Tips for the PPL ride

F

FL410

New Member
Does anyone have any? I'm about to do it, but it was cancelled today due to near IMC and winds forecast to gust to 30kt.

I've read the POH and studied it cover to cover, and gone through a book called "Flight Test notes"

So far I feel fairly confident, but is there anything I should keep in mind or watch out for?
 
Hi,

I'm not sure if you have had the oral part yet or not but if not, I would look into that. As for the check ride goes, if you haven't flown in the past week or so I would do a solo or dual and pratice all of the things you've been taugh. Go over the weak point of yours, and on the checkride, speak your mind to the examiner so that he knows your move, at least you get his response knowing that you are on the track or not.

Hope this helps and don't forget to sleep.
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thaina09123
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I was up a few times with my CFI, so I would have flown within a week. The oral (at least up here it seems) is done before the flight, and I did fairly well on one that my CFI prepped me for.

Sleep, yeah that might be a challenge.
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I just past my PPL check ride few days ago. My suggestion is to fly with your instructor before your check ride. It helps to get your head into the game.

adreamer
 
Yesss,

Sleep was a major thing to me too, but somehow I managed to get through it. So when do you have your checkride scheduled? If it is more than a week from now I would solo for an hour or two. I'm not sure if eveyone has their slip-to-landing on the checkride or not but seems like everyone that I know had that, may be you want to look at that. It's up to you, only you can determine yourself. Good luck though, I wish you the best Mr."soon to be PIC"
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For adreamer, when did you get your license? I just have mine last week too (10/7)
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try not to get too nervous. i know that's easier said than done. keep in mind that they're looking for sound decision making and judgment, and most importantly, SAFETY. they're not looking for perfection.
 
As one who has taken more checkrides than I can remember, here's my advice:

-You're obviously ready or your CFI wouldn't have signed you off for it. Relax!

-Most DPE's take great joy in awarding someone their new PPL. Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news. They want to see you do well and they're in your corner! So, Relax! I use to get a bigger kick out of seeing my students pass than they did. That big grin on their face, that you couldn't wipe off, was priceless!

-Nobody! And I mean, Nobody flies the perfect checkride. Not even that examiner sitting next to you. We, as humans, all make mistakes. Try hard not to make any and try not to make BIG ones but don't beat yourself up thinking about it the entire checkride if you do. That'll just about guarantee to distract you enough to make another one. Relax!

-Most important! I use to tell this to all my checkride applicants from PPL to type rides in the B757 or A300. The night before your ride find a quiet distraction such as taking in a good movie and/or dinner. Get to bed early, and try to get some sleep. A good nights sleep does wonders for memory and motor skills. Drink a lot of water to keep you hydrated and alert.

-Above all, RELAX! Remember, this was suppose to be FUN, right? If you mess up, what's the worse thing? You come back and do it again. Doesn't make you a bad pilot. I've seen excellent aviators have bad days and have to redo checkrides. I had to redo my initial CFI (said I didn't talk enough..I'm usually quiet by nature
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)and F/E rides( missed a fuel valve problem which cause a fuel imbalance). Came back and passed each just fine the second time around.

-RELAX!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!!!!
 
The advice you've heard so far is great. I looked at it like a sports event, like prepping for a big game. Practice, practice, practice, and then when the big day comes, relax, take it easy, and do what you know how to do.

It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be within PTS standards.
 
Thanks everyone! I think the reason I'm getting worked up about it is because I'm more of a perfectionist, I don't like messing up, even a little. But my CFI was impressed, so I know I've got a great chance at passing.
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It was originally scheduled for today, but it's pretty nasty outside here at least, so it's been postponed.
 
On my check ride the examiner asked me about which OTC medicines you could and couldn't use while flying. I had no idea but I looked it up in the FAR's. So if you don't know something tell them you know where to find it and of course be familiar with the FAR/AIM so you can find it. Good luck
 
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Thanks everyone! I think the reason I'm getting worked up about it is because I'm more of a perfectionist, I don't like messing up, even a little.

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Most pilot do have a type A personality. Most pilots I know tend to be very hard on themselves if they make a mistake. I had one f/o who I enjoyed flying with and who I considered a very good pilot and, how should I put it, turn a very good approach into a lousy landing (yes, it happens). The whole time we were taxiing in he was apologizing to me at the same time kicking himself severely. I felt bad for him because I know how good he usually is and how bad he hated making mistakes. When we parked he asked why I hadn't said anything about the landing? I told him that he about covered everything and besides, I couldn't beat'em up any worse than he had beat himself up? We both got a good laugh over that!

Remember, that DPE knows you're nervous. He'd probably look at you strange if you weren't alittle nervous. He knows you want to fly the perfect ride. Believe it or not, he was not born a DPE and had to go through the same thing you're about to and he was nervous too. Nerves aren't necessarily a bad thing. They help heighten your awareness of your surroundings and make you more alert. It's when they become paralyzing that causes problems.

Just pretent it's your CFI next to you. Before you knw it, it'll be over and you'll wonder why you got all worked up over it.
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After getting rained out this weekend, I went to do just the oral after school today.

I was really quite amazed at the examiner. He's just over 60, was chief at our flight school way back when, has a PhD in chemistry, knows 5 languages, and drives a BMW. Not to mention that he is so incredibly calm, an extreme gentleman and knows anything related with aviation to a degree I didn't think was possible.

It was really a good experience, nothing like the dentist.
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I'm actually looking forward to the flight.
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