PPL Checkride - WriteUp

killbilly · May 4th, 2008, 10:44

Decided to abbreviate this since it was a looong day. Everyone knows to study the PTS - no different here. Just remember that the DPE can ask you things that AREN'T in the PTS - they just can't grade you for it.

Maneuvers were all as expected, and I flew some of them better than I ever have, (steep turns, hood work) and some of them I didn't fly well at all (stalls) and some were just marginal. Didn't have to to ground reference maneuvers because my pattern work was good, apparently.

Landings were all fairly solid, where they were supposed to be. I'm a little proud of this fact because it was bumpy and the wind was shifting back and forth between 330-010 around 13 knots.

Highlights:

DPE introduced me to damn near everyone at the FBO. Super nice people, and she had me sit in an AgWagon that they use for banner tow. That thing is like a WWII fighter - it's huge, it's full of cables and levers and pulleys and just looks like a blast to fly. I really want a tailwheel endorsement.
Simulated engine-out became my first grass-field landing. That was kinda cool. Never done that before. Definitely illustrates the need for soft-field takeoff/landing techniques. Very cool little public-use strip that I didn't even know about.
DPE taught me to steer the airplane with the doors. That was a hoot - I'd read about it, but never done it. She pointed out that as long as my arms are, in a 152, I could conceivably steer the airplane if I lost the rudder just fine. Seriously, try this sometime. It's a lot of fun.

I've had days where I flew better, but not many. I did this pretty well. Felt good. I was sort of dreading the test part of it, but the test was only part of it. What I really had was a really fun, educational day flying with a new CFI/Pilot who happened to issue me a temporary airman certificate at the end of the day.

Wish I hadn't been in a hurry to get back to AUS, but I've got to fly to OKC today on business.

Next week, I'm gonna get familiar with the Austin area a little with a CFI, and then take some friends up for some pleasure flights. Should be fun.

germb747 · May 4th, 2008, 13:26

Congrats on a job well done!

MarkE · May 4th, 2008, 14:56

Awesome job man..congrats!

Chewie von Nubbins · May 7th, 2008, 22:41

Congrats man.

esa17 · May 7th, 2008, 23:00

Good job!

Now steering with the doors....I wonder if I can do that on my 135 ride.

nosehair · May 10th, 2008, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by killbilly

She pointed out that as long as my arms are, in a 152, I could conceivably steer the airplane if I lost the rudder just fine.

What were you guys smokin'? I want some.

killbilly · May 10th, 2008, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosehair

What were you guys smokin'? I want some.

Ask the DPE, man - this was entirely her idea. I was just doing what I was told.

May 4th, 2008, 10:44	#1
killbilly Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,966	PPL Checkride - WriteUp Decided to abbreviate this since it was a looong day. Everyone knows to study the PTS - no different here. Just remember that the DPE can ask you things that AREN'T in the PTS - they just can't grade you for it. Maneuvers were all as expected, and I flew some of them better than I ever have, (steep turns, hood work) and some of them I didn't fly well at all (stalls) and some were just marginal. Didn't have to to ground reference maneuvers because my pattern work was good, apparently. Landings were all fairly solid, where they were supposed to be. I'm a little proud of this fact because it was bumpy and the wind was shifting back and forth between 330-010 around 13 knots. Highlights: DPE introduced me to damn near everyone at the FBO. Super nice people, and she had me sit in an AgWagon that they use for banner tow. That thing is like a WWII fighter - it's huge, it's full of cables and levers and pulleys and just looks like a blast to fly. I really want a tailwheel endorsement. Simulated engine-out became my first grass-field landing. That was kinda cool. Never done that before. Definitely illustrates the need for soft-field takeoff/landing techniques. Very cool little public-use strip that I didn't even know about. DPE taught me to steer the airplane with the doors. That was a hoot - I'd read about it, but never done it. She pointed out that as long as my arms are, in a 152, I could conceivably steer the airplane if I lost the rudder just fine. Seriously, try this sometime. It's a lot of fun. I've had days where I flew better, but not many. I did this pretty well. Felt good. I was sort of dreading the test part of it, but the test was only part of it. What I really had was a really fun, educational day flying with a new CFI/Pilot who happened to issue me a temporary airman certificate at the end of the day. Wish I hadn't been in a hurry to get back to AUS, but I've got to fly to OKC today on business. Next week, I'm gonna get familiar with the Austin area a little with a CFI, and then take some friends up for some pleasure flights. Should be fun. __________________ "The first rule of Flight Club is you do not talk about Flight Club."

May 4th, 2008, 13:26	#2
germb747 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	Re: PPL Checkride - WriteUp Congrats on a job well done!

May 4th, 2008, 14:56	#3
MarkE Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tarzana, CA (KVNY) Posts: 1,496	Re: PPL Checkride - WriteUp Awesome job man..congrats!

May 7th, 2008, 22:41	#4
Chewie von Nubbins Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KGKY Posts: 936	Re: PPL Checkride - WriteUp Congrats man. __________________ CFI, CFII, IGI

May 7th, 2008, 23:00	#5
esa17 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: JAX FL Posts: 414	Re: PPL Checkride - WriteUp Good job! Now steering with the doors....I wonder if I can do that on my 135 ride. __________________ Being captain is about pure intuition and heart, a good captain can't have either one.

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