Questions asked for specific airplane?

[pilotmike327]

Hey guys, something on my mind as my practical is coming up in a month or so. Does the examiner ask questions specific to the airplane or in general. For example, if flying a fuel-injected airplane, do you still need to explain how the carb system works?

 

[ryan1234]

Hey guys, something on my mind as my practical is coming up in a month or so. Does the examiner ask questions specific to the airplane or in general. For example, if flying a fuel-injected airplane, do you still need to explain how the carb system works?

I'm guessing this is for a Private checkride? Generally speaking he probably won't ask you specifics about completely different systems/aircraft. However, he may ask you general theory stuff. What kind of flaps are there? What kind of flaps does your airplane have? Even if you fly a fuel injected airplane, he may ask you things like: When is it necessary to use carb heat? Do you need an endorsement to fly a tailwheel aircraft? What makes a complex airplane? Etc...

 

[Guy]

Reading the PTS for the Instrument Rating, it has words such as "applicable navigation systems to include GPS, FMS, VOR". So the question becomes what do they mean by "applicable". I suspect, that means asking about the four-leg-range, LORAN, or navigation by bonfires would not be applicable. However, just because it isn't on the aircraft that is being used that day doesn't mean it cannot be an oral question. Extrapolating that logic, I would agree with what ryan1234 wrote.

On a multi-engine check, it would be quite fair to ask an applicant what the advantage of counter-rotating propellers is and why does it work that way or what is meant by the "critical engine" regardless of what kind of airplane was brought to the test.

However, as a matter of practice, the examiners don't venture far away from the aircraft you are using for the test.

 

[pilotmike327]

Cool. I thought that was the case. Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[Ziggyfuzz]

The systems discussion during the ground portion of your practical test should always be specific , at the very minimum, to the aircraft you are testing in, and add some general topics as well. Doesn't matter what level you are at. I cannot ask you questions about a Garmin 1000 if you haven't used one right, and vise versa. However the principle of operation of many components in a steam guage system vs a glass cockpit will be the same, and should be understood. (just one example of many)