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Check Ride for a Private Certificate
| My check ride for a private certificate ended up being taken on two days due to some issues on my part. First of all it was delayed for nearly four weeks due to weather and scheduling with the individual who performs the tests. By the time the test was actually going to be taken, I was a nervous wreck. This was the culmination of six months of adventure, stress, learning, and fun. The oral test went well for the first hour and it included questions on the specific airplane I fly, FAA regulations, aerodynamics including the theory of stalls and spins, weather maps and briefings, as well as quite a few other items. I found myself unprepared for some quesitons regarding airspace (special use airspace in particular). This in combination with the fact that my logbook was not endorsed properly led me to be unable to perform the practical flight test on this day. This was painful. I actually had difficulty sleeping during the night following the test and I needed to schedule it once again.
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The New Private Pilot in a Cessna 172 |
Literally weeks later I was finally able to schedule the remainder of my check ride for a private certificate. The day was cold, approximately 25 degrees F with a partially cloudy sky, ceilings were plenty high and winds were light and variable. All the preparation and stress turned out to be in vain. The practical portion of the test went very well. My maneuvers were textbook, my instrument flight went very well thanks to the light winds, and even two simulated engine out landings went well. The examiner was easy-going, interesting, and easy to fly with. This made the whole check ride experience much more relaxed in the cockpit. He made a comment something like "ah, this is the life..." as we took off from a nearby airport and I had to agree. I went home with my log book and my freshly printed private pilot certificate feeling like a different person. This was truly worth the expense and the effort. What's next? I'm not sure at this point but I guess the sky is the limit.
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