Wikiposts
Search
Private Flying LAA/BMAA/BGA/BPA The sheer pleasure of flight.

Oral!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 26th Jun 2002, 12:01
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: London
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oral!!!

Skills test is looming in the next couple of weeks. Anyone got any egs of questions they were asked in the oral exam?

cheers!
Kirstey is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2002, 12:30
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Horsham UK
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Usually its stuff about the type you trained on what's the best glide, fuel capacity that type of thing or How would brief your pax on the way to exit the a/c in hurry. Pretty basic stuff.
Ace Rimmer is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2002, 12:39
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Always Travelling, Never Arriving
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Technical volume of the Trevor Thom book (4?) used to have an Aircraft (Type) section in the back where there were a series of questions. Basically, if you could answer all of these with not much trouble you wouldn't find the Oral too tricky.

(I say used because I have an old edition of the book and dunno about the new one).

Good luck anyways

sB
sickBocks is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2002, 14:26
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: South of England
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mine was was split into two halves. The first was in the 'classroom' where I was tested on my knowledge of the information in the aircraft manual - eg. engine bhp, type of oil to use, type of fuel & colour code, MTOW, BEW, type of brake & steering system, etc. We then went out to the a/c and the FE asked me to explain the principles of flight, and the function of certain parts of the a/c, eg/ pitot tube & heater, ailierons, static vent, stall warner etc with explanations of the principles behind them, along with type of flaps, types of aerials fitted and what each was for (VOR/radio etc). The whole thing lasted about 45minutes. Beware for trick questions! Overall it was pretty easy-going and laid back, but it depends on the examiner I s'pose.
Hope this helps.
Miss Bigglesworth is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2002, 18:18
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The purpose of the oral is to see what the candidate knows about the aeroplane they are flying, especially any safty related items. If they don't know them then it is an opportunity to make them aware, so that the actually learn something useful.

A high percentage of the pilots I test cannot tell me what they are looking for in a post flight mag check and why!
Noggin is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2002, 08:51
  #6 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: London
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the replies everyone. Anyone have any other words of wisdom for the test itself? All seems straightforward, just a bit intense!!
Kirstey is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2002, 09:47
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Denham, EGLD
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Noggin,

OK, I'll bite. What should I look for in a post-flight mag check? And why?

And should I turn in my PPL for not knowing?

-C
Negative Charlie is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2002, 10:53
  #8 (permalink)  
Final 3 Greens
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Kirstey

Knowing where the battery is located is a useful piece of info to have if asked.
 
Old 27th Jun 2002, 10:56
  #9 (permalink)  
Final 3 Greens
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Negative Charlie

The purpose of a post flight mag check is to make sure that you don't have have a "live mag" when it should be off.

So if you check the left and right mags in turn against both and detect a reasonable RPM drop, then it appears that all is as it should be.

However, it is wise airmanship to treat all mags as potnetially live and all props as potnetial killers.
 
Old 27th Jun 2002, 11:32
  #10 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: London
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
F3G

For revisions sake I believe it's under the rear right seat in a PA28. However, among many other questions it seems pointless. I mean if the sod goes flat, what on earth am i gonna do!!???

thanks again for the help!
Kirstey is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2002, 11:56
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Near EGLD
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Depends on the particular PA28 - the Warrior III has it in the engine compartment. As to what to do when it goes flat - that's probably another question the examiner might ask!!
skygazer is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2002, 11:56
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Horsham UK
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Actually in the -181 its behind the aft bulkhead (accessed via an inspection hatch) but as you say if it dies in flight that's not much use!
Talking about the test itself. What the examiner is after is a demonstration that you are a safe and competant pilot - you don't have to be "ace of the base". If you are at the stage of doing the test then there's nothing in it you don't know how to do. Have a word with your instructor to see if there's anything he/she thinks you should brush up on.

Doubtless you'll get lot of good advice on Pprune but here's something I haven't seen when this has come up before - If your Skills test is in the morning have a decent breakfast or lunch if its in the afternoon - you'll need your blood sugar level good and high!
Ace Rimmer is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2002, 12:33
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Denham, EGLD
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
F3G,

Thanks for the explanation - funny how none of my primary instructors ever mentioned that!

BTW, I do know where the battery is in a PA28-161. It's in the front. Or in the back. I've flown one of each in the last month, and it makes a huge difference to which wheel touches down first...

-C
Negative Charlie is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2002, 13:56
  #14 (permalink)  
Final 3 Greens
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Kirstey

Negative Charlie has lucidly explained why the location of the battery is important operationally - the effect on weight and balance when landing (or more precisely holding off.)

Piper has a habit of putting sodding great big batteries in the engine bays of "winterized" aircraft which comes as an even bigger surprise to the uninitiated during the flare, as the back pressure is different for those used to the weight and balance of aircraft with a luggage compartment battery fit.

However, I mentioned this question as I know a couple of FEs who regularly ask it.

Best of luck.

Last edited by Final 3 Greens; 27th Jun 2002 at 14:08.
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.