Today was my Instrument Checkride. It went really well until the NDB approach . . .
The oral portion was good, although I felt a bit overwhelmed during a lot of it. I thought we really dived in deep, and the examiner did a great job of showing me a couple of special items which I had no clue of. I think that no matter how many questions you get right, the examiners have some "special" questions they'll always pull out. Okay with me - more learnin'.
The plane we were using had its 100hr yesterday, and maintenance was rushing to get it going for me today. Cudos to our rockin' mechs, as they squeaked it in right under the wire. (The examiner and I taxied from the bay practically.)
Starting out on the flying portion, it was pretty busy around the field today. We took off and were promptly told that the initial approach we had planned wouldn't happen. We got vectors to another approach (no "own nav" today with traffic.) and I proceeded to make Wilbur and Orville turn over in their graves with my version of an NDB approach. I'm still not sure if it was me or the plane smoking crack, but it was ugly. Altitudes were good, but I just could not track that NDB course in. Tower had me turn left out of the pattern about a mile from MDA, and that was it.
The examiner allowed me to choose whether to go on or not, and although every inch of me was screaming to get out of the plane, I decided it was best to keep going.
We then proceeded onto a Localizer approach, one which I had never done before. "I really wasn't ready for this," I thought. But it went great. I think I was still in shock from the mess up on the NDB, and almost made a couple of really stupid mistakes. But it turned out well. We went missed and started to get vectors out to the ILS.
All of a sudden the examiner says, "I have the controls." What the #@$^@#% I thought. "Today isn't my day." But, I'd forgotten we were still going to do unusual attitudes. I seriously about soiled myself when he said "My controls." So, the unusual attitudes went great. I love them. Almost as much as practicing hood stalls at night (another story). But fun.
The final to full stop approach was the ILS, which I'd say I put a nail in. Seriously, ILS approaches are a blast. At minimums the hood came off and we touched down.
So, although it was a pink slip day
it wasn't all bad. I've nailed the NDB/DME a dozen times, but today was not one of those! I'm going back up to shoot the NDB on Friday with him, and plan to nail that one. So wish me luck.
thanks for reading . . .