Roost Air Lounge => The Classroom => Topic started by: Gulfstream Driver on June 30, 2006, 01:09:29 PM
Title: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on June 30, 2006, 01:09:29 PM
Just signed my student off for his private ride. It's my first one. :o I'm probably more nervous than he is.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on June 30, 2006, 03:50:12 PM
Oral's done...On to the flight!
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Plthijnx on June 30, 2006, 04:17:32 PM
so i'm guessing that he's in the air as i type this?
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on June 30, 2006, 05:30:40 PM
Yep. He's been gone about an hour now....The longer he's gone, the better.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Plthijnx on June 30, 2006, 07:52:00 PM
well? did you get to cut the shirt off his back yet??
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: happylanding on June 30, 2006, 09:21:14 PM
It is a wonderful moment for the student, but I guess that it's the same for the instructor.... |:)\
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Plthijnx on July 01, 2006, 05:36:38 PM
well?? here we are on the second day and still no word......c'mon Gulf!!!
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on July 02, 2006, 05:15:13 AM
Sorry! After the check ride, I was so focused on getting ready to head to Baudette that I forgot about updating. :-[
My student passed! The DE practically said he was a natural (but not quite).
100% Pass Rate, baby! ;D
The reason we needed to go to Baudette was to look at a couple of houses. We'll be moving up there at the end of the month because my wife got a job as the new band teacher at the school. I'll hopefully be instructing up there, if anyone's interested. ;)
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Plthijnx on July 02, 2006, 06:12:08 AM
cool and congrats!!
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Frank N. O. on July 02, 2006, 09:59:52 AM
Very cool indeed, congratulations all around, but what's this about cutting shirts??
Frank
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Plthijnx on July 02, 2006, 03:09:45 PM
oops i was a little off yesterday. one gets the shirt cut off his/her back when they solo. DOH! boy was i out of it....
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Frank N. O. on July 02, 2006, 03:19:39 PM
oops i was a little off yesterday. one gets the shirt cut off his/her back when they solo. DOH! boy was i out of it....
Why? And wouldn't that be kind-of gross considering how sweaty it would probably be after a check-ride?
Frank
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on July 02, 2006, 04:30:19 PM
You solo after about 15 hours (average), and take the checkride after 40. You usually are sweaty after the ride, but the solo's not usually too bad. It's tradition to cut the student's shirt after the solo. I've seen an article on where that tradition started, but don't remember where I saw it.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Mike on July 05, 2006, 08:03:11 PM
Congrats Gulf!! |:)\
Boy, I thought I was nervous on my first solo but turns out you don't know what nervous is until you have your first student solo, huh?!?! ;D ;) I'll never forget having my student hover next to me for the first time with me not in the aircraft....
The first checkride is right up there as well. I still have a 100% pass rate!!! Only one guy failed a written once...
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on July 06, 2006, 03:12:29 AM
Boy, I thought I was nervous on my first solo but turns out you don't know what nervous is until you have your first student solo, huh?!?! ;D ;) I'll never forget having my student hover next to me for the first time with me not in the aircraft....
And the stuff that comes out of their mouths! The DE asked about the numbers under the airport identifier on a sectional. The airport happened to have pilot controlled lighting, so my student came up with "left angle 33". Couldn't believe my ears. :) Turns out that meant pilot controlled lighting and the longest runway was 3300 ft.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: happylanding on July 06, 2006, 02:09:19 PM
And the stuff that comes out of their mouths! The DE asked about the numbers under the airport identifier on a sectional. The airport happened to have pilot controlled lighting, so my student came up with "left angle 33". Couldn't believe my ears. :) Turns out that meant pilot controlled lighting and the longest runway was 3300 ft.
what do you mean by pilot controlled lighting in a runway?!? that you switch on/off the lights by the cockpit?!?!? Sorry, but you catch me unprepared and I've no idea about what you mean.... ??? ???
And about the stuff that comes out of their mouths....it will never stop. you sometimes have to say stupid things on radio, looks like a must!!! Congratulation my dear! |:)\ Here there isn't the habit about cutting shirts, I wouldn't have liked anyhow, since when I did my first solo in was the 5th of December, it could have been quite cold and embarassing and I went flying with Santa's hat!
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on July 08, 2006, 02:23:17 AM
At most uncontrolled airports here, you can control the runway lights by clicking the mike button a certain number of times when you're on the frequency for the airport.
My now former student joined the army and went to school to be a controller. It was really funny when he tripped up on the radio. :D
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: happylanding on July 08, 2006, 08:54:30 AM
At most uncontrolled airports here, you can control the runway lights by clicking the mike button a certain number of times when you're on the frequency for the airport.
I can't think about switching the lights on that way here: I would fall in love for such a thing and repeatedly switch on and off the lights! :D but there is an old military airstrip (LSPM Ambrì) that is "hidden" in the mountains. around the rwy there is a small village (think about 300 people or more probably less) and the rwy seems to be used as "square" of the village (no sunday market by the way!) and crosssing road to go anywhere else. so, when you have to land, you have to click on the mike button to descend barriers to avoid trespassers, and look around that nobody is strolling anymore there. I just went once there and made some circuits), since the rwy is inside a narrow V valley and it's not really a comfy place: to properly land you've to avoid too many things: wind streams, windshears, high voltage towers and cables.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on July 08, 2006, 09:05:07 PM
Wow. That sounds like quite the strip. Do they let civilians land there?
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: happylanding on July 09, 2006, 01:18:59 AM
Wow. That sounds like quite the strip. Do they let civilians land there?
Yes, you can land, even if in the oldest times it was a solely a military strip (and if you bought postcards of the valley, it seems that they were remade to cancel the strip, since it was a well kept military secret. I ignore if it's a metro legend or not, anyhow!). you can find some more info here: http://www.ambri-airport.ch/
As I told you, I just landed once (even if I did some T&G) and even if it's quite near from where I live (0035 minutes flight) I'm not sure I would land again. It's a quite difficult strip and there are some tricky things. One is, for example, that even if you have N wind, it's better and anyhow safer if you tkoff direction south (that sound mad, but going north the acft won't gain any altitude due to the winds and the mountains get up a lot faster...!). last week there was an accident with a plane leaving this airport (a Cirrus SR20): he it the mountains :(
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on July 09, 2006, 04:18:21 AM
One is, for example, that even if you have N wind, it's better and anyhow safer if you tkoff direction south (that sound mad, but going north the acft won't gain any altitude due to the winds and the mountains get up a lot faster...!). last week there was an accident with a plane leaving this airport (a Cirrus SR20): he it the mountains :(
We have strips like that here, too. Well, not where I am, which is probably the flatest region on the planet, but out in the mountains that situation is quite common.
Seems like if there's been a bad decision made by a pilot lately, it's been in a Cirrus...
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: happylanding on July 09, 2006, 10:35:25 AM
Good morning mates!
Yes, you never expect to hear about an accident in a Cirrus, since he has the parachute that makes you gently fall from the sky in case of seriously bad conditions. And it must not be beautiful to see the mountains approaching and getting bigger. :o But as soon as the scientific police will have done its work, we will know for sure what has happened. I think the guess now it's that he took off direction north and did not catch enough altitude to pass the Alps. :( :(
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: fireflyr on July 09, 2006, 02:14:33 PM
Yes, you never expect to hear about an accident in a Cirrus, since he has the parachute that makes you gently fall from the sky in case of seriously bad conditions.
Like I've always said "parachutes are for emergencies only--don't depend on them to save your life" :-\
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: happylanding on July 11, 2006, 05:48:53 PM
Like I've always said "parachutes are for emergencies only--don't depend on them to save your life" :-\
Good point Fireflyr, good point! At the end, what saves your life is a good preparation, nothing else.
And I just hope that a bunging rope will be better that a parachute, since on Wednesday next week I will be trying it from a dam....anybody remembers goldeneye movie? the dam is 40 km away from where I live. As soon as I've seen the pictures I was changing my mind.... http://www.trekking.ch/eng/007.asp
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: chuckar101 on December 09, 2006, 02:05:18 AM
Okay since this is about checkrides, I was wondering if anybody had any tips on checkrides? I have my private checkride in three to four weeks, depending on christmas and examiners.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: undatc on December 09, 2006, 02:24:05 AM
Okay since this is about checkrides, I was wondering if anybody had any tips on checkrides? I have my private checkride in three to four weeks, depending on christmas and examiners.
Well, from what I learned on mine, and i unsat-ed quite a few of my stage checks and almost did my acutal check ride is to know your book work. My orals were always 100% i set up and studied for each one the same way. For instance, if i was asked about how the fuel system worked on my piper, i'd expand that question to include the fuel tanks, lines, strainers how the fuel gets there exploded, and then is taken out. One, that shows you know your stuff, and two you also may knock out some other questions he may ask later on. However be careful to not go too indepth were he can ask about something minute and trivial and you lose it there.
For the practical parts on mine i tried to make every flight the same. I'd wear the same thing, always had my lucky sun glasses, and tried to imagine what i was doing before i did it. Id do the same walk around everytime, and I took my time. If he told me to make a steep right turn, id go trough all the steps in my head, imagine doing it, then do it. It takes a little longer but it keeps you from second guessing in the middle of the manuver. Remember, your paying for the check ride, do it at your pace, not his.
Lastly, check lists are your friends. I made flow sheets with key words for just about every phase of flight, from take off to landing, to shallow turns, to stalls etc. Do what I did and you should pass, especially from someone who knows he belongs in a tower.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: chuckar101 on December 10, 2006, 02:32:06 AM
Thanks for the tips. My biggest worry is the oral since I have a hell of a time telling somebody what I'm actually thinking. Well and since I know I belong in the air good luck with that whole tower thing.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on December 11, 2006, 06:32:08 PM
Also, know where to look stuff up. You can use your books if you get stuck on the oral. If you can find what you need quickly, that shows you at least know where to look if you get mixed up. You can't do it too much, but once or twice is ok.
Good luck.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Mike on December 12, 2006, 12:00:47 AM
Also, know where to look stuff up. You can use your books if you get stuck on the oral. If you can find what you need quickly, that shows you at least know where to look if you get mixed up. You can't do it too much, but once or twice is ok.
Good luck.
That is VERY GOOD advice!! I wanted to post the same thing. It's good to show you're resourceful. But make sure you know all your maneuvers and everything you wouldn't be able to look up in the air at the top of your head.
Also keep in mind that, since 9/11 and the TFR incidents they had, the examiners HAVE to drill you about airspaces and charts. Make sure you also know VFR minimums and such (again stuff you can't look up while flying)
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: chuckar101 on December 12, 2006, 01:42:18 AM
Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll definatel do all of the above. Give me a few more weeks and fill the forum in on if I passed or busted. Hopefully on the passed.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: TheSoccerMom on December 12, 2006, 02:12:18 AM
This is all great advice. They know that no one can recall EVERYTHING. Yet, if you are well prepared, it shows to the examiner that you care enough to study. Don't be afraid to have little tags on your reference materials (AIM, FARs, etc.). It shows that you are organized... again, a valuable trait.
Get with other pilots, and use the charts for a running study contest. Pick a feature and learn what it is. There are lots of pilots who don't know chart symbols as well as they should. Again, familiarity with everything on that ubiquitous piece of paper gives the examiner a look into your attitude toward learning.
You'll do fine!! Let us know how it all goes!!!! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Artoo on March 27, 2010, 02:59:52 AM
@Frank - The shirt cutting tradition comes from the early days of flight when you had a student and instructor in those open air biplanes with no headsets, the instructor would sit behind the student and would tug on the student's shirt tail to get his attention if he needed to tell him something. With all the wind and engine noise it was really noisy and you really had to yell, or use hand signals. Once he completed his first solo, the instructor would cut off the shirt tail to remind the student that he wasn't back their anymore to give advice, nobody is going to tug on your shirt if you're doing it wrong. I realize this is a real old thread, but I thought that I'd tie up that loose end . . . :-[ (bad pun; I am my father's son)
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Mike on March 27, 2010, 03:10:25 PM
@Frank - The shirt cutting tradition comes from the early days of flight when you had a student and instructor in those open air biplanes with no headsets, the instructor would sit behind the student and would tug on the student's shirt tail to get his attention if he needed to tell him something. With all the wind and engine noise it was really noisy and you really had to yell, or use hand signals. Once he completed his first solo, the instructor would cut off the shirt tail to remind the student that he wasn't back their anymore to give advice, nobody is going to tug on your shirt if you're doing it wrong. I realize this is a real old thread, but I thought that I'd tie up that loose end . . . :-[ (bad pun; I am my father's son)
that's a cool story, never heard that one before.... |:)\
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 09, 2010, 11:31:16 AM
Ditto to what Mike said, thanks for posting this :)
Frank
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: FlyboyGil on April 09, 2010, 10:47:33 PM
@Frank - The shirt cutting tradition comes from the early days of flight when you had a student and instructor in those open air biplanes with no headsets, the instructor would sit behind the student and would tug on the student's shirt tail to get his attention if he needed to tell him something. With all the wind and engine noise it was really noisy and you really had to yell, or use hand signals. Once he completed his first solo, the instructor would cut off the shirt tail to remind the student that he wasn't back their anymore to give advice, nobody is going to tug on your shirt if you're doing it wrong. I realize this is a real old thread, but I thought that I'd tie up that loose end . . . :-[ (bad pun; I am my father's son)
Here in Canada, we do the ol' bucket of water after the solo. Where'd that come from?
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Ragwing on April 09, 2010, 11:17:40 PM
Here in Canada, we do the ol' bucket of water after the solo. Where'd that come from?
After looking into this, I am not EVER going to recommend first solo in Canada
Quote
Several traditions have developed in the USA around "soloing", including drenching the student with water and cutting off and permanently displaying the back of his or her shirt.
In American aviation lore, the traditional removal of a new pilot's shirt tail is a sign of the instructor's new confidence in his student after successful completion of the 1st solo flight. In the days of tandem trainers, the student sat in the front seat, with the instructor behind. As there were often no radios in these early days of aviation, the instructor would tug on the student pilot's shirttail to get his attention, and then yell in his ear. A successful first solo flight is an indication that the student can fly without the instructor ("instructor-less" flight). Hence, there is no longer a need for the shirt tail, and it is cut off by the (often) proud instructor, and sometimes displayed as a trophy.[2]
In Canada, the dumping of water is replaced with a bucket of snow. The dumping is usually intended as a surprise to the newly minted solo pilot.
BUCKET OF SNOW!!!! ::sick::
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: FlyboyGil on April 10, 2010, 02:29:17 PM
Here in Canada, we do the ol' bucket of water after the solo. Where'd that come from?
After looking into this, I am not EVER going to recommend first solo in Canada
Quote
Several traditions have developed in the USA around "soloing", including drenching the student with water and cutting off and permanently displaying the back of his or her shirt.
In American aviation lore, the traditional removal of a new pilot's shirt tail is a sign of the instructor's new confidence in his student after successful completion of the 1st solo flight. In the days of tandem trainers, the student sat in the front seat, with the instructor behind. As there were often no radios in these early days of aviation, the instructor would tug on the student pilot's shirttail to get his attention, and then yell in his ear. A successful first solo flight is an indication that the student can fly without the instructor ("instructor-less" flight). Hence, there is no longer a need for the shirt tail, and it is cut off by the (often) proud instructor, and sometimes displayed as a trophy.[2]
In Canada, the dumping of water is replaced with a bucket of snow. The dumping is usually intended as a surprise to the newly minted solo pilot.
BUCKET OF SNOW!!!! ::sick::
Snow! We never did snow! Granted when I soak people I always make sure the water is as cold as possible! >:D >:D
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 18, 2010, 08:38:48 PM
In Denmark we do it similarly, however it's the pilot that gets thrown, into a bathtub or pool of water. A tv documentary on danish fighterpilots during final training in USA mentioned that if a pilot lands from his/her solo and make it to the office before getting caught then they're in the clear. One pilot landed earlier than planen and was almost at the door before they caught him and threw him in a kid's pool full of water, in his flightsuit and everything :D One of the danish princes recieved the same treatment although he only soloed in the small SAAB T-17 trainer here in DK.
Frank
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: croatian judge on April 18, 2010, 11:59:56 PM
With the air cadet gliding program in Atlantic Canada they throw you into a brook after your first solo, and after my first solo with power I got about 3 garbage cans worth of water, it was about 30 degrees (Celsius!) out though, so it was awesome.
At the flight school I'm at now, they have a partnership with a university for a BBA+CPL program, and they're not allowed to give the soaking because the university calls it "hazing". Ridiculous if you ask me.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: FlyboyGil on April 20, 2010, 12:16:36 AM
At the flight school I'm at now, they have a partnership with a university for a BBA+CPL program, and they're not allowed to give the soaking because the university calls it "hazing". Ridiculous if you ask me.
I think Political Correctness has gone a little too far!!! Water is hardly hazing!!! Some loser probably went crying to the authorities about it, and now it's gotta be banned. SHEESH!! Go back home and breastfeed from yo' momma if you can't handle a simple thing like that.
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Chopper Doc on April 20, 2010, 05:14:40 PM
Now, now, Flyboy, don't say harsh words or the Nannies will come and "correct" your behaviour.
Rites of initiation are no longer considered acceptable. There is no longer "succeed or fail", but rather we now recognize only "effort"; that is, we now set the bar so low that any idiot can "achieve" - hell, just look at the way some people drive and you'll see what I mean. So, no, you can't subject a new member of the tribe to indignity, stress, or discomfort, as this may preclude some sensitive type from making an effort.
Your future comments will be monitored for compliance, and re-education may be mandated.
/nanny-state sarcasm off
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: Oddball on April 20, 2010, 06:14:12 PM
Dont worry Doc I have my beady eyes on him and have him marked down as a trouble maker in the Big Black Book lol ;D :P
Title: Re: First Checkride
Post by: FlyboyGil on April 20, 2010, 10:09:29 PM
