Youtuber Fatal Crash

[DropTank]

I routinely conduct checkrides for applicants with over 100 hours. If they meet or exceed the standard, they get a certificate. I can recount several who flew fantastically and made excellent decisions.

Total time isn't any greater a metric on whether somebody is a good pilot or not, any more than the ACS standards themselves.

One of my first questions on a check ride will be:
"Why did it take you 100+ to get signed off?"

 

[Inverted]

One of my first questions on a check ride will be:
"Why did it take you 100+ to get signed off?"

What do you want their answer to be? Why is it any of my business? How much of a boob would I feel if I asked that at the beginning of their checkride, and was told that their daughter had cancer, so he started and stopped for years before she died? Good tone to start before a checkride? Does that give you any indication of their flying abilities? Does their answer give you an unconscious bias that you will then impose on them during a checkride?

Evaluators are simply that, evaluators. We are not therapists, gatekeepers, or life coaches.

 

[Inverted]

I work in a situation where I deal with the most experienced pilots and, moments later, some newbies.

Seniority, decision-making, experience, motor skills, systems knowledge are all mutually-exclusive attributes.

Agreed!

 

[DropTank]

What do you want their answer to be? Why is it any of my business? How much of a boob would I feel if I asked that at the beginning of their checkride, and was told that their daughter had cancer, so he started and stopped for years before she died? Good tone to start before a checkride? Does that give you any indication of their flying abilities? Does their answer give you an unconscious bias that you will then impose on them during a checkride?

Evaluators are simply that, evaluators. We are not therapists, gatekeepers, or life coaches.

"My daughter died of cancer and I took 6 months off"
You have my condolences. That's something that no parent should ever have to endure. I'm glad you've persevered.
That said, are you ready for your check ride?

And we ARE gate keepers.
That the [fornicating] job.

When the tasks are not completed satisfactory without doubt of the safety or outcome, you shall not pass.

If that's a problem for you... you need to surrender your Letter of Authorization and find something else to do.