Skills test: was frustrations, now PASSED.
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Skills test: was frustrations, now PASSED.
So I've been ready to take my skills test for a number of weeks now - all exams, qxc etc done a long time ago, instructor more than happy that I'm ready, but due to various delays it hasn't happened, and doesn't look like it's going to for a while. My club operates from a grass strip and with the amount of rain we've had recently, even when the sun is out the strip has been too water logged to fly off, with today being a perfect example. Add to that a shortage of instructors, a busy CFI, and lots of bookings, and even getting a slot to do any flying is proving hard enough.
My last two test slots were cancelled due to weather, and the CFI now isn't free for a couple of weeks. Should that slot be cancelled, no doubt it will be another couple of weeks to the next slot. I can't even get up in the air to do any revision at the moment, and it's getting really frustrating. I appreciate the various operational challenges the club has, but from a selfish point of view I just want to get this done now, I'm wasting time and money hanging around in limbo when realistically I should be making good use of my new license by now.
So what alternatives do I have? There's a couple of other clubs locally with hard runways, even one where my instructor works on the days he's not at my main club. Assuming CFI availability, is it feasible in any way to go and take my skills test at an alterative club. If so, what needs to happen to facilitate this? One of the problems will be the fact that I've learnt in a Robin, whilst all other clubs locally operate the standard Cessnas, however funding and my availability are not an issue. Any advice appreciated please!
My last two test slots were cancelled due to weather, and the CFI now isn't free for a couple of weeks. Should that slot be cancelled, no doubt it will be another couple of weeks to the next slot. I can't even get up in the air to do any revision at the moment, and it's getting really frustrating. I appreciate the various operational challenges the club has, but from a selfish point of view I just want to get this done now, I'm wasting time and money hanging around in limbo when realistically I should be making good use of my new license by now.
So what alternatives do I have? There's a couple of other clubs locally with hard runways, even one where my instructor works on the days he's not at my main club. Assuming CFI availability, is it feasible in any way to go and take my skills test at an alterative club. If so, what needs to happen to facilitate this? One of the problems will be the fact that I've learnt in a Robin, whilst all other clubs locally operate the standard Cessnas, however funding and my availability are not an issue. Any advice appreciated please!
Last edited by Ds3; 26th Jul 2012 at 07:50.
As you say you have completed all your training so all you need is an Examiner. There is no need to go to a club or any other organisation. If you find an Examiner and there are plenty, I am sure they will be able to source an aeroplane of your choice and conduct the test at mutually convenient date.
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I presume the examiner would need to verify that I'd completed all other aspects of my training first - would he need to see paperwork etc? Or would he just (hopefully) pass me on the skills test, than I'd take that back to my club to actually send off for the license?
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I would talk to the CFI, and see if he can get one of the Robins out of that field and into the field where he teaches on his "off" days. You can then do your skills test with your CFI from that other field.
Furthermore, let the CFI know that you would be available for a skills test anytime, with about two hours notice. So if he's got a cancelled lesson he can phone you up and you can do the skills test right there and then.
Furthermore, let the CFI know that you would be available for a skills test anytime, with about two hours notice. So if he's got a cancelled lesson he can phone you up and you can do the skills test right there and then.
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It's my instructor that works on the other field rather than the CFI, who wouldn't work on his days off.
Problem with cancellations is I need three slots for the skills test, so it's unlikely the required period will become available. Also, I could only work on such short notice periods at the weekend - I work Monday to Friday and whilst I can take a day off at short notice, I couldn't do it on the same day.
Problem with cancellations is I need three slots for the skills test, so it's unlikely the required period will become available. Also, I could only work on such short notice periods at the weekend - I work Monday to Friday and whilst I can take a day off at short notice, I couldn't do it on the same day.
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I recently passed my skills test and finally got my licence in my hand on Monday past so recognise the frustration you face. I also work part-time at my airfield (Headcorn in Kent). We have four Robins here and a grass strip that is still in operation despite all the rain. Another bonus we have is a corridor out of the R112 olympic zone, so no need to file a flightplan with Atlas. We have a very accommodating CFI so if I can be of assistance, send me a pm to discuss further.
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pboyall, one may consider the possibility that it's Sibson I'm training at 
lenhamlad, thanks for the offer - I'll explore my options locally first but if those don't work out then I'm not adverse to the option of travelling to get this sorted out!
I've make contact with another club today who are going to call me back tomorrow but believe they can get me tested pretty quickly. Differences training to a Cessna will be a pain, although I do know of another Robin that's part of a local group I'm considering joining once passed anyway, so may explore the option of using that for the test.
lenhamlad, thanks for the offer - I'll explore my options locally first but if those don't work out then I'm not adverse to the option of travelling to get this sorted out!
I've make contact with another club today who are going to call me back tomorrow but believe they can get me tested pretty quickly. Differences training to a Cessna will be a pain, although I do know of another Robin that's part of a local group I'm considering joining once passed anyway, so may explore the option of using that for the test.
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Well I've had a rather disappointing response from the alternative club I enquired at, basically stating that they'll allow me to do the test there, but they will not organise an examinor or plane as it would be illegal, and the examiner has to be organised by my current club.
I doubt my club would be interested in finding an examiner for me as it's not in their interest, and that combined with having to have differences training on a Cessna or such suggests that I really don't have many other options other than sit back and wait for the weeks / months until I can finally take my test at my current club.
This is really starting to affect my motivation now, I feel like I've wasted an inordinate amount of time and money in recent months for what has been very little progress through no fault of my own, and there's no current indication of when I might actually get somewhere...
I doubt my club would be interested in finding an examiner for me as it's not in their interest, and that combined with having to have differences training on a Cessna or such suggests that I really don't have many other options other than sit back and wait for the weeks / months until I can finally take my test at my current club.
This is really starting to affect my motivation now, I feel like I've wasted an inordinate amount of time and money in recent months for what has been very little progress through no fault of my own, and there's no current indication of when I might actually get somewhere...
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This is really starting to affect my motivation now, I feel like I've wasted an inordinate amount of time and money in recent months for what has been very little progress through no fault of my own, and there's no current indication of when I might actually get somewhere...
Last edited by lenhamlad; 16th Jul 2012 at 11:50.
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It's been over two months since my QXC, and all I needed to do in between was a bit of revision! But down to weather, lack of availability of planes, instructors, and the CFI, and a washed out runway, I'm still no closer!
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True enough, although I think more of a consolation is the weather has been so bad recently that had I passed I probably wouldn't have been able to fly much anyway!!
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Im in the same kind of predicament as you Ds3, im 40 hours up, changed schools after 35 hours from Rochester to Headcorn due to my instructor leaving and 'other reasons' that has left me slightly unimpressed with my previous school, so lost a good 4 hours getting acquainted with my new instructor and the airfield procedures etc- basically convincing the guy im as good as the training paperwork says i am!
Anyway, i have cancelled my QXC four times now over the past two months due to weather / aircraft availability, i finally got a slot last thurs so flew down to lydd for x-wind practise. It went well but given the 7 weeks away from being in an aircraft, my confidence was lacking and given the choice of doing my QXC that day i would have probably turned it down. Now im worried it will be another 7 weeks before i get a slot again and ill just be doing another trip to lydd for yet more practise! The Olympics airspace restrictions is likely to cock things up further now too as the school is still undecided on whether to allow students to fly solo QXC's so close to the boundaries encase something goes wrong.
I think if i was you, i would just pick a decent airfield where your guaranteed a CFI and aircraft type and a solid runway! so the only thing left is the weather.
Lenhamlad -how did you find the skills test after the 6 week gap? was you worried about being rusty? did you find the skills test easier or harder than you expected? and who was your CFI?
Anyway, i have cancelled my QXC four times now over the past two months due to weather / aircraft availability, i finally got a slot last thurs so flew down to lydd for x-wind practise. It went well but given the 7 weeks away from being in an aircraft, my confidence was lacking and given the choice of doing my QXC that day i would have probably turned it down. Now im worried it will be another 7 weeks before i get a slot again and ill just be doing another trip to lydd for yet more practise! The Olympics airspace restrictions is likely to cock things up further now too as the school is still undecided on whether to allow students to fly solo QXC's so close to the boundaries encase something goes wrong.
I think if i was you, i would just pick a decent airfield where your guaranteed a CFI and aircraft type and a solid runway! so the only thing left is the weather.
Lenhamlad -how did you find the skills test after the 6 week gap? was you worried about being rusty? did you find the skills test easier or harder than you expected? and who was your CFI?
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I doubt my club would be interested in finding an examiner for me as it's not in their interest
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RyanRs, sounds familiar and you have my sympathies. I had some pretty long gaps like yours, but rather than let myself get rusty I've flown when I can even if it's just a few circuits. Obviously this has cost me, both in terms of money and adding hours on to my totals, but I'd rather keep current and hey at least I'm getting some sort of flying in!!
As mentioned, my QXC was over 8 weeks ago but I've flown at every opportunity (sadly not that many) since then. I'm up to around 58 hours now, but much of those have been flying for flying's sake, and if the feedback I have received is anything to go by I would have happily passed in around 45 under the right circumstances...
As mentioned, my QXC was over 8 weeks ago but I've flown at every opportunity (sadly not that many) since then. I'm up to around 58 hours now, but much of those have been flying for flying's sake, and if the feedback I have received is anything to go by I would have happily passed in around 45 under the right circumstances...
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As mentioned, my QXC was over 8 weeks ago but I've flown at every opportunity (sadly not that many) since then. I'm up to around 58 hours now, but much of those have been flying for flying's sake, and if the feedback I have received is anything to go by I would have happily passed in around 45 under the right circumstances.
Lenhamlad -how did you find the skills test after the 6 week gap? was you worried about being rusty? did you find the skills test easier or harder than you expected? and who was your CFI?
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This is really starting to affect my motivation now, I feel like I've wasted an inordinate amount of time and money in recent months for what has been very little progress through no fault of my own, and there's no current indication of when I might actually get somewhere...
Even when you have passed, you will have frustrations, but its better to be in that position, than not be a pilot and get to experience all the wonderful aspects of it :-)
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Got the PM thanks Grob Queen, will reply.
Absolultely agree that no flying time is wasted time, hence why I have been flying whenever I can despite the lack of progress with regard to the PPL. I guess the frustration is just that I want to lose that schackles that come with being a student and actually start doing more constructive things that come with the freedom of being fully licensed!
My next slot is the middle of next week anyway, so I've given up trying to take it else where for now as swapping on to a different plane etc makes it too complicated. The forecast looks okish for next week so everyone please keep you fingers crossed for me! The real issue will arise if that slot is cancelled and it's then another two weeks before the next available one - that'll be breaking point I think!!
Absolultely agree that no flying time is wasted time, hence why I have been flying whenever I can despite the lack of progress with regard to the PPL. I guess the frustration is just that I want to lose that schackles that come with being a student and actually start doing more constructive things that come with the freedom of being fully licensed!
My next slot is the middle of next week anyway, so I've given up trying to take it else where for now as swapping on to a different plane etc makes it too complicated. The forecast looks okish for next week so everyone please keep you fingers crossed for me! The real issue will arise if that slot is cancelled and it's then another two weeks before the next available one - that'll be breaking point I think!!
Last edited by Ds3; 17th Jul 2012 at 11:25.