Easing the SP Headache - SkyTrails Ranch, Inc.                                             Sport Pilot

                 Examiner's

                 Pet Peeves

 

Pet Peeves

To be human means to have subjective opinions.  However, when it comes to taking a Proficiency or a Practical Exam the world (i.e., the FAA) insist on objective testing.

So where does my human subjectivity come to play during an Exam.  Well, I am required to follow the guidelines as written in the PTS (Practical Test Standards).  But I am allowed to select additional areas or tasks as outlined in the PTS, in addition to any of the required tasks.

Therefore, here is my semi-official notice that I will always test on the following areas/tasks; and these areas/tasks have no Gray zones.  The situation is clearly Black or White, relative to a Pass or Fail scenario!  Hence, be advised!

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"Clear Prop!"  
If you can't remember to "Clear the Propeller Area" before starting your engine - what else could you be forgetting!

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Collision Avoidance (I.e., pre-scanning an area before maneuvering into a direction of airspace is an ABSOLUTE requirement) - so keep your head turning, your eyes scanning and be constantly aware for aircraft & obstacles!  And let the Examiner know that you are scanning, “tell them” – don’t let them guess about it!  Heck, as far as they know, you could just have a ‘crook’ in your neck.

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Rushing a Take-off.  
Relative to PPC's, there is never, NEVER a need for an Emergency Take-off.  Hence, you should ALWAYS have time to get a L.O.C. (Lines are free and clear of debris; all the cells are Open and the canopy is Centered) during your preflight take-off roll - before the wheels ever leave the ground, OR if you down have a L.O.C., then shut-it down (i.e., abort the take-off). [Note: That includes a L.O.C. on Touch & Goes too!  Hence a PPC never does a T&G, it always does a TTG – a Touch, TAXI (checking for a L.O.C.) and Go!

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Density Altitude - The 4H “kids” Club is good club, but the 3 H's are bad – very bad when relative to flying conditions (Heat, Height & Humidity).  Please thoroughly understand these 3 factors that induce a high Density Altitude.  And know how these factors have a negative performance affect on your PPC.  Also be informed as to the huge effect the weight of a passenger can have relative to your PPC’s aerodynamic performance.

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Weather – Know the weather conditions that can have relevance to potential turbulence conditions for our relatively fragile PPC.

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Canopy UN-twisting – You have got to be able to explain how you know that the canopy is layout correctly or if it is twisted!  And please know – without hesitation; please know how to correct the canopy, if it is twisted.

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Emergency Procedures

 

And for my Instructor applicants

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Endorsements -know what logbook endorsements are required

 

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Last modified: Friday May 30, 2008.