up and coming FAA checkride

plthijinx · 12-13-2004, 09:42 PM

ew boy. here we go again. i haven't been around the cellar too much as of late because i've been training for this coming wednesday, (12/15). i have my multi-engine commercial checkride and the butterflies have already started. i'm so sick of studying aerodynamics, charts, graphs, systems, airspace rules, etc. i could puke. i was supposed to fly tonight but the generator on the left engine said "SEE-YA!" and the voltage regulator ran off with the spoon! that plane HAS to be fixed tomorrow. i must fly as much as possible before wednesday's check ride. this is a big one for me. continental express has lowered their minimums to 600 and 100 which means 600 hours total time with 100 hours multi-engine time. a goal that i can reach in about a year now that i'm flying charters. the plane that i'm taking my check ride in is a piper geronimo although the pictures depicted here are of an apache, the plane that i'm flying has a geronimo tail instead of an apache's. (better handling in single engine emergencies so i'm told) anyway, i need this. i want this. i want the butterflies to go away. more to come........

Kitsune · 12-13-2004, 10:12 PM

Good luck! And remember to keep the switch set to "wings stay on".

Nothing But Net · 12-13-2004, 10:23 PM

In a case like this, the proper expression would be "Don't break a leg!".

Good luck, Fred.

plthijinx · 12-13-2004, 10:30 PM

thanks guys. and it's a 1958 model plane. i hope the wings stay on! heh. lol. errrr

Clodfobble · 12-14-2004, 07:47 AM

Good luck!! You'll do great, I'm sure.

Undertoad · 12-14-2004, 07:59 AM

Just put 'er down on the freeway... any landing you walk away from is a good one.

plthijinx · 12-14-2004, 11:59 AM

yeah, there are 2 types of landings.....good landings and great landings. the difference being that you can use the airplane again after a great landing

FloridaDragon · 12-14-2004, 12:04 PM

I am no longer current on my private license and have been postponing getting checked out by an instructor again... will have to do some studying since it was just before 9/11 that I flew last. Certain I could run through the checklist and takeoff/land with no problems but remembering what all those little marks on the sectional mean is kinda blurry...

And I am sure the first time PBI approach rattled off alt, speed, heading, and transponder codes to me (all in 2.3 seconds) I would say "aaaah.. what was that?"....and they don't like that!

wolf · 12-14-2004, 12:39 PM

Fly, little bird, fly!

BrianR · 12-14-2004, 01:44 PM

Good Luck man...it ain't as bad as you expect.

I myself will be returning to the skies as soon as I get a new job and clear up a few pesky bills. Maybe I'll take a cross-country down thataway sometime. Only instead of M.E., I'm thinking of going for rotorcraft...just for kicks. That and my instrument ticket. Commercial I don't really need.

I hope you get in with Continental. It ain't bad to be paid for doing what you love anyway!

Brian

plthijinx · 12-15-2004, 12:20 AM

thanks wolf, brian and dragon. brian, have you looked into the prices for the rotorcraft? scary!!

get your instrument first. it's well worth it.

well as i expected, the plane wasn't ready for me to fly tonight for training. in fact, i helped get it back to flying condition by putting the left cowl/nacelle back on and also helped bleed the brakes sooooo i'll be doing the oral portion of the checkride tomorrow then get a "continuance" and do the flight portion later this week or this weekend. i don't feel comfortable with my single engine instrument approaches enough to attempt the practical. talk about a convoluted situation. it feels as if (with the left engine at "zero thrust" i.e. just enough power to simulate a feathered engine) your in a awkward situation. indeed you are however, literally putting sooooo much pressure on the right rudder pedal that you pray the seat back doesn't give way and banking into the good engine all while flying a localizer and glide slope (ils) just doesn't seem to work for me. all i need is some practice, of which i missed out on the last two days b/c of the generators going south. oh well. i'll get it. but something that REALLY gets me is the fact that the other two guys who are taking their rides tomorrow as well were there ALL DAY and did nothing but sit in the office while mike (the owner/mechanic) did all the work to get the plane going. hell, our instructor is an A&P (airframe & powerplant mechanic) for crying out loud and sat in there with them!!! i pull up and the plane is obviously not ready, i go into the office and mike is in there handling some business and told me what was going on. i was so pissed i said that i didn't drive all the way down there (45 mins) to do nothing so i turned around and went to the plane and started working on putting it back together. oh, i'm working on my A&P as well so it counts towards that rating. crap, i'm rambling and i'm not even drunk! LOL! ok venting is more like it. anyway, thanks for the support fellas. it really does help.

oh, and brian, or anyone else for that matter, mi casa es su casa! just ask zippyt!

xoxoxoBruce · 12-15-2004, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plthijinx

thanks guys. and it's a 1958 model plane. i hope the wings stay on! heh. lol. errrr

Hey, they built 'em solid back then......and the butterflys help with lift. Not to worry...everything be okey dokey.

BrianR · 12-15-2004, 01:08 PM

Yes, I've priced that course. It is indeed scary, but I *want* it. And I'll get it too, once I can afford it. But first things first. Bills. Then medical and back to ground school to see what has changed in the years since I went last. Then some time with an instructor to get back up to snuff on approaches and crosswind (my usual weaknesses), then the checkride for Private. THEN I go for my 200 hours and then get instrument. I agree that I want that more than rotorcraft. And can use it more often too. Many is the day when the clouds were just at or below minimums for VFR and I wanted to go fly but could not (or did not dare to) fly. VFR on top is too dangerous for me.

I just gotta find time for all this in between having a real job, which must come before any other fun things. I might be trucking through your town someday though. I'll email you if that happens. Layovers must happen ya know

Brian

plthijinx · 12-15-2004, 01:37 PM

that sounds like a plan brian.

well, i've gotten through the oral portion of my exam, passed that no problem. now all i have to do is the practical which will be sometime in the next few days when the examiner can meet back up with me.

plthijinx · 01-12-2005, 12:05 AM

tuesday, January 11, 2005.....wwwwooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo!
goterdone!!!!!!!! the examiner was very impressed with my check ride! it's the first check ride that i've ever done that i didn't bust on the initial attempt due to nerves! damn i wish my dad were still alive to see this! (he passed last september, i don't think i talked about that here, or anywhere for that matter. anyway, today is a GREAT day! thanks for the support people! it was greatly appreciated!

this is me, "my airplane" and my new temporary airman certificate:
commercial pilot
single engine land
multi-engine land
instrument airplane

12-13-2004, 09:42 PM	#1
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	up and coming FAA checkride ew boy. here we go again. i haven't been around the cellar too much as of late because i've been training for this coming wednesday, (12/15). i have my multi-engine commercial checkride and the butterflies have already started. i'm so sick of studying aerodynamics, charts, graphs, systems, airspace rules, etc. i could puke. i was supposed to fly tonight but the generator on the left engine said "SEE-YA!" and the voltage regulator ran off with the spoon! that plane HAS to be fixed tomorrow. i must fly as much as possible before wednesday's check ride. this is a big one for me. continental express has lowered their minimums to 600 and 100 which means 600 hours total time with 100 hours multi-engine time. a goal that i can reach in about a year now that i'm flying charters. the plane that i'm taking my check ride in is a piper geronimo although the pictures depicted here are of an apache, the plane that i'm flying has a geronimo tail instead of an apache's. (better handling in single engine emergencies so i'm told) anyway, i need this. i want this. i want the butterflies to go away. more to come........ __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

12-13-2004, 10:30 PM	#4
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	thanks guys. and it's a 1958 model plane. i hope the wings stay on! heh. lol. errrr __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

12-14-2004, 11:59 AM	#7
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	yeah, there are 2 types of landings.....good landings and great landings. the difference being that you can use the airplane again after a great landing __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

12-14-2004, 12:39 PM	#9
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Fly, little bird, fly! __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-14-2004, 01:44 PM	#10
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Good Luck man...it ain't as bad as you expect. I myself will be returning to the skies as soon as I get a new job and clear up a few pesky bills. Maybe I'll take a cross-country down thataway sometime. Only instead of M.E., I'm thinking of going for rotorcraft...just for kicks. That and my instrument ticket. Commercial I don't really need. I hope you get in with Continental. It ain't bad to be paid for doing what you love anyway! Brian __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

12-13-2004, 10:12 PM	#2
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	Good luck! And remember to keep the switch set to "wings stay on".

12-13-2004, 10:23 PM	#3
Nothing But Net Professor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 1,481	In a case like this, the proper expression would be "Don't break a leg!". Good luck, Fred.

12-14-2004, 07:47 AM	#5
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Good luck!! You'll do great, I'm sure.

12-14-2004, 07:59 AM	#6
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Just put 'er down on the freeway... any landing you walk away from is a good one.

12-14-2004, 12:04 PM	#8
FloridaDragon ... Maintaining .... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: FireAnt Hell Posts: 196	I am no longer current on my private license and have been postponing getting checked out by an instructor again... will have to do some studying since it was just before 9/11 that I flew last. Certain I could run through the checklist and takeoff/land with no problems but remembering what all those little marks on the sectional mean is kinda blurry... And I am sure the first time PBI approach rattled off alt, speed, heading, and transponder codes to me (all in 2.3 seconds) I would say "aaaah.. what was that?"....and they don't like that!

12-15-2004, 12:20 AM	#11
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	thanks wolf, brian and dragon. brian, have you looked into the prices for the rotorcraft? scary!! get your instrument first. it's well worth it. well as i expected, the plane wasn't ready for me to fly tonight for training. in fact, i helped get it back to flying condition by putting the left cowl/nacelle back on and also helped bleed the brakes sooooo i'll be doing the oral portion of the checkride tomorrow then get a "continuance" and do the flight portion later this week or this weekend. i don't feel comfortable with my single engine instrument approaches enough to attempt the practical. talk about a convoluted situation. it feels as if (with the left engine at "zero thrust" i.e. just enough power to simulate a feathered engine) your in a awkward situation. indeed you are however, literally putting sooooo much pressure on the right rudder pedal that you pray the seat back doesn't give way and banking into the good engine all while flying a localizer and glide slope (ils) just doesn't seem to work for me. all i need is some practice, of which i missed out on the last two days b/c of the generators going south. oh well. i'll get it. but something that REALLY gets me is the fact that the other two guys who are taking their rides tomorrow as well were there ALL DAY and did nothing but sit in the office while mike (the owner/mechanic) did all the work to get the plane going. hell, our instructor is an A&P (airframe & powerplant mechanic) for crying out loud and sat in there with them!!! i pull up and the plane is obviously not ready, i go into the office and mike is in there handling some business and told me what was going on. i was so pissed i said that i didn't drive all the way down there (45 mins) to do nothing so i turned around and went to the plane and started working on putting it back together. oh, i'm working on my A&P as well so it counts towards that rating. crap, i'm rambling and i'm not even drunk! LOL! ok venting is more like it. anyway, thanks for the support fellas. it really does help. oh, and brian, or anyone else for that matter, mi casa es su casa! just ask zippyt! __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

12-15-2004, 01:08 PM	#13
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Yes, I've priced that course. It is indeed scary, but I want it. And I'll get it too, once I can afford it. But first things first. Bills. Then medical and back to ground school to see what has changed in the years since I went last. Then some time with an instructor to get back up to snuff on approaches and crosswind (my usual weaknesses), then the checkride for Private. THEN I go for my 200 hours and then get instrument. I agree that I want that more than rotorcraft. And can use it more often too. Many is the day when the clouds were just at or below minimums for VFR and I wanted to go fly but could not (or did not dare to) fly. VFR on top is too dangerous for me. I just gotta find time for all this in between having a real job, which must come before any other fun things. I might be trucking through your town someday though. I'll email you if that happens. Layovers must happen ya know Brian __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

12-15-2004, 01:37 PM	#14
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	that sounds like a plan brian. well, i've gotten through the oral portion of my exam, passed that no problem. now all i have to do is the practical which will be sometime in the next few days when the examiner can meet back up with me. __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

01-12-2005, 12:05 AM	#15
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	tuesday, January 11, 2005.....wwwwooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo! goterdone!!!!!!!! the examiner was very impressed with my check ride! it's the first check ride that i've ever done that i didn't bust on the initial attempt due to nerves! damn i wish my dad were still alive to see this! (he passed last september, i don't think i talked about that here, or anywhere for that matter. anyway, today is a GREAT day! thanks for the support people! it was greatly appreciated! this is me, "my airplane" and my new temporary airman certificate: commercial pilot single engine land multi-engine land instrument airplane Attached Images __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream. Last edited by plthijinx; 01-12-2005 at 12:08 AM.

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