skill test
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hi there..sorry I written my last blog under time pressure and it did sound a bit like i wasnt sure what I was talking about. --> but I dont appreciate any comments like I should not be flying. 
It is one thing to know about it and fly properly but another thing to try and write done exactly what you are going to do from memory and beeing unsure about one or two things. At least that what it is for me. 
1. yes passanger brief I do before actually starting the plane
2. the "emergency brief" is called captains brief in my checklist and is done before you call ready for departure is is more flight, emergency related and explains about the take off etc "joelgarabedian" had pretty much summed it up as I would do the brief
3. Stalls:
The manoeuvre simulating a stall whilst turning onto base/final --> i learned to never roll level before increasing airspeed to make sure the wings are unstalled and you do not risk spinning etc
4. What kind of other inflight emergency drills are common during the skill test apart from the engine failture, divertion?
It is one thing to know about it and fly properly but another thing to try and write done exactly what you are going to do from memory and beeing unsure about one or two things. At least that what it is for me. 1. yes passanger brief I do before actually starting the plane
2. the "emergency brief" is called captains brief in my checklist and is done before you call ready for departure is is more flight, emergency related and explains about the take off etc "joelgarabedian" had pretty much summed it up as I would do the brief
3. Stalls:
The manoeuvre simulating a stall whilst turning onto base/final --> i learned to never roll level before increasing airspeed to make sure the wings are unstalled and you do not risk spinning etc
4. What kind of other inflight emergency drills are common during the skill test apart from the engine failture, divertion?
Last edited by screetch; 11th Jun 2010 at 10:51.
In a single pilot aeroplane there is no point reciting to pax what you intend to do if the engine fails on take off. They probably will not understand what you are talking about and will start asking questions which will distract you from the task in hand.
The way to do it in SPA is, as you line up 'mentally rehearse what might happen and how you would react' that is all.
The same with 'in flight checks', check what your examiner would like you to do, but I would say the professional approach is to do them silently. Talking out loud about fuel, mixture, pumps etc, again can upset passengers if they are nervous.
The way to do it in SPA is, as you line up 'mentally rehearse what might happen and how you would react' that is all.
The same with 'in flight checks', check what your examiner would like you to do, but I would say the professional approach is to do them silently. Talking out loud about fuel, mixture, pumps etc, again can upset passengers if they are nervous.
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My PPL instructor told me a passenger brief is essential, but the emergency brief is good practice for when undertaking the CPL skill test where it is required. I think if you do do an emergency brief it's important to be sure about what you are going to do and make it clear that it is YOU that will do it. "I will rotate at.... I will land back on the runway..." etc.
My skill test was just over 2 hours. It's best to exaggerate your checks to make sure the examiner knows you have done them. I'm not sure it should be considered more professional to do the checks silently, I think pilot activity where passengers don't know what you are doing is when they start to become apprehensive or afraid.
In terms of emergencies, you'll definitely get the PFL, and be prepared for an EFATO when climbing away straight after it. Otherwise you can look forward to it in the circuits.
I'd ask the examiner to do the circuits last. It'll save you some money if it all goes wrong in the Nav.
For the Nav section, plan well away from any potential problem sites as the first leg is all dead reckoning. When you get the diversion, plan it, fly it, and while enroute sort out a position fix. That way you'll have all the time you need to sort it out rather than it being dropped on you.
The CAA charged me an extra £4.25 to send my license and log book etc. back to me. It did take around 3 weeks (Arrived yesterday).
Hope this helps, good luck.
My skill test was just over 2 hours. It's best to exaggerate your checks to make sure the examiner knows you have done them. I'm not sure it should be considered more professional to do the checks silently, I think pilot activity where passengers don't know what you are doing is when they start to become apprehensive or afraid.
In terms of emergencies, you'll definitely get the PFL, and be prepared for an EFATO when climbing away straight after it. Otherwise you can look forward to it in the circuits.
I'd ask the examiner to do the circuits last. It'll save you some money if it all goes wrong in the Nav.
For the Nav section, plan well away from any potential problem sites as the first leg is all dead reckoning. When you get the diversion, plan it, fly it, and while enroute sort out a position fix. That way you'll have all the time you need to sort it out rather than it being dropped on you.
The CAA charged me an extra £4.25 to send my license and log book etc. back to me. It did take around 3 weeks (Arrived yesterday).
Hope this helps, good luck.
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My PPL instructor told me a passenger brief is essential, but the emergency brief is good practice for when undertaking the CPL skill test where it is required.
The Commander of an aircraft is responsible for the safety and well- being of his passengers and the law requires a pre-flight safety briefing in any UK registered aircraft. This applies to ALL aircraft, including gliders, balloons, microlights and helicopters, as well as ‘conventional’ aeroplanes.
(Article 53 of the Air Navigation Order (ANO) 2005)
but I dont appreciate any comments like I should not be flying.
Last edited by Pull what; 12th Jun 2010 at 11:12.
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Pull what, I don't think the emergency brief (after power checks) is part of the pre-flight safety brief for passengers. You have briefed your passengers already, before starting the engine and before walking out to the plane.
You don't get on an airliner and here the Captain tell you what speed he will rotate at, and what he will do if things go wrong. This is purely for the examiner. He needs to know that you know what you are doing, and flying the plane as you intend to (rotating at the airspeed you say will; climbing at the airspeed you say you will etc.)
You don't get on an airliner and here the Captain tell you what speed he will rotate at, and what he will do if things go wrong. This is purely for the examiner. He needs to know that you know what you are doing, and flying the plane as you intend to (rotating at the airspeed you say will; climbing at the airspeed you say you will etc.)
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Pull what, I don't think the emergency brief (after power checks) is part of the pre-flight safety brief for passengers. You have briefed your passengers already, before starting the engine and before walking out to the plane.
You don't get on an airliner and here the Captain tell you what speed he will rotate at, and what he will do if things go wrong. This is purely for the examiner. He needs to know that you know what you are doing, and flying the plane as you intend to (rotating at the airspeed you say will; climbing at the airspeed you say you will etc.)
You don't get on an airliner and here the Captain tell you what speed he will rotate at, and what he will do if things go wrong. This is purely for the examiner. He needs to know that you know what you are doing, and flying the plane as you intend to (rotating at the airspeed you say will; climbing at the airspeed you say you will etc.)
Last edited by Pull what; 12th Jun 2010 at 11:41.
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Thank you, as an airline captain with over 30 years experince of heavy jet aircraft I can assure you are I am familar with both the passenger and commanders or take off briefings.
Out of interest, if you were flying a light aircraft, would you tell passengers what checks you were doing and say them aloud or just do them silently? I may have my first passengers next week!
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Remind your PPL instructor it is not just essential, it is written in law
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Or did you assume because it was never specified in the post that the instructor knew it was a legal obligation therefore he/she was unaware of it or had forgotten it?
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Out of interest, if you were flying a light aircraft, would you tell passengers what checks you were doing and say them aloud or just do them silently? I may have my first passengers next week!
Before I get to your question I will tell you about two other pax I had on first light aircraft flights(theirs).
I took off with a guy who had his mother in the rear seat just after lift off she started screaming and I do meaning screaming- She was having some sort of fit and frightened to death, she continued screaming all the way around my short circuit until I touched down making it very difficult for me to fly the aircraft and talk to ATC.
Years later I was doing pleasure flying at a flying display and just after lift off a woman in the seat behind started screamimng in the same way. Of course the experienced Captain Pull What now knew exactly how to deal with the situation. I turned to her and said, " Dont worry, stay calm, I will make an immeadiate return to the airfield -she replied, (and I quote exactly) " Why, this is absolutely Fxxxing marvellous"!
No I would not personally shout out checks aloud to pax but if you feel happier doing this thats what you must do. You need to give the pax confidence, the use of a written check list helps with this, even if its only a token gesture.
If your passenger has never been in a light aircraft before be gentle but confident!
Oh and don't do what I did one day:
I was boarding the aircraft with the pax down the jetway after completing the walk around, a passenger said to me, "is it good flying conditions today captain i am a nervous flyer"? I replied, " its fantastic and dont worry I am feeling extremely lucky today"!
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hi so I took my last written exam with a pass and also finished my revision. So tomorrow is the big day. We did different landing configurations and emergency landings etc. This goes rather well. Just to be sure I will refresh the stalls now. So wish me all the best.
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So wish me all the best.
Make sure you get plenty of sleep and arrive at the airport in plenty of time. This will get you off on a good footing and you wont be scrambling about looking for stuff. Get your route as soon as possible (if you havn't already been given it) and study it well for different landmarks on the way. The diversion will come on the second leg so take a look at likely places as you will have an allowance on your ETA of +/- 3 minutes.
EDIT: Might be a bit late now but I brought the POH of the aircraft home two days in advance of skills test and apart from the weight & balance and helping you with the general questions posed by the examiner it is actually a darn good read - a real page turner!! (Sorry if that sounds a bit sad but you will learn some stuff about your own plane that you never knew before every time you it; it shows how wet we really are behind the ears)
Keep it simple and keep it safe and I am sure you'll ace it so best of luck!!
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I PASSED, however i did do mistakes as well and thus booked myself in next week for some revision to be sure I iron the mistake out.
Now I have to get the RT license test done. Any idea how this is done and what to expect?
Now I have to get the RT license test done. Any idea how this is done and what to expect?
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I took off with a guy who had his mother in the rear seat just after lift off she started screaming and I do meaning screaming- She was having some sort of fit and frightened to death, she continued screaming all the way around my short circuit until I touched down making it very difficult for me to fly the aircraft and talk to ATC.
Congratulations Screetch!
Now I have to get the RT license test done. Any idea how this is done and what to expect?
The test was around £50 and was basically sitting with a headset on with a make shift radio panel going through the r/t of a pre-determined flight while the examiner pretends to be ATC sitting in another room.
Mine was a AA5A flying from a radio only field, transitting a MATZ and then SVFR through a control zone, followed by a Mayday, and finally a Pan call.
I was actually more nervous doing the r/t then I was doing the flight test but that's probably just me!
They tell you straight away the result, and then (hopefully) fill out your license aplication form.