Two checkrides and a first solo today

[Ajax]

The first one didn't go too well. Private pilot, history of nervousness. Made it through the ground, the flight got rough at the emergency procedures. This marks my 2nd failure as a CFI, feels terrible. Both of my failures passed end of course exams with my chief instructor, a CFI of over 10 years. They were both private applicants too, which bugs me even more. I'm not the best CFI out there, but damn I sure do try hard.

I have a commercial ME on his ride right now. I hope this one goes well, and I'm pretty darn confident in his ability.

How do you guys help students who are easily rattled get over this stuff?

 

[drunkenbeagle]

How do you guys help students who are easily rattled get over this stuff?

Wish I had an easy answer, but I have ATP's that get rattled easily. Not an easy thing to teach - just be patient and encouraging. Everyone learns differently.

 

[USMCmech]

They were both private applicants too, ....

I believe that the PPL checkride is the second most difficult (right behind CFI initial) checkride most pilots will ever face.

A PPL student has gone from knowing nothing, to being expected to know a broad range of subjects in a relatively short time frame. This is a very large hurdle for most students, on top of the fact that this is their first checkride and they do not know what to really expect.

 

[A150K]

My first signoff did most of his CSEL ride today (oral and 1 turn around the pattern in the 177RG, the clouds didn't allow for him to do the maneuvers in his Cherokee today). In the words of the examiner, "He had one of the strongest performances on the oral that I have seen in awhile, but damnit, he's an engineer and takes way too long to pre-flight a friggen Cessna!!"

 

[rframe]

How do you guys help students who are easily rattled get over this stuff?

Rattle them until they can handle it.

Give them tools and training to know what to do then test it under increasing pressure.

As they are getting close to the check ride, start quizzing them during flight, add distractions, diversions, question their choices/judgment.

If certain maneuvers bother them, have them do them until its just normal.

 

[Ajax]

Rattle them until they can handle it.

Give them tools and training to know what to do then test it under increasing pressure.

As they are getting close to the check ride, start quizzing them during flight, add distractions, diversions, question their choices/judgment.

If certain maneuvers bother them, have them do them until its just normal.

That's what I've been doing, and we're stepping it up a notch, or seven tomorrow morning.

My first signoff did most of his CSEL ride today (oral and 1 turn around the pattern in the 177RG, the clouds didn't allow for him to do the maneuvers in his Cherokee today). In the words of the examiner, "He had one of the strongest performances on the oral that I have seen in awhile, but damnit, he's an engineer and takes way too long to pre-flight a friggen Cessna!!"

I once had a student who was an IA, I asked him if he would go ahead and sign off for the annual after watching his preflight.