Flight Test coming soon - advice?

[ayavner]

Hi all - well, I have my flight test coming up. Any words of advice going into it?

 

Not anything about flying the plane, I can do that lol... but any helpful advice for mental preparation, organisation, typical tricks to watch for?

 

I'll be doing a trial session first, but would like to go into it mentally prepared as though it were the real thing.

 

cheers!

 

 

[turboplanner]

The best one would be to hope your tester didn't see this thread.

 

This test is just to observe a competent pilot in all aspects.

 

I would be writing down the things I regularly skimped on, or took short cuts on, such as sloppy radio procedures and making sure your up with the latest changes, preflight, downwind checks, and other abnormal procedures - we all give a few things a miss from time to time out of laziness, and only get heart palpitations when something unexpected occurs, or when we are tested.

 

 

[ayavner]

ok that's good advice, though confused on the first bit - I would imagine he would expect me to use any and all resources at my disposal, one of those being bouncing it off of guys and gals that have done it before... not looking for a "cheat code" haha

 

What is funny is I typically do great at tests - its the time leading up to the test I am a basket case :)

 

Thanks Tubz, I have started such a list

 

 

[cscotthendry]

Any area that you're less confident of, will be the most likely area that you'll stumble on under the pressure of the test. Revise those, but don't obsess over them and build them into insuperable mountains.

 

Oh, and DON'T do what I did and get lost going back to the airfield!!!

 

 

[ayavner]

oh wow that would have been a pickle, eh cscott?? What happened, is that a fail, or did you redeem it?

 

 

[cscotthendry]

My instructor was righteously and rightly peeved with me...but he let me get away with for three reasons (1) I managed to do everything else right, (2) It wasn't nav test and (3) I was intending to follow on to a nav course straight after.

 

Pretty embarassing though, considering how close the training area is to the airfield. It was just a trick of the light and I just mis-identified the area that I thought was the airfield.

 

 

[damkia]

Written Exam Prep: 1/2A = RTFQ

 

Half the answer equals read the full(*) question.

 

(*) "cleaned up" for public viewing, but you can guess the real word..

 

 

[sfGnome]

Think of it this way:

 

• Your instructor thinks that you are ready to do the test.
   
   
  
• He's been watching you for months so he already knows how much you know (or don't).
   
   
  
• He wouldn't be bothering to test you if he didn't think that you're likely to pass OK.
   
   
  
• Most importantly, he's not going to be thinking up any tricky scenarios just to make you fail. He could achieve that just by saying "you failed".
   
   
  

 

 

So, just treat it as yet another lesson, and don't panic if you don't remember something instantly. Enjoy it!

 

 

[Bandit12]

Physiological - get plenty of sleep, stay away from the caffeine and other stimulants, or alcohol and other depressants. Get some fresh air and exercise, it is remarkable how much difference it makes for concentration.

 

Psychological - visualise and practice your routines, checks etc. And stop thinking of it as a test, try using checkride or other terminology that doesn't induce as much anxiety. Remind yourself that you will be doing similar checkrides every two years now for the rest of your flying time.

 

Best of luck with it!

 

 

[Eric McCandless]

Get a good night's sleep (if you can, I couldn't) so you will be rested beforehand. I was pretty uptight about my test until I got into the aircraft and then I relaxed (somewhat). Just try to relax and do what you have done previously with the instructor and solo. Just think of it as another dual flight and do what you have done many times before. Focus on being precise but don't obsess about it. If you do make a mistake, don't dwell on it as it will affect your next move. Have fun and enjoy. When you land and learn that you passed, the adrenalin and euphoria will kick in and it will feel almost as good as your first solo. Eric

 

 

[metalman]

Good luck and remember its meant to be fun, when I used to get stressed my instructor used to say " look out the window and remember this is meant to be fun",

 

 

[Guest Howard Hughes]

Do it the same way your instructor trained you and you will be fine!

 

 

[ayavner]

Thanks guys, all on board and I think I'm ready to go! I made quite a cool little checklist too. Some really good points here, reminds me of similar frame of mind you need for performing on stage or at an open mic.. .remember, they WANT you to do well or they wouldn't have turned up. Great to hear from you Eric as well, as I know you have just gone through this recently so would still be fresh in your mind... have you done much flying? any new write-ups or a blog planned? It was great reading about your journey, made a big difference on mine!

 

 

[mAgNeToDrOp]

See it as a challenge, enjoy it!

 

After the usual test stuff in the training area I had to find the airfield after a practiced forced landing staying at minimum 500 feet so I couldn't really see it from where we were, was alot of fun though ( and no there were no built up areas in between - just paddocks) I also managed to stuff up the landing as I was asked to land on 03 and I joined circuit for 21 ( was wondering why he wanted me to do a downwind landing). Raised eyebrows from instructor and I realised my mistake on "downwind 21 - wrong end doh! " and then did all the right things and rejoined for a (now flapless thrown in) successful landing on 03. He still passed me said it was probably nerves.

 

I think they will throw alot of scenarios at you to see how much you can handle, I'm sure the instructor already knows whether or not you are up to standard before you even take the test.

 

 

[Eric McCandless]

... Great to hear from you Eric as well, as I know you have just gone through this recently so would still be fresh in your mind... have you done much flying? any new write-ups or a blog planned? It was great reading about your journey, made a big difference on mine!

Ayavner, thanks for the kind words. Since getting my Nav endorsement, I have been flying the wings off my Jabiru (one of the advantages of owning vs hiring). I have been gradually extending my range and comfort zone. I still have a long way to go but with every flight I am feeling more confident (and hopefully more competent). I have yet to take a passenger and my elderly Mum will be my first PAX in just over a week. My training diary has completed but I may write up my trips in a blog some day as I am keeping the records. But it used to take me about ten hours to write up a one hour lesson and I have been too busy lately.

Good luck with your test, but you won't need luck because as others have said, your instructor will not take you unless they think you are ready. Your instructor does not want you to fail and they will also take into account that you may be nervous. Just treat it as another lesson, relax, and enjoy. The feeling of freedom when you get your wings is awesome. Eric

 

 

[CrayonBox]

I was asked during my test to make a low pass on the main airport runway. There was a crosswind, and a lot of warm air rising from the bitumen, so i knew the challenge was a good one.

 

I turned base, final and lined her up. All was going awesome. As we got closer and closer to the surface i could see it was going to be a fantastic landing. As we washed off the final speed the instructor yelled, power power power and took over.

 

I couldn't understand what was wrong. The landing was looking perfect considering the wind and bumps.

 

He said... "I didn't say land, i wanted a low pass straight down the runway".

 

Ooopps... Sorry. So we went round and did it properly the second time. Still passed. I put it down to nerves.

 

Moral -listen to the instructors instructions carefully!

 

Good luck, i'm sure you'll well.

 

 

[turboplanner]

An INSTRUCTOR ordering a BEAT UP?

 

 

[Bandit12]

An INSTRUCTOR ordering a BEAT UP?

It did sound a little like that. CrayonBox, are you HGFA or RA-Aus? And I'm wondering what the instructor was testing for in the "low pass"? A precautionary landing/low pass for inspection (perhaps due to inclement weather) is one thing, but not normally practiced at the home airport as far as I know.

 

 

[rankamateur]

Don' t forget you HASELL checks before you demonstrate your stall recovery, that could get embarrassing. If you do forget, blame nerves.

 

 

[octave]

It did sound a little like that. CrayonBox, are you HGFA or RA-Aus? And I'm wondering what the instructor was testing for in the "low pass"? A precautionary landing/low pass for inspection (perhaps due to inclement weather) is one thing, but not normally practiced at the home airport as far as I know.

When I first learnt in a Thruster in the late 80s, I was taught to be able to fly along the runway without drifting left or right before I was taught to land, then more recently in a Gazelle, I thought this was quite standard. Any CFIs care to comment?

 

 

[ayavner]

Don' t forget you HASELL checks before you demonstrate your stall recovery, that could get embarrassing. If you do forget, blame nerves.

that's right... "Don't HASELL me man, i'm trying to concentrate here!" got it... Thanks!

 

 

 

[CrayonBox]

I was being tested for straight and level control in thermal crosswind conditions. That is, my reactions and control correction response. Well, so i believe, i excelled anyway i am hgfa. (Wsm).

 

 

[turboplanner]

This would be a good start for study: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2010/avoidable-1-low-level-flying.aspx

 

Talking to an instructor who specialises in low level endorsements would also brief you on the dangers of doing a beat up run vs full stop landing or touch and go.

 

 

[poteroo]

This would be a good start for study: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2010/avoidable-1-low-level-flying.aspxTalking to an instructor who specialises in low level endorsements would also brief you on the dangers of doing a beat up run vs full stop landing or touch and go.

Some instructors have the student fly a 'pass' along the runway at round-out height, with half flap extended, to give them an extended look at the height and speed experience. In no way is it a 'beat-up,' because it's at a speed just above the stall warning commencement, and well inside Vfe. I don't use it, but others swear by it. With a qualified PC beginning a low level course - it's usual to do a lot of slow speed handling above 500 agl, then progressively lower the exercises. Most of it is well below Vfe, and with plenty of stall warning on manoeuvring. Doing fast low level runs along a runway isn't in my LL course as it only serves to create a PC thinking they have become a 'display' pilot!!

 

happy days,

 

 

[turboplanner]

I've seen quite a few posts from people who have cables across the top of their airstrips, and issuing invitations for mates to visit............................