anyone?!

Congrats man! I've been reading your posts and keeping track of your progress... you've got me pumped too:nana2:, and I don't even start the PPL until Jan 7th :hiya:. I'm planning/hoping to have the PPL/CPL/IR/Multi/CFI by early fall of '08... then build the hours to be ready with mins for the Regionals by Jan/Feb '09... we'll have to see if I have the staying power to match my excitement and optimism :)

I look forward to hearing about your Commercial stuff next! So what did your buddy doing the Jet transition say to you today to get you pumped?

Cheers, and congrats again man... well done
 
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