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The next four flights, over about four weeks, consist of more review- mostly navigation, with more trips to unfamiliar airports, but some air work and of course with extra attention paid to polishing my landings.
When at last it's time to finish the practical test, I feel more confident, but still a little intimidated...

[color=#000000]Flight 81

06/17/97

c-172

TEB-4N1-TEB

1.4 dual (PIC)
[CHECK RIDE- PART 2]
4 landings

"Pvt Pilot Flt test; passed"

Was supposed to take the PP re-test on Sunday, but my lesson was re-scheduled by another instructor without my permission...and without anyone telling me before I showed up for the flight... then J. couldn't make it for the new slot... I've just about had it with this outfit!!

Finally the stars align on a Tuesday- near-marginal weather, but with calm winds.

As we're climbing out, J.'s pager goes off. He checks the incoming number, and asks me to tell tower he'd like to relay a message to somebody. I'd expected "reasonable distractions" on this flight, but this seems an unreasonable request, after I think about it.

"Sorry, but this is my check ride and I'm not doing that." I tell him. He takes it well enough, although he comandeers the radio to take care of this errand himself. But Tower is too busy to deal with it, much to my satisfaction.

The lack of wind makes it easy to fly to N07 then track a radial to the SAX VOR... although I deviate a little, the VOR turns up right where it should be, confirmed visually as the CDI indicates passage.

I am expecting a diversion now to Sussex, but J. tells me instead to go to 4N1. Suddenly I am nervous again. I've never flown there from where we are at the moment, so I am a little shaky with my course enroute, before making a very good approach, after arriving in the pattern just a tad high.

I set up to demonstrate a good soft-field landing... and end up bouncing. Crap.

I had a "2-part" checkride also  :-[

Mine was interesting.. When I showed up for the oral, it turns out that the FAA had decided it was also time for this Designated Examiner to be examined. Upside was that I didn't have to pay the examiner.. downside is obvious. The whole thing (oral and practical) was an ordeal burdened by a an ornery government worker (in every, stereo-typical way) who was determined to fail us BOTH..  He didn't even want to BE there, and made no effort to hide that fact.

Aside from details, what finished me off, was a horribly bounced, short-field landing..  I was all  of 220.. so was the examiner, and SO was the "civil servant". With near full tanks, we were well over gross on takeoff. Something I pointed out (and hoped would be a good reason to cancel this cluster-foxtrot) and was given an exemption for. Looking back now.. I should have outright refused to climb into the plane. I learned later, that when the feds show up, you aint passing .. they'll find SOME reason for at least a continuance. ANYway.. at that point, my flying was not instinctive enough to execute a precision landing, in an over-loaded C172. It was like taking a checkride, in a type I'd never flown..  >:(

The DE also "failed"...  Which worked out well. By the time he jumped through his hoops, I was ready to finish this off. Part-2 was a formality. The DE and I were like pals by common enemy...

I remember that feeling.. looking at the temp cert.  ;) It was better than recieving the "credit card" in the mail.

I've kept in touch with that DE.. He operates his own school now.. complete with a Lake Renegade and  sea-plane traing !