My Day of Doom....Tomorrow.....

[TraineePilot01]

The Skills Test is finally arriving tomorrow. I've passed all the exams, my RT license, and the pre-flight section of the skills test. Now just the flying bit to do.

I've only been waiting for 4 years....since I was 13.....it's gone too quickly and I am SOO scared!! Ah well, if I pass, I pass, if I fail, I fail, nothing you can do about it now. There is nothing more I want in the world at the moment apart from my PPL....I really hope it works out....will keep you posted...

[landedoutagain]

good luck! looks like nice wx anyway

[JetPac]

You must be positive. Your instructor thinks you will pass the Skills Test and he undoubtedly has hundreds of hours of experience. As a professional musician myself (performer and teacher) I am used to dealing with both perfomance pressure and with entering pupils for exams. I don't enter pupils unless I think they'll pass and I've never had a failure. As far as dealing with the test, if something goes wrong don't dwell on it. If I am playing in a concert and play a wrong note I cannot think about it as I will inevitably make more mistakes. Your mind has to be on the job in hand.
I heard an interesting bit of wisdom the other day (on Coronation Street of all programs!) - 'To fail to plan is to plan to fail'. You have done all your preparation - you can go into tomorrow with complete confidence that you will pass this test.
Good luck, and let us all know how you got on.

[le loup garou]

TraineePilot01, I too suffered a bad case of nerves before my initial I/R, and come to think of it my renewal also. This time tomorrow I'm sure you will be wondering why you felt like this.

As time goes by the flying tests do get easier to manage. There will still be some aprehension but this is required to step up to the plate and perform well.

Keep positive you'll do great!!!
Just remember to take a few breaths and get stuck in, be cool.

[piloteddy]

Good luck TP01!!

[Tight Slot]

Good luck, but here's a tip from a guy whos about to get a pay cut, maybe lose his job, and has to work with others that are about as happy as the Taliban - keep another job inmind. The airlines at the mo are *****!

But on a lighter note - may the force be with you, and I'll be less pissed off tomorrow!!

[Wee Ali]

Good luck wee pal.Yesterday was my day of doom.I'd been in a state of terror about the Skills Test for about a year..My fears were unfounded-it wasn't half as bad as I expected!Your examiner knows you're s**t scared.They know how badly you want this & they know how bloody difficult it can be.
It's going to be fine,I promise.This time tomorrow we'll both be as pissed as newts & very happy..Go for it!

[jack.macneice]

The best thing you can do is crap your self for a few hours before hand and then shut up jump in and just DO IT! Make sure you have your weight and balance, weather, PLOG, walk around etc done.

There is some allowences for failure. If you muck up your PFL and miss the field make sure you nail the gliding landing from the circuit. If you mess up just admit it. I did my PFL but messed up my gliding landing. When it was obvious I admitted it, my examiner did a quick go around, demonstrated it and then I did it. When I was about to lift the flaps for the touch and go he took control and told me I had passed.

Remember just dont get cocky, do have a polite conversation while your flying but fly the aeroplane first.

Good luck mate.

[TraineePilot01]

I took the Skills Test today and passed everything, but then when I came back to do the rejoin I cocked it up and he failed my Arrival section. So tomorrow I'm doing the arrival again and a couple of circuits, will post a new message if I pass!!!

Cheers for the advice and good luck from everyone, much appreciated....TP01

[Rusty Cessna]

Well done TP! Good luck for final section! I have been doing if since I was 13 too, got a lot oh hours and done some wicked things, but right now I just want my PPL! Just hope the weather sorts itself out!

Rusty.