BY PILOTS, FOR PILOTS
At‑a‑Glance
Overview
Very thorough examiner who takes his time and wants to see you really understand concepts, not just memorize. Heavy focus on cross‑country planning and weather interpretation. Oral went long because he digs deep into scenarios. Flight was standard but he emphasized precision and good communication throughout. Expects you to think like a pilot, not just a student.
Oral — Topics & Prompts
- Cross‑Country Planning: Plan entire route from KORD to KMSN; discuss fuel planning, weather minimums, alternate selection; he changed weather scenarios multiple times.
- Airspace around Chicago: Detailed discussion of Bravo airspace; entry requirements; what happens if you bust it; coordination between approach facilities.
- Weather Interpretation: Given current METAR/TAF; asked about convective SIGMETs, PIREPs, and when you'd cancel the flight; freezing level and icing considerations.
- Federal Aviation Regulations: Part 61 currency requirements; differences between currency and proficiency; medical certificate privileges and limitations.
- Aircraft Systems: Engine operation, fuel system, electrical system; what happens when alternator fails; emergency procedures and memory items.
- Performance and Weight & Balance: Calculate takeoff distance with current conditions; center of gravity effects on stability; what makes an aircraft unairworthy.
- Navigation: VOR operation and checks; lost procedures; how to use pilotage and dead reckoning without GPS; magnetic compass errors.
- Airport Operations: Right‑of‑way rules; light gun signals; what to do if radio fails in Class D airspace; wake turbulence avoidance.
- Emergency Procedures: Engine failure scenarios; best glide speed; forced landing procedures; when to declare emergency vs requesting assistance.
- Human Factors: IMSAFE checklist; how alcohol affects pilots; hypoxia symptoms; spatial disorientation; decision‑making models.
- Regulations: Required documents for aircraft and pilot; inspection requirements; who can perform what maintenance; special flight permits.
- Scenario‑Based Questions: "You're flying to a fly‑in and notice oil pressure dropping" — walk through decision making; "Weather deteriorates en route" — what are your options.
Flight — Sequence & Standards
- Preflight and Engine Start: Thorough preflight inspection; explain what you're looking for; proper engine start and taxi procedures.
- Departure Procedures: Soft field takeoff from KORD; proper technique and configuration; coordination with ATC and traffic awareness.
- Pilotage Navigation: Navigate to first checkpoint using pilotage and dead reckoning; no GPS allowed; discuss timing and checkpoints.
- Steep Turns: 45° bank left and right; maintain altitude ±100 ft, airspeed ±10 kts, rollout on heading ±10°; watch for traffic.
- Slow Flight: Configure for landing; maintain specific airspeed and altitude; demonstrate control effectiveness; clean configuration recovery.
- Power‑Off Stalls: Approach to landing configuration; recover promptly at first indication; minimize altitude loss; maintain coordination.
- Power‑On Stalls: Takeoff configuration with 20° bank; recognize buffet and break; proper recovery technique; clearing turns before each maneuver.
- Ground Reference Maneuvers: Turns around a point; demonstrate wind drift correction; maintain constant radius and altitude; rectangular course.
- Hood Work: Constant airspeed climbs and descents; standard rate turns; recovery from unusual attitudes; instrument cross‑check scan.
- Simulated Emergency: Engine failure at 3,000 ft; best glide, troubleshoot, communicate; select landing area and brief approach.
- Pattern Work: Normal landing, soft field landing and takeoff, short field landing and takeoff; demonstrate proper techniques for each.
- Go‑Around: Initiated go‑around on short final; proper power, pitch, configuration sequence; communicate with tower.
Surprises / Curveballs
- Changed weather during planning: Gave me new METARs mid‑discussion and asked how it affected my go/no‑go decision.
- Radio failure simulation: "Your radio just died in Class D airspace" — what do you do? Expected light gun signals and proper procedures.
- Runway change during approach: Tower changed runways on downwind; had to reconfigure approach and brief new landing.
- Diversion scenario: Weather moved in at destination; choose alternate airport and navigate there using pilotage only.
- Electrical failure: Simulated alternator failure; discuss load shedding, battery life, and when to land immediately.
- Traffic conflict: Called out traffic that required immediate evasive action; wanted to see scan and collision avoidance.
Tips for the Next Pilot
- Know your cross‑country planning inside and out — he will change scenarios and test your adaptability.
- Be able to explain the "why" behind everything, not just procedures but the reasoning.
- Chicago airspace is complex — study the TAC chart and know all the shelves and requirements.
- Practice pilotage without GPS — he will cover the panel and make you navigate old‑school.
- Speak up during the flight — communicate your actions and decision‑making process.
- Weather interpretation is huge for him — understand trends, not just current conditions.
- Have good stories/examples for human factors questions — he likes real‑world applications.
- Don't rush answers — he'd rather you think it through than guess quickly.