GFPT Checkride
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tinseltown
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I passed my GFPT on 17/1, and the Testing Officer was literally ticking (and crossing mind you!) the back of the application form, which I guess is how they know they've covered everything.
I actually failed my first test on 9/1 due to absolutely losing it in the circuit... VERY disappointing.. I just baulked my flapless and short field landings
.. Too high on approach which resulted in a go around or too low on base (be established at 500'+ AGL on final!) I guess not having done a circuit lesson or any solo practice in the circuit since April last year didn't help. Spent too much time getting everything right in the training area which did pay off.
Just make sure you know how to answer/do everything thats on the back of the form and you can't go wrong and good luck if you haven't alreay passed
I actually failed my first test on 9/1 due to absolutely losing it in the circuit... VERY disappointing.. I just baulked my flapless and short field landings
.. Too high on approach which resulted in a go around or too low on base (be established at 500'+ AGL on final!) I guess not having done a circuit lesson or any solo practice in the circuit since April last year didn't help. Spent too much time getting everything right in the training area which did pay off.Just make sure you know how to answer/do everything thats on the back of the form and you can't go wrong and good luck if you haven't alreay passed
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Having passed my GFPT about 6 months ago the only thing I would add to the above comments is RELAX RELAX RELAX ....and yes, not an easy thing to do!. I received a "You can obviously fly, just relax !" from the tester. Having your PFL's absolutely up to scratch also makes it less stressful 
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Agreed on the 'relax' part. You've done it all before, if you weren't able to then you wouldn't be sitting the test in the first place. If you get stressed out it'll only make your performance worse.
Oh, and make sure you've got your PFLs and crosswind landings down pat, the former because it's probably what you'll most easily be failed for if you screw up, and the latter because you never know what conditions (wind-wise) you might end up going up in (had a 14kt crosswind for mine).
Oh, and make sure you've got your PFLs and crosswind landings down pat, the former because it's probably what you'll most easily be failed for if you screw up, and the latter because you never know what conditions (wind-wise) you might end up going up in (had a 14kt crosswind for mine).
Last edited by b_sta; 23rd Jan 2009 at 02:51.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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True "short field" landings are a thing of the past and rightly so.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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precautionary forced landing as well. good for weather stress, last light muff ups etc. at least thats what I was taught back in the days.
Someone early in the piece said " know your radio proceedures". Yeah, I remember my Restricted licence test ( shows you how old I am ) and all was going well. Did the best cross wind landing at a remote airfield that I have ever done in a screaming crosswind, real proud of myself. As soon as I had rolled out, I was told to return to home base ( Parafield ). I had failed.
The reason was that I had completely stuffed up the inbound call. At the time I was realy downcast and considered that I was too dumb for flying (some say I still am ) but now I can see the reason. To let other people know what I am doing. I think the reason why this happened was that I was very uptight. Try to treat your test as any other lesson ( difficult, I know ) but this will help you to not make simple mistakes and get as down on yourself as I did. My commercial test was much better because I was much more relaxed, treating it as just another lesson. Good luck, relax and enjoy. And another thing. Dont rely on memory. Plan, write everything down, notes on your charts or on your kneeboard will be most usefull and will be looked upon favourably.
The reason was that I had completely stuffed up the inbound call. At the time I was realy downcast and considered that I was too dumb for flying (some say I still am ) but now I can see the reason. To let other people know what I am doing. I think the reason why this happened was that I was very uptight. Try to treat your test as any other lesson ( difficult, I know ) but this will help you to not make simple mistakes and get as down on yourself as I did. My commercial test was much better because I was much more relaxed, treating it as just another lesson. Good luck, relax and enjoy. And another thing. Dont rely on memory. Plan, write everything down, notes on your charts or on your kneeboard will be most usefull and will be looked upon favourably.
Last edited by Arnold E; 23rd Jan 2009 at 12:19.
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Your Flying School/Instructor will cover all of that.
Having passed my GFPT about 6 months ago the only thing I would add to the above comments is RELAX RELAX RELAX ....and yes, not an easy thing to do!. I received a "You can obviously fly, just relax !" from the tester.
In twenty years time, when you maybe become an ATO, make sure you remember this.Wrt short field landings - absolutely agree with other posters, they are a fallacy and don't exist in GA aircraft. It doesn't matter what graph you look at in the POH, the LDR is calculated with a 50' threshhold crossing and 1.3 Vs. Why on earth are CASA expecting you to demonstrate something other than this?
Another example of where CASA don't even understand what they are requiring people to demonstrate.
Short field landings with less than 1.3 Vs protection and less than 50' crossing heights came from military applications and have no place in CASA flight tests.
