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1. 06:13 AM - Re: When in doubt, don't give up! (Brian Whittingham)
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| Subject: | When in doubt, don't give up! |
Jim,
Great story! I never failed a checkride, but in my part 141 training I did
fail a stage check for my multi-commercial instrument ride. I could fly a localizer
backcourse out over the ocean down to minimums flawlessly, but failed the
Vmc demo. We always practiced with one engine idle and slowed the plane until
full rudder was deflected and the nose started to go to one side. He wanted
me to not get to that point on the checkride which I understand that you want
to avoid that if it was a real situation. Unfortunately he didn't voice that
until after. Oh, and I was on what they called a fixed price program so that
if I ever failed two consecutive stage checks or a single checkride I would
have to pay the actual cost instead of the base price that I payed for. That
was a lot of pressure! We're talking about a difference of probably $15k! The
multi-engine was rented at around $430/hour when I was going through but my
locked in rate had it more like $180 if you divided it out. Anyhow, when the
checkride came around I had the option to request not to have a particular instructor.
This guy had passed me on a couple of stage checks previously but we
just didn't mesh and he was very difficult. I chose not to say that I didn't
want him, knowing that the luck of the draw would probably be somebody else
that I got. Well, I was wrong, I got him. I saw that on the schedule and my
heart sank. Then I told myself that I had gotten a lot of experience and training
since then and could fly that as good as anything I ever had and that I needed
to have this guy for my checkride to prove to myself that I could handle
emergencies in a more complex aircraft. I passed, said my little prayer of thanks,
and got out of there with a few tips from him.
I also had an instructor for my instrument course that I was convinced was a sadist
or just completely hated me. I would be nailing everything on a flight and
he would be scooting the seat back and forth to change my CG and the feel of
the plane or would be quizing me on ground class questions while flying an approach.
He just rode me until I would just be exhausted every flight. We flew
until midnight or one in the morning many nights and had college classes at
7am the next morning. I learned to sleep with my eyes open that semester! At
the same time we had a chief IP come in and told us that we were lower than
dirt and too many people were failing and that we couldn't make it and looked
like a sorry bunch of pilots and we'd never have a future. So I was about ready
to give all of that up, which is unfortunate. I tried to be a good Christian
boy though and said to myself that it'll always be ok if you treat somebody
else with kindness and respect, even if they aren't doing that to you. My instructor
still rode me, but my mind was clearer and I could concentrate. I had
a million plans of action running through my head at one time and by the time
that he thought he'd gotten me by asking me some difficult question I was like,
oh, I got that one right here for ya. During that checkride I did a runup
and found the battery was discharging. We had a failed alternator. The check
pilot said that it was up to me, but being night and having some actual out
I of course said, nope, so we got plane number 2 checked out and ready to go.
My checkride lasted until 2:30 that morning and it was about 32 degrees in Florida
with quiet a wind chill! Anyhow I called my instructor the next day after
I passed and he was so friendly and said he never had any doubts. I realized
then that even though I would've approached it different I had felt the most
confident of any checkride to date and that things really did work out for the
best and I learned to be a little more humble in the process. Never quit learning
in!
flying
and you'll one day make a great pilot!
I also love seeing people like Linda who are passing along to a new generation
of pilots the importance of stick and rudder skills and safety, but also sharing
a love and passion of flying with them! Brian W.
________________________________
From: pequeajim@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Lightning-List: When in doubt, don't give up!
Thanks Buz, I always appreciate the encouragement from everyone on the list which
is why I wanted to share that thought with the group.
Jim!
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of N1BZRich@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 9:13 PM
Subject: Re: Lightning-List: When in doubt, don't give up!
Jim,
Great words and a great way to support your bride and show your love. I see
too many couples that really don't support each other in their work or "play"
activities. A big loss for them. I lost my bride to breast cancer when she
was 42 and she was the kind that was always lending a hand, not only in my flying
career, but also by helping with my airplane building activities - even though
that Pitts was single seat, she was in the garage helping to get it completed.
Also appreciated your "first check ride" story and of course Linda's thoughts
on it. She would know - she is one of the best designated FAA check pilots
in Virginia.
Lastly, the entire Lightning community is anxiously awaiting the first flight
of you airplane. Be sure to give us all the details and a future full write
up about your phase one experiences for the newsletter. One of the most enjoyable
things is to open my email list and read that another Lightning has taken
to the air. Two this past week - fantastic - congratulations to Bill Brown
and Wayne Lenox. And lets not forget the first flight on Clive's Esqual in the
UK. The tie in between the Esqual and Lightning airplanes goes through SYI.
Blue Skies,
Buz
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