If by some chance I fail.... Initial 135 Ride Stress!

TravDK

TravDK

Well-Known Member
I was given an opportunity by my employer to go through a 135 class as we have a charter company associated with a flight school that we all hope will grow.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I am about done with the ground aspect but have some concerns about the check ride. It was brought to our attention yesterday that if by chance we fail the ride, because it is done in an actual aircraft, they would suspend our commercial license until the ride is passed. That puts me out of a job instructing until it’s passed within 90 days! Two guys walked out of class following that announcement whom are much more experienced than myself.<o:p></o:p>
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Now, I have done well on all previous rides, but I'm human and the ride is with an FAA rep who I can assume will expect a pretty damn good ride considering that we are strictly a passenger carrying operation.<o:p></o:p>
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My question.. On aviation job applications I see those two boxes that I never thought I would have to check; 1. Do you have a DWI/DUI? 2. Have you ever had your FAA license revoked/suspended?<o:p></o:p>
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Would failing the ride force me to check that box because they would in fact suspend commercial privileges? I am afraid that would immediately put me in that "no hire" pile without me ever given the chance to explain.<o:p></o:p>
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To those CFI's out there, I am sure you can agree that we really do not get much “hands on time” with the plane as the students only get a few hours in that expensive. I try to let them fly as much as possible because they need every landing they can get. <o:p></o:p>

Thanks..
 
They aren't going to suspend your certificate for a busted 135 check ride, unless you're completely an unsafe disaster. If you bust MDA by 20' and they say "ride's over!", you can still teach, fly part 91, etc.

Who ever told you otherwise is full of it.

If you pull the mixture to cutoff in the climb, Vmc roll it into a spin then recover to land gear up...that's different.

-mini
 
You are not going to lose your license...A 135.293/297 is no different than an ATP checkride (glorified instrument)
 
I don't know what kind of airplane you will be flying on the checkride, but let me give you some advice. Use the Autopilot and Flight Director if installed at ALL times they are appropriate for use, unless told otherwise. It will make your life a lot easier.
 
The gentleman teaching the class has a lot of experience with 121/135 and something like 55 years in the business. I am not sure why he warned us. He said failure to pass the ride would show that we were not up to Commercial standard flying and thus a temporary revoke of Commercial privileges. He stated that if done in a Sim would yield different consequences.

Thank you for responding.... either way I'm going to give the ride. In this market I would be dumb not to better my resume and chance possible.

Also meeting with the FSDO next week to get the Gold Seal paper work in. Every bit helps right!?!
 
MikeOH58 said:
I don't know what kind of airplane you will be flying on the checkride, but let me give you some advice. Use the Autopilot and Flight Director if installed at ALL times they are appropriate for use, unless told otherwise. It will make your life a lot easier.
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.....and don't fail.
 
TravDK said:
The gentleman teaching the class has a lot of experience with 121/135 and something like 55 years in the business. I am not sure why he warned us. He said failure to pass the ride would show that we were not up to Commercial standard flying and thus a temporary revoke of Commercial privileges. He stated that if done in a Sim would yield different consequences.
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I never cease to be amazed at the absolute crap that some people spew as gospel.

-mini
 
TravDK said:
The gentleman teaching the class has a lot of experience with 121/135 and something like 55 years in the business. I am not sure why he warned us. He said failure to pass the ride would show that we were not up to Commercial standard flying and thus a temporary revoke of Commercial privileges. He stated that if done in a Sim would yield different consequences.
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Lesson # 1 I've learned about pilots:

Thousands of hours, and years of experiance doesn't mean that someone knows what the heck he's talking about or that he is even a very good pilot.



Generally speaking, more experiance is better. But some guys have been misinformed for all those years, or haven't kept up to date on the new developments. It's not unheard of to meet an airline captain who doesn't know beans about GA. Or, an old timer that hasn't used a GPS before.

That said, a 135 check isn't much more difficult than your initial instrument test was. If you can't pass it, then your instrument skills need some serious refreshing. If the stress of a checkride throws you off your game that you completely fall apart, then I wonder how you will handle a true emergency. Everyone has a bad day, and few pilots have a perfect record on checkrides, but repeated failures is a red flag.
 
TravDK said:
The gentleman teaching the class has a lot of experience with 121/135 and something like 55 years in the business. I am not sure why he warned us. He said failure to pass the ride would show that we were not up to Commercial standard flying and thus a temporary revoke of Commercial privileges. He stated that if done in a Sim would yield different consequences.
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That is totally and utter BS!

So, all those airline pilots who have had a bad day in the sim and fail an item should have their ticket revoke or suspended?!? I don't think so. There would be a lot of them walking around! I also suspect your "55years in the biz" instructor and the FAA fed have failed a checkride or two along the way.

I also suspect he's merely trying to thin the herd or find out who reall wants to be there. Nobody's gonna revoke your license unless you're just a total tool and screwup. Typically, you are retrained and retested just like any other checkride failure.
 
A300Capt said:
That is totally and utter BS!

So, all those airline pilots who have had a bad day in the sim and fail an item should have their ticket revoke or suspended?!? I don't think so. There would be a lot of them walking around! I also suspect your "55years in the biz" instructor and the FAA fed have failed a checkride or two along the way.

I also suspect he merely trying to thin the herd or find out who reall wants to be there. Nobody's gonna revoke your license unless you're just a total tool and screwup. Typically, you are retrained and retested just like any other checkride failure.
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It is scare tactics........
 
A300Capt said:
So, all those airline pilots who have had a bad day in the sim and fail an item should have their ticket revoke or suspended?!? I don't think so.
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No no. Read again. It's "different" in the sim.

This guy's full of it man. Don't sweat it.

-mini
 
Trav, I was in your position in the spring...my flight school also has a 135 certificate.
C-182, Baron, C-402

I had the same concerns that you did, you can look at my thread history for that proof.

I agree that we don't get very much actual hands on flying but if you don't take the checkride now, then when will you?

One of my fellow CFIs also dropped out because he didn't think he would be ready. After I told him about the flight, oral and things I messed up on, he was upset he didn't continue.

I also sat with a guy from the FSDO. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be, oral and flying.

I made a few mistakes on the flight but corrected them and in hindsight I shouldn't have been too worried about it.
Do you have a sim handy?

I say go for it.

Is there a possible job at the end of this?
Do you have to pay for the training?
 
minitour said:
No no. Read again. It's "different" in the sim.

This guy's full of it man. Don't sweat it.

-mini
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I have a lot of respect for seniors pilots so I will nod my head and say thanks for the warning but be breathing a lot easier on the inside. Thanks for the replies and help.

Douglas said:
Trav, I was in your position in the spring...my flight school also has a 135 certificate.
C-182, Baron, C-402

I had the same concerns that you did, you can look at my thread history for that proof.

I agree that we don't get very much actual hands on flying but if you don't take the checkride now, then when will you?

One of my fellow CFIs also dropped out because he didn't think he would be ready. After I told him about the flight, oral and things I messed up on, he was upset he didn't continue.

I also sat with a guy from the FSDO. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be, oral and flying.

I made a few mistakes on the flight but corrected them and in hindsight I shouldn't have been too worried about it.
Do you have a sim handy?

I say go for it.

Is there a possible job at the end of this?
Do you have to pay for the training?
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Douglas... Thank you, and of course I will be going for it! I have sacrificed too much not to at least give it a chance, but if it was a scare tactic it worked! It actually shrunk the class. :)

I am not being payed for sitting in the training, but yes the training is paid for and I am very gracious. I also have a student in a similiar aircraft that let me shoot an approach today. Is it wrong to say I was damn awesome? :) Thanks again.
 
MikeOH58 said:
what airplane?
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The ride is in a Seneca II. Our main charter business is in Chieftans and King Air. It is a lot cheaper and probably easier to take the ride in the Seneca. Since the Chieftan is same Cat/Class its a quick upgrade. I don't have those insurance mins yet anyway.

Thanks for the input and help.
 
TravDK said:
I have a lot of respect for seniors pilots so I will nod my head and say thanks for the warning but be breathing a lot easier on the inside. Thanks for the replies and help.
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That's the way to play the game. "Cooperate and graduate." I'm sure you'll do fine, but good luck anyway. :)

*edit* Do you guys need Chieftain pilots?

-mini
 
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