Failed my IR today.
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Failed my IR today.
Hello all,
This will be my first post on PPrune altough I have used it as a source of very useful information in the past. Any replies to my query will be gratefully received.
As the topic heading indicates, I failed my IR skill test today. Totally. It was a disaster from start to finish, mostly due to nerves. I am, needless to say, gutted.
Obviously I need to take a few days to think about it and then get back on the horse and try again. I can't give up now, not after getting this far.
It has been explained to me that I have two options. One is the 'sudden death' option. I pass everything next time and get a series one pass. This second is to ditch series one and go straight onto series two, if in this case I partial next time I can just do a partial retest and not, as with the first option, have to got onto series two anyway. The second option will probably be cheaper as anyway you cut it, I feel im unlikely to pass fully on the next test. (But there is always hope!)
My question relates to how all this is going to look on my c.v. At some indeterminable time in the future I hope to be able to get a job flying something. Im a bit older than most 'wannabies' (30) so straight to a job as an FO on 757's with Britannia or whoever was probably always out of the question. With that in mind should I go all out for a series one pass or will employers generally not really care one way or other and I should take the possibly cheaper and less stressfull route of going straight to series two.
Again, any opinions gratefully received.
Thanks
e
Any spelling mistakes are because im knackered!
This will be my first post on PPrune altough I have used it as a source of very useful information in the past. Any replies to my query will be gratefully received.
As the topic heading indicates, I failed my IR skill test today. Totally. It was a disaster from start to finish, mostly due to nerves. I am, needless to say, gutted.
Obviously I need to take a few days to think about it and then get back on the horse and try again. I can't give up now, not after getting this far.
It has been explained to me that I have two options. One is the 'sudden death' option. I pass everything next time and get a series one pass. This second is to ditch series one and go straight onto series two, if in this case I partial next time I can just do a partial retest and not, as with the first option, have to got onto series two anyway. The second option will probably be cheaper as anyway you cut it, I feel im unlikely to pass fully on the next test. (But there is always hope!)
My question relates to how all this is going to look on my c.v. At some indeterminable time in the future I hope to be able to get a job flying something. Im a bit older than most 'wannabies' (30) so straight to a job as an FO on 757's with Britannia or whoever was probably always out of the question. With that in mind should I go all out for a series one pass or will employers generally not really care one way or other and I should take the possibly cheaper and less stressfull route of going straight to series two.
Again, any opinions gratefully received.
Thanks
e
Any spelling mistakes are because im knackered!
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Mate,
Plenty of students fail/partial their IRs an go on to get good airline jobs, it's not the end of the world and if anyone tells you otherwise they must have other motives. i.e. make themselves feel better about their own position. I know you must be gutted totally but have a rest and a couple of beers and things wont seem so bad in a couple of days. You've come this far don't let anything/one get in the way of your career now. You've put in too much I'm sure.
B
Plenty of students fail/partial their IRs an go on to get good airline jobs, it's not the end of the world and if anyone tells you otherwise they must have other motives. i.e. make themselves feel better about their own position. I know you must be gutted totally but have a rest and a couple of beers and things wont seem so bad in a couple of days. You've come this far don't let anything/one get in the way of your career now. You've put in too much I'm sure.
B
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Forget about the fail and get back in theaircraft and fly a few practice sessions. Like you, I failed first time mostly down to nerves, had a totally different mindset the next time I took the IR(still series 1) and achieved a full pass. Didnt have anything to lose the second time and flew in a much more relaxed manner.
Try to get it over and done with as soon as you can and best of luck.
FF
Try to get it over and done with as soon as you can and best of luck.
FF
Why do it if it's not fun?
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I feel im unlikely to pass fully on the next test.
FFF
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...but I don't understand the reasoning behind instructors who put candidates forward for tests which they are not ready for.
Good luck for the next attempt
Last edited by High Wing Drifter; 25th Aug 2004 at 18:44.
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Join the Club! The majority of candidates fail/partial first time and the minority pass first time.
Be aware that if you ditch series 1, there is a mandatory re-training requirement - I believe it's 5 hours (some can be sim) AND a further 170A.
Be aware that if you ditch series 1, there is a mandatory re-training requirement - I believe it's 5 hours (some can be sim) AND a further 170A.
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I'm sorry to hear that. but without sounding heartless you have 2 choices now. Being gutted or forget being gutted and move on, spilt milk and all that.
I have a friend who recently failed his IR first attempt. Went on to complete the first series pass. He was gutted by the fail but several hours later decided it wouldnt do him any good. he said.
1. fully debrief yourself on what went wrong and what may you could have done different - every step (not today though, head is in the clouds)
2. Address those points if possible
3. Decided if series 2 is financially a better option that series 1 given any mandatory training required.
4. look forward not back, you will get it.
Best of luck
I have a friend who recently failed his IR first attempt. Went on to complete the first series pass. He was gutted by the fail but several hours later decided it wouldnt do him any good. he said.
1. fully debrief yourself on what went wrong and what may you could have done different - every step (not today though, head is in the clouds)
2. Address those points if possible
3. Decided if series 2 is financially a better option that series 1 given any mandatory training required.
4. look forward not back, you will get it.
Best of luck
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I would suggest that you make the decision on whether to go to series 2 after you have flown again. It is hard to make out from your post why you failed but I will make the asumption that it was not just a silly technical failure that has led to the lesson now being learned the hard way. If you will need remedial training before you fly the test again then do a quick profile and if all goes well then stick with series one; however if you still have errors that would lead to a failing different sections then perhaps you should bite the financial bulet and go for series two and give yourself a more stable run at the test.
Many student pilots end up in this boat and the answer is different for all of them. Perhaps you are down to your last penny, as many end up at this stage, and the thought of more money is weighing heavy on your mind. If so it will be hard to not get overly stressed during the test if you percieve it to not be going well and therefore maybe it would be a good idea for you to go away for a few weeks get some money behind you and go for series two with a less stressed run.
If you choose to take series one attempt two then think of this to keep you calm. The examiner cannot let the flight continue once you have made a mistake that is going to be the reason for the failure; so as long as your hands are on the controls and you are flying then you are on for a pass.
Many student pilots end up in this boat and the answer is different for all of them. Perhaps you are down to your last penny, as many end up at this stage, and the thought of more money is weighing heavy on your mind. If so it will be hard to not get overly stressed during the test if you percieve it to not be going well and therefore maybe it would be a good idea for you to go away for a few weeks get some money behind you and go for series two with a less stressed run.
If you choose to take series one attempt two then think of this to keep you calm. The examiner cannot let the flight continue once you have made a mistake that is going to be the reason for the failure; so as long as your hands are on the controls and you are flying then you are on for a pass.
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After speaking with you today boss, I reckon you got the rough end of the stick. Stick with it, like Buscuit says, have a few beers, as I know you will, relax and go for it! I know it is easy to say, but you know you are capable from previous flights, so go for it next week mate.
Think I may even treat you to a beer when you get the pass in the bag, so raz it down to Surrey
.
All the best.
Think I may even treat you to a beer when you get the pass in the bag, so raz it down to Surrey
.All the best.
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Hi mate
Indeed i am aware you are more than capable of getting it done, I have flown with you quite a while ago and your instrument flying and flying management was absolutely FANTASTIC.
At a point i still wander if i ever will get there.
I do not actually know what went wrong there but surely you can do it.
Here something to bear in mind:
Instument flight is a continuous process of
1. Establishing an attitude and a power setting on the control instrumens;
2. Trimming
3. Scanning, and
4. Adjusting.
this procedural steps can be applied to any instrument monouvre and should result in precise attitude instrument flying.
It should lead to get a constructive sequence of action, bringing you to relax and focus on what to do.
Just forget about it and get back on track. I do know you are good at it. The test itself is hard.
I do feel every inche of your stress and tiredness. I believe you can understand we all are with you as we know what we are going through.
Catch up later
PF
Indeed i am aware you are more than capable of getting it done, I have flown with you quite a while ago and your instrument flying and flying management was absolutely FANTASTIC.
At a point i still wander if i ever will get there.
I do not actually know what went wrong there but surely you can do it.
Here something to bear in mind:
Instument flight is a continuous process of
1. Establishing an attitude and a power setting on the control instrumens;
2. Trimming
3. Scanning, and
4. Adjusting.
this procedural steps can be applied to any instrument monouvre and should result in precise attitude instrument flying.
It should lead to get a constructive sequence of action, bringing you to relax and focus on what to do.
Just forget about it and get back on track. I do know you are good at it. The test itself is hard.
I do feel every inche of your stress and tiredness. I believe you can understand we all are with you as we know what we are going through.
Catch up later
PF
I feel im unlikely to pass fully on the next test.
It was a disaster from start to finish, mostly due to nerves.
I hope this helps!
Best of luck
0918
P.S. I flew some IR lessons today and it was pretty choppy up there! I'm sure that didn't help.
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Sorry to hear about your IR failure but as other people have pointed out it's not the end of the world. The first time pass rate for IR I believe to be only around 30% ( so my flight school told me ) All the people there who failed first time went for the series two. The reasoning behind this was if you partialed next time on sometihng silly you wouldn't then have the opportunity to clear this possibly minor miskate. This did happen to two guys whilst I was there and boy were they glad they went down the series two road.
But hey you pay your money and take your chance, good luck !!!
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First of all: bad luck but don't lose the will to try again. It happens to many of us. The learning curve is steep and you jump off the deep end. After all, you are trying to show the examiner that you can be in command of a passenger aircraft, even if it is small, deal with any reasonable emergencies while maintaining situational awareness, making the right decisions while talking to ATC, declaring your intentions etc. etc..
DO spend a few days off, relax and think about which parts of the flight you felt best about and which you know didn't cause you any problems and deal with the others. Next time you'll do fine.
The age thing and your first job: don't worry about it. Your first job won't be decided by your age but the availablity of jobs when you apply for them. If you don't find anything in the UK/Europe try the Caribbean or Africa, there are always more jobs for low-timers and many more companies with small a/c on which you can gain single pilot PIC time and have a lot of fun. I'm considerably older than you and I'm in the same position and not losing any sleep!
DO spend a few days off, relax and think about which parts of the flight you felt best about and which you know didn't cause you any problems and deal with the others. Next time you'll do fine.
The age thing and your first job: don't worry about it. Your first job won't be decided by your age but the availablity of jobs when you apply for them. If you don't find anything in the UK/Europe try the Caribbean or Africa, there are always more jobs for low-timers and many more companies with small a/c on which you can gain single pilot PIC time and have a lot of fun. I'm considerably older than you and I'm in the same position and not losing any sleep!
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wkend nearly gone, hope you got your chance to think and make you mind up.
I have thought and here is my conclusions:
1. you trained hard and decided to take the IR skill test
2. weather had not been clement for quite a while
3. you were building up a more and more nervousness
you knew you were ready to take it and you were going to get it done once and forever wiht a first time pass (or at least that what your mind was into). You have done it before therefore you can do it probably even better.
So I finally believe you should go for the second attempt of series 1 with the idea of getting it done. I do understand your confidence is not at its best but that is a consequence of the skill test result. This is what i believe today where i am still feeling the pressure building up.
It could also be interesting if you wrote here a detailed report of what happened. It may helps you to get a better idea and us to give a better opinion.
Catch up asap for a skinfull.
I have thought and here is my conclusions:
1. you trained hard and decided to take the IR skill test
2. weather had not been clement for quite a while
3. you were building up a more and more nervousness
you knew you were ready to take it and you were going to get it done once and forever wiht a first time pass (or at least that what your mind was into). You have done it before therefore you can do it probably even better.
So I finally believe you should go for the second attempt of series 1 with the idea of getting it done. I do understand your confidence is not at its best but that is a consequence of the skill test result. This is what i believe today where i am still feeling the pressure building up.
It could also be interesting if you wrote here a detailed report of what happened. It may helps you to get a better idea and us to give a better opinion.
Catch up asap for a skinfull.
