Skill test - do I keep my mouth shut?
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canada
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As the saying goes "far better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you are a fool rather than open it and let them know for sure". I think the worse thing is hearing pilots trying to explain away errors when all they do is to dig a deeper hole for themselves!
A related danger in "commenting on things like ground features I have noticed while reading from chart" is that it could be misinterpreted as uncertainty, or an implied request for confirmation from the examiner ... a rather weak impression to convey.
When I was doing pilotage in the navy, the drill was to constantly pass information to the captain. We were told that we should regard the latter as a radio: as long as we kept up the information flow, he would remain on 'receive', but if we fell silent he might switch to 'transmit' and start bombarding one with distracting and potentially difficult questions. But that was a different scenario, in that a navigation officer does not bear ultimate responsibility for the safety of the vessel. It would be a mistake to treat the examiner as the effective captain of the aircraft: the examinee is nominally the PIC, and is expected to act like one.
Like Saab. I too mucked up my PFL on the first go, but nailed it 2nd time.
PFLs are the most common item failed on PPL and CPL flight tests, but that wasn't much comfort at the time. 
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kelty
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Hi All,
I said I'd let you know how my skill test went. I took the test last Tuesday in the evening (was in the air from 1730 - 1930). The conditions were great, although it was very hazy in places. I'm relieved to say I passed and the test ended up being a very positive and enjoyable experience.
I found the comments you all made about chatting, although differing, did ring true during the test. At times, I told my examiner where I was along track so he knew I was aware of the ground features as we passed them and I had to make a heading and ETA adjustment at the halfway point on the first leg, so I told him what adjuatments I was making and why. As we approached the first turning point, it was very hazy indeed and I hadn't flown there before, so I was really uncertain as to whether I was on track. Having nothing positive to say, I decided to keep my mouth shut and wait for the revised ETA. Thankfully the village was under the nose, so I was able to positively identify it once I orbited. After that my confidence grew and the rest of the test went very well.
Now I just need to wait for the caa to oblige with my licence
.
Thanks again for all your comments and tips everyone.
Paul.
I said I'd let you know how my skill test went. I took the test last Tuesday in the evening (was in the air from 1730 - 1930). The conditions were great, although it was very hazy in places. I'm relieved to say I passed and the test ended up being a very positive and enjoyable experience.
I found the comments you all made about chatting, although differing, did ring true during the test. At times, I told my examiner where I was along track so he knew I was aware of the ground features as we passed them and I had to make a heading and ETA adjustment at the halfway point on the first leg, so I told him what adjuatments I was making and why. As we approached the first turning point, it was very hazy indeed and I hadn't flown there before, so I was really uncertain as to whether I was on track. Having nothing positive to say, I decided to keep my mouth shut and wait for the revised ETA. Thankfully the village was under the nose, so I was able to positively identify it once I orbited. After that my confidence grew and the rest of the test went very well.
Now I just need to wait for the caa to oblige with my licence
.Thanks again for all your comments and tips everyone.
Paul.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Paul, CONGRATULATIONS! 
For what it's worth, I do tend to talk (or should that be 'commentate') when I have passengers on board. Especially my better half, as she's a nervous flyer and having me provide a commentary on what I'm doing, when, and why, helps her to anticipate what's about to happen, and takes a lot of the fear and apprehension out of the experience. She's even starting to enjoy it.
BM
For what it's worth, I do tend to talk (or should that be 'commentate') when I have passengers on board. Especially my better half, as she's a nervous flyer and having me provide a commentary on what I'm doing, when, and why, helps her to anticipate what's about to happen, and takes a lot of the fear and apprehension out of the experience. She's even starting to enjoy it.
BM
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Thanks for the tip BM. My wife can't wait to go up with me (if she's not the first, then she's getting a divorce K
. That said, she also used to be a nervous flyer and says that if I tell her what's happening and what I'm doing etc, then she reckons that will help her to relax more. Time will tell.
Paul.
K. That said, she also used to be a nervous flyer and says that if I tell her what's happening and what I'm doing etc, then she reckons that will help her to relax more. Time will tell.Paul.
