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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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