Simviation Forums

Hi,
I "fly" with the italian version of fs2002 and I'm in trouble with the "ATP Pilot test" (I successfully passed the private, instrumental and commercial pilot examinations).

1) when I reach 5000 the instructor tells me to pull down the gear, decrease speed to 140 and extend the flaps; then it says: "turn left to 310". When I reach 310 it says "turn right to 310"???.  Perhaps there are some problems in the translation, does he mean "Turn right to 090" or "make a whole circle"?

2) when I reach the Cleverton VOR (CCC), I turn left to 060 for 1 min., then turn right to 270 towards the VOR. But if I reach the VOR a little bit south of it (the VOR is half a mile at my right when I reach it) the lesson suddenly ends. Why?????

3) after one complete waiting circle, the control tower says that I must stay at 3000, but I'm at 8000????

After a successful landing I didn't pass the test, but I don't know where and why I made the mistakes (remember that I passed the commercial pilot test and completed the ATP lessons).

Can you help me?
What is the correct examination instructions in the original version?
Is there a way to know when I make a mistake during the flight?

Thank you in advance and excuse me for my bad English,
 Marzio

Most of the checkrides in FS2002 are full of bugs and DIFFICULT to pass.  (Any time this topic comes up, a list of people who say they've passed arrives...I didn't say impossible, I said very difficult.)

It's the general consensus around here to not even bother with them.

... uhm but my feeling is: "if I cannot be an official fs2002 ATP pilot, I cannot enjoy flying around the world with a 737/747 ... I can complete an IFR flight from Paris to Rome with a 737/747 ... but I don't enjoy it" ... a little bit silly, isn't it ?  :o

... so can anyone give me a full ENGLISH description of the correct steps to pass the ATP pilot test?

Thank you in advance,
 Marzio

First off, as Hyperion stated, the tests are NOT realistic. It sounds like you need to work on situational awareness though. Try the test again, but draw a map of what you are doing. Draw the Calverton(CCC) VOR, draw a line to the east side, to depict the hold direction, and draw a racetrack to represent the holding pattern. The approach plate for RWY6 ILS has a published hold at Calverton. It's non-standard(left hand turns), but if you draw a mirror image of that hold on the opposite side you will have, essentially, what you need
I'm not sure about the English to Italian translation, but on the standard US version, the sequence is: maintain 140knots, 090degree heading and 5,000 feet with the landing gear extended, flaps 40degrees. After this the examiner wants a turn to 315 degrees, and then a turn back to 090 degrees. After that, a climb to 8,000 feet on a heading of 090, while still maintaining 140 knots.
Tests in general, tend to be unrealistic. As a former flight instructor, I would have students troubled by lack of success on FAA tests. I would explain to them that, while I can fly an NDB approach in my sleep, it takes me an hour just to answer one FAA test question about one.
I would consider the LESSONS, as opposed to the test, on FS2002 more valuable. The ATP test is only as good as the person who programmed it. Just out of curiosity, I tried the ATP test. I'm a real life Jet Captain with over 5,000 hours. Guess what............she failed me on the hold  entry!  If the reason given to me for the failure had been given on a real checkride, the EXAMINER would be called for re-evaluation! As long as you successfully complete the LESSONS, don't worry about flying the IFR flights. And as the program states: "just keep trying the test!"

[quote] Just out of curiosity, I tried the ATP test. I'm a real life Jet Captain with over 5,000 hours. Guess what............she failed me on the hold

[quote].......... she failed me on the hold

You hold 'em and I'll hit 'em

Will