[Chewie von Nubbins]

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

. . . and the word is . . . EQUIPMENT FAILURE!!!!

So this morning I get together with my CFI, and we decide we'll shoot the approach a couple of times before I get together with the examiner. We discussed my feelings about why my approach was so far off, and for the life of me, I can't come up with a good reason. I thought I was tracking it in spot on. So, with that in mind, and me double guessing myself for the last two nights thinking I've got a problem with NDB's, up we go.

On the way out to the hold point, we start to lose DME. We were about at the point of the hold when we lost it, tracking the NDB bearing spot on, and guessing we're on top of the hold point we call up approach. Here's the play by play:
"Tucson Approach, N5215D request."
"15D, Approach."
"We've lost DME, request DME from TUCSON VOR and WHITN"
"15D, 22 miles from TUS. THREE MILES NORTH of WHITN!!!!!!"
"Approach, please reconfirm 15D's location."
"15D, you are 22.1 miles, 3 miles north of WHITN."
"Approach, 15D request freq change, VFR to RYN."
"15D, freq change approved, RYN 125.8."
"Over to RYN, thanks, 15D."

The look on my CFI's face said it all. I busted my check ride because the freakin' ADF on the plane was incorrect. We headed back to RYN, talked to the examiner about the situation, and rescheduled the NDB approach for next week after maintenance gets a look at the plane.

Guess what, I'm instrument qualified, but the plane wasn't ready for the task. Its great to know that the last two nights laying awake wondering why I screwed up that NDB approach had nothing to do with me. So I get to go back up again next week to do that NDB approach again. It is a big relief. But ... I'm also going to sit down with the school and have a serious talk with management about how they will cut the check for the second ride for me out of their wallet - I will not pay for it out of my pocket. I know its maybe not a big deal, but if by chance I can get through the rest of this without a pink, I'll always have one that I didn't deserve. I'm a bit miffed right now.

But I'm flying...

Nice. Been passively keeping up with your posts, and sorry to hear about the bust. BUT...nice to know that it wasn't your technique.

Been keeping my head in the CFII studies over the past month. When you get there and study the FOI's....go back and look at this post and you are going to laugh.

Projection, rationalization:

Projection:

"But ... I'm also going to sit down with the school and have a serious talk with management about how they will cut the check for the second ride for me out of their wallet - I will not pay for it out of my pocket."

Rationalization / Projection:

"Its great to know that the last two nights laying awake wondering why I screwed up that NDB approach had nothing to do with me. So I get to go back up again next week to do that NDB approach again."



CPRDRFAR