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II’m always very skeptical when I hear the "reason" from a student as to why he or she failed a checkride. Notice how it's almost always over something small and meaningless? Usually there are two sides to the story....and when I'd hear the examiners version of events and the real multiple reasons for the failure, I'd have a better idea of what happened.
Normally what happens is the student will stumble or be extremely borderline or deficient in several areas....the examiner may just let it slide and see how the rest goes, without making too much comment. Then when the student crosses the line from barely passable to fail they believe it was that question or subject area alone that caused it.
Now I don't want to come across as being 100% supportive of the examiner, as there are occasions where they can be unreasonable. But claiming failure over such a meaningless question (and several years as a CFI where I sent up many students for checkrides) tends to make me think your friend isn't telling the whole story.
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Agree, but I usually have to really weigh the situation and see the records, since often, there are dumbass examiners that love to pink people.
Was in a FSDO once, and overheard one of the examiners joking with another FAA buddy about how he busted a guy.....over some real stupid stuff, from what he was describing. As they wandered towards the front desk, I chimed in and told him that I thought his reason for the bust was BS......exact words were "pardon me, but that's bullsh*#". I further told him how I'd love to go flying with him sometime and really bust his chops a bit. He asked what I was at the FSDO for (getting some reg info), and asked if I had a plane on the ramp. Told him, nope......am a military pilot, so I don't have a pilots license. Though if he'd like to ramp check my plane, it's sitting across the valley at Luke......Just tell them at the base gate that you're FAA.
FSDO pukes......