PPL Flight Test

[richie-rich]

guys
I have my much awaited PPL flight test coming up in three days.

I would like you guys to shed some tips/insight on the test ( I already know the syllabus and things I would be checked on) but anything that would do to keep my confidence up during the test/tips etc would be much appreciated.

Thank you all and safe flying.
Richie

[boardpig]

Enjoy it,

You wouldn't have been recommended to take the test if you weren't ready. Do everything as you normally would (I know, easier said than done) and don't worry about making mistakes. As long as you pick them upm you'll be fine. I headed up the YSBK lane and got so engrossed, I kept going at the end, almost up to Warnervale. I was supposed to be heading do Cessnock! But I soon discovered my mistake and corrected the heading (even used the Mcquoid vor to verify track). I thought my test had ended right there, but no, all good.
As long as the flight is conducted is a safe manner, its in the bag.
BP.

[james michael]

Be prepared for a diversion at a busy time - usually through a restricted area or a CTA step.

Don't relax too much back in the home circuit - keep on top of it all the way to locking the aircraft.

Treat the tester as Auntie Maude, a happy passenger allowing you to fly the aircraft as PIC - that's what the test is set to confirm. (Just make sure Maude does not gently lean on the rudder at any time, or forget to latch door or belt up - been known to happen.)

[povopilot]

Don't sweat if you do shag it up, you dont have to redo the whole thing, just what wasn't covered on the initial test. Also my examiner loved it when i gave him estimates asap after take off and way points and dont forget the old 1 in 60. You should get your route a while before the test so maybe look up ground features and tracking points on google earth. Make sure your not that eager to go that you forget about getting the weather just before you depart to check it is not 8/8 at 1000' at your destination. Don't forget all of your checks as well. Good Luck.

[VH-XXX]

As stated the diversion might trip you up. Usually it will take you through a restricted area, CTA step or similar. The trick will be to find exactly where you are on the map when the diversion is thrown at you, look at where you are going to go for the diversion, then check the map and airspace etc. You might need to call centre for example to check the status of the airspace, even if you have it in your Notams. You may not even actually end up going there, they will just be looking to confirm that you are following the right steps first.

[BrazDriver]

Sorry to sound crude. But your instructor should be your 1st stop for this type of information. If he has left you in the dark of what to expect that isn't very good at all. Your recommendation is a 2 way street, where both the instructor and the student feel confident about the test!


Good Luck!

[AussieNick]

talk things through. It's all well and good that you know what your doing when asked to perform something, but the ATO can't read minds, talk it out loud, it allows them to really understand your thought process. Helps them a lot.


But most of all, have fun mate :ok:

[Mick.B]

Watch you VA in turbulence. Instant fail. :ok:

[flog]

Use the ATO/CFI to hold maps / pens / etc. when you're entering the circuit or under the hood. They are there as a pax and have hands to hold stuff with, 99% are happy to help.

It's likely that your diversion will involve low flying towards the end and then finding some remote strip you've never seen or heard of before. Don't stress if you can't spot it at first, just run through the local landmarks and make sure you know the towns you were heading for. Once you've spotted it watch out for the engine failure...

CLEAROF or whatever memnonic you use ever 30 minutes is a must.

Don't forget your pre-take-off brief to yourself. "If engine fails before Xkts maintain control, brake, etc, etc.". Or you might find your mixture being pulled just as you throtte up for take-off.

Don't sweat it. You've made it this far and the instructor thinks you can do it so most probably you can!

flog.

[bentleg]

Dont track crawl (follow your track on the chart along the ground). Fly the planned heading, then make a correction to the heading to get back on track, or to proceed direct to the next waypoint.

You will make it.........

[UnderneathTheRadar]

Two of things that helpe me out no end:

1. No matter how much you think you've stuffed up, the test isn't over until the examiner says it is - if they're terminating the test they have to tell you, if they haven't then you're still in the game.

2. They're looking for you to exercise command judgement. While I don't advocate stuffing up an approach, if it looks at all iffy then be prepared to call a go-around early and decisively - will provide a very good impression that you're not going not going to try and save an un-saveable situation.

Good luck,

UTR

[NZFlyingKiwi]

Just what some others have said already - if you stuff something up (and no matter how good you are, at some point something will go a little less than perfectly) just move on and forget about it - the testing officer isn't going to be dwelling on it either, at least until after the test is over.

Make sure you are completely clear on everything - if the testing officer says something, and you aren't completely sure what he means, get him to clarify. You won't fail for asking a question that may seem silly to you - you might fail for doing something silly because you weren't sure what you were supposed to be doing.

That advice goes for any flight test I suppose.

[HardCorePawn]

Not sure if they do it in your neck of the woods... but make sure you put airsick bags on board. For bonus points, make sure the examiner sees you do it.

I had been reminded twice, by different people, and duly forgot (my flight test was done at the end of an 8 hour day due wx)... when I was setting up downwind during the circuit work, the examiner looks and me and says "gee, i'm not feeling very well"...

Realising that I had forgotten the bags and had been caught out, I tried "Would you like me to make this one a full stop?"

Him: "Got anything on board?"

Me: "Got a headset bag in the back"

Him: "Should I use that then?"

Me: "I'd rather you used a $15 headset bag, than me having to spend the rest of the day cleaning out the aircraft!"

Of course, you're not going to fail for forgetting airsick bags, but attention to detail goes a loooooooong way.

I really had no idea how well I had done, until I had parked up, he turned to me, stuck out his hand and said congratulations... but the thing to remember is, as previously mentioned, that they have to give you the option to terminate the test immediately, if you fail at any part of it... so as long as they're still getting you to do the various exercises, you are still in the game!

Oh, and know your airspace boundaries and look out for cloud... nothing says "FAIL" like executing a turn into controlled airspace without clearance or straight into cloud!

Best of luck! :ok:

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

the examiner looks and me and says "gee, i'm not feeling very well"...

Tell the f*cker to pull his shoes off and puke into them!

Dr :8

[VH-XXX]

I was kinda grilled before the flight.

eg. How much flap will you use for takeoff (C172)?

I said, 10 degrees. He says why, I say because that's what the CFI said to do, he said, under who's authority, I said I dunno.... essentially he wanted to make sure that if I crash and kill my passengers and I was doing something that wasn't in the POH, then that's bad, etc, etc, hope that makes sense.

I was also asked basic stuff before the flight, like what does a PPL entitle you to do? (eg, single engine, up to 5,700 kg's) sort of like a quick quiz.

He pretty much set out to make sure that I wasn't gonna do something really stupid once I got my licence to the best he could.

[Atlas Shrugged]

I did mine with the "Gordon Ramsay of ATO's" ;), John Bressington a long time ago. The first thing he said to me as we sat down in the aircraft was:

"Listen, you already have your license unless you do something stupid on this flight to loose it. It's just another :mad: flight. If you're not prepared I'll :mad: kill you before the :mad: aircraft does. If you are prepared then forget I'm :mad: here, relax and just get on with it."

The next thing he said as we were taxiing out - "Get on the :mad: yellow :mad: line and stay the :mad: on it!"........D'OH :ugh:

[TLAW]

If you're doing your test in the arvo, remember to check last light, especially at this time of year.

[AussieNick]

I did mine with the "Gordon Ramsay of ATO's" ;), John Bressington a long time ago. The first thing he said to me as we sat down in the aircraft was:

"Listen, you already have your license unless you do something stupid on this flight to loose it. It's just another :mad: flight. If you're not prepared I'll :mad: kill you before the :mad: aircraft does. If you are prepared then forget I'm :mad: here, relax and just get on with it."

The next thing he said as we were taxiing out - "Get on the :mad: yellow :mad: line and stay the :mad: on it!"........D'OH :ugh:sounds like the ATO who did mine lol

[Walrus 7]

A good ATO won't be looking for you to know how to fly an aeroplane. Your license is the starting point in the learning process. What they should be looking for is that you have been trained right and are safe to go out on your own and make decisions without supervision.

You won't be judged harshly if you don't trim the aeroplane exactly right; you will be judged harshly if you don't make any attempt to trim it at all. Getting lost won't be a sin either; failing to recognise that you are lost will be.

And don't be afraid to use commonsense. I was tracking toward a town and realised that I was left of track, so I took out my whizz wheel and started a one-in-60 to get me back on track. The bloke in the right seat asked me where I thought I was, and couldn't I see the town looming large to the right of the nose.

Yes, I replied, I was just doing a one-in-60 to get us back on track, which is the correct thing to do.

":mad:the one-in-60" he said. If you can see the bloody town, just fly there!"

That has been my philosophy ever since: just fly there.

Walrus

[povopilot]

Walrus, "Just flying there" is the exact reason that i know all to well about re-sitting the test!. I also got told to go around twice at a busy ctaf because i was distracted by some lunatic doing crosswind circuits with in-comprehensible calls and i forgot my pre-landing checks.

[Flyingblind]

Walrus....loved the ATO's comment of 'Just fly there'

Nice to hear a bit of KISS.

[dude65]

They may stick you under the hood for 15 or 20 and then ask what town you're over when the hood is removed. If you know the town ,and there's a good chance you will, at least pretend to work our where you are using your map and ground features.

Or you could use time ,speed and heading from your position when the hood was placed on your melon, but that would be cheating.

[Mustangbaz]

please don't do what i did after a perfect cross through Amberly ATC when Active, correctly identify a little town, perform a textbook PFL then a low level diversion to Milmerran only to decend through the live side of the circuit :ugh:, instant failure....... although 2 weeks later finished off the rest no prob's..............

Good luck you'll do fine

(Just out of interest on my Pre-Test while doing an entry into an incipent spin in an Archer, we flipped it upside down has anyone else done this?, we tried again but it to no avail.) :cool:

[Atlas Shrugged]

'Just fly there'

:D:D:D:ok:

[9v-SKA]

I would say take it easy don't get stressed up. My Instructors stressed that when under immense stress, pilots tend to make mistakes.

Relax take it easy just like any other flight.

Do your checks out loud.

Be prepared for anything. I left my flashlight back in the breifing room and when the CFI asked for it he explained to me that we have to be prepared for anything even if we are only day VFR rated.

:ok:All the best! You can do it!

btw: Let me know if you logged the flight test as PIC or dual. Kinda forgot to fill that in and lost contact with my instructor.

[bentleg]

Let me know if you logged the flight test as PIC or dual

Don't think you can log as PIC if you are not licensed to fly the aircraft.

[richie-rich]

wohoeeee....thanks to EVERY1 who has contributed to this thread. despite this being a rumour network and home to a lot of negative posts/comments, i am thankful that there are people who are always positive in their approach and willing to help out other pilots....

Did most things okay....didnt infringe CTA or anything of that sort...Airmanship was exceptional, according to the ATO. PSL marginal for not having too much practice. Diversion good, PFL very good, full stalls (Y) .

Thank you again guys and i hope I am able to learn things from all of your positive nature. Very kind of you all.

Done with all my CPL theory papers. CPL, here I come........!!

Richie

[9v-SKA]

Don't think you can log as PIC if you are not licensed to fly the aircraft.

But you are able to log PIC on solo flights before getting your PPL?

[NZFlyingKiwi]

Congratulations! :)

When I did my PPL flight test I was told to log it PIC, but it may be different in Australia.

[HardCorePawn]

I concur...

My flight examiner advised me to log my PPL flight test as PinC... in red pen... apparently this is the tradition...

It is my understanding, that all flight tests are PinC...

[Lasiorhinus]

CAO 40.1.0, para 10.3 The holder of a student pilot licence may log as time in command only that time during which he or she is the sole occupant of an aeroplane in flight.

During a PPL Flight Test, you are the holder of a Student Pilot Licence. Your Private Licence does not turn up in the post until a week or so later.

You are not the sole occupant of the aircraft in flight, therefore you cannot log the test as 'command'.



Having said all of that, does this therefore mean that a student pilot who holds a GFPT, and therefore permitted to carry passengers, is not permitted to log the time flown while carrying passengers, as s/he is not the sole occupant of the aeroplane in flight?:confused:

[Atlas Shrugged]

Is the GFPT a student pilot licence or, is it the a "Restricted" PPL?

[bentleg]

Is the GFPT a student pilot licence or, is it the a "Restricted" PPL?

You require a Student Licence before you can go solo with an instructor's approval. No pax. No cross country.

GFPT pass means you know how to fly the 'plane, but not how to fly cross country. You can fly in command with an instructor's approval, usually within, but not confined to, the local area. You can carry passengers in the local area with an instructor's approval. PPL removes these restrictions.

Restricted PPL no longer exists - was the fore-runner of GFPT I think.

[Lasiorhinus]

and before the thread drifts too much,

CONGRATULATIONS richie-rich! :ok::ok:

[HardCorePawn]

Been checking this thread waiting for the update on how his test went... and only just realised I missed the post up there! :}

Congrats mate... :D:D:ok::ok:


***Thread Drift Alert***

As for the whole logging time thing... I guess they just do things different in Austruckafalia...

CAR 61 Subpart C - Student Pilots
61.107 Limitations

A person who does not hold a current pilot licence issued in accordance
with this Part must not act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft—

(1) for remuneration; or
(2) if the aircraft is being operated for hire or reward; or
(3) on an international flight; or
(4) if any other person is being carried on the aircraft other than a flight examiner or flight instructor.


The weird part is that we also have:

CAR 61 Subpart A - General

61.31 Pilot logbooks – crediting flight time

(f) A flight examiner is entitled to be credited with pilot-in-command
flight time while carrying out a flight test.


So I guess it is the Flight Examiners discretion as to whether or not you can act as PinC... :confused:

[AussieNick]

Congratulations Mate

[richie-rich]

Thanks guys :ok:

Thought I would buy myself a six pack of beer but cant wait to start CPL navs. Alas, still havent managed that so far :bored:

so have one for me guys!!

[Kickatinalong]

You just have to love the man, he still does my FIR(A) and I really look forward to flying with the old "B" When you wake up he is only trying to load you up and put some extra pressure on you.
It's easy to fix yourself, just tell him to "Gordon Ramsey" OFF !! he will love it trust me.
Kickatinalong,:D:D:D

[Atlas Shrugged]

just tell him to "Gordon Ramsey" OFF !! he will love it trust me.


Or belt you over the head with the yoke ;);)