Brian Z

**Rant warning** What a horrible day flying yesterday. I went for my PPL check and it looked like I have never even been in a plane before. I flew more stable approachs on my first lesson. I do not know what happened to my ability. The only good thing I felt I did flying was hold a heading. The DE wanted me to pass as he gave me plenty of chances to get it right. I just could not fly the damn plane. Nothing seemed right. When he spoke I could not comprehend what he was trying to say or really wanted. The most frustrating part is I smoked the oral. The DE stated it was one of the top 3 he has seen in his 12 years of being a DE. This was stated before we flew so I feel it was not lip service. He only knocked me for the short field landing so at least the recheck will be short. In my opinion I should do the entire flight portion over again. **Rant off**

Cubdriver

Try and learn from the experience. He would have dinged you for more than just a busted shortfield if he didn't think you were basically ok. He wants to make sure you are as solid as he thinks, as a precaution since you did seem a bit too nervous. Next time you will be less nervous. Practice some pattern work with your instructor, and then go get the ticket that you have earned. After that you can fly somewhere for fun.

Bri85

Hey dont worry about it. It happens to all of us. When I did my private, i had no problem for the oral, but once i got on the plane I froze, I was so nervousness, I was drenched in sweat.I messed up my soft field landing because I was rushing and couldnt wait to get over with the flight. To this day I still get nervous on checkrides but nothng like the first one; I just drink some hot tea, go over all the procedures and flight in my head and hope for the best! good luck!!

iflyprops

Just look at it as a learning experience. I busted my private ride on steep turns of all things, just couldn't get them right. Needless to say I can do them very well now . To be honest, I'm glad I busted it, I learned alot and to be honest, it humbled me, which I needed.

NE_Pilot

Like everyone so far has basically said, don't get too down about it. Learn from what you did wrong, go up with the instructor a little and take it again. Sounds like you were doing better than you thought you were since he only failed you for the Short Field Landing.

From what I gather it seems like nerves got the best of you. What I do to help overcome nervousness during a checkride is to: 1) Take my time through each maneuver, this will help slow things done for you, ensures you set it up correctly, and help you prepare for the maneuver, there is nothing that says you have to rush through the ride, 2) I talk myself through the maneuver outloud, once before I do the maneuver (as I am setting up), and again while I am doing. Talking about what you are doing will help to demonstrate your knowledge of the maneuver, and will also help to release some of that nervousness through expending energy. If you are not doing maneuvers, explaining what you are doing and why, and what you will be doing also helps. It helps me to stay focused and ignore the nervousness.

After you pass on the recheck, take out the plane sometime afterwards and go have fun.

de727ups

Don't worry about it. You were probably really nervous. The DE is only making you do ONE more thing, which ain't bad. Just get er done and put it behind you. And try to relax....hehe......

Brian Z

Thanks all. I am more dissapointed in myself since I know I am better then that. Anyway I went up with my instructor today in with tricky winds 16G23 30-40* off of the runway. They were not great with the winds as they were and doing short/soft landings, but better then yesterday so I was much happier.

pvuproduct

Oh man, I know how you feel! Actually, I'm impressed with you because you only missed one thing. I busted my commercial ride on the lazy eights (which I, like you, knew how to do!), but then I got so rattled that I couldn't finish the ride, so when I went back up, I had to do lazy eights, short field/soft field landings, power-off 180s, steep turns, and steep spirals...

iflyprops

lazy eights suck... lol

I personally know a few DE's and they all hate the darn things.

crewdawg

Power-Off 180......worst maneuver ever. I think that was one of the number 1 bust items for CFI's with our local examiner. I messed mine up and should have hooked but he gave me another chance, I guess he liked all my other landing up to that point.