tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post5687083164390884322..comments2024-03-13T09:47:40.487+00:00Comments on Cockpit Conversation: Wreck Vacation, Not AirplaneAviatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-34536834185211145462010-10-04T10:00:39.478+00:002010-10-04T10:00:39.478+00:00Long one, but I love reading flight test posts. :D...Long one, but I love reading flight test posts. :D Congrats as well! Oddly enough, my initial was last week on the 28th, and my routing was the reverse of yours: YYJ - YXX - YYJ with the hold at HUH.metalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15261182174098382552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-48930311270824838952010-09-29T19:20:20.043+00:002010-09-29T19:20:20.043+00:00Anonymous, I think you mean "Just to be pedan...Anonymous, I think you mean "Just to be pedantic." That's okay, pedantry is welcome here, just don't lie about it.Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-57300004733723843442010-09-29T18:38:47.144+00:002010-09-29T18:38:47.144+00:00Not to be pedantic but YVR actually has four runwa...Not to be pedantic but YVR actually has four runways if you include 26A...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-3946231380820876122010-09-28T21:22:50.864+00:002010-09-28T21:22:50.864+00:00Suction gauge was indicating fine. I think the AI ...Suction gauge was indicating fine. I think the AI just chose that moment to die. I had a vacuum pump fail on me, in a single, right after coming out of a turn in IMC once. <br /><br />Airplanes specialize in pointing out that they <i>could</i> have killed me if they wanted to.Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-20487704688785605372010-09-28T20:19:24.928+00:002010-09-28T20:19:24.928+00:00The test standard book says your GPS must have a c...The test standard book says your GPS must have a current database. I'm not sure if the examiner has leeway to consider it inop. or if you'd have to come back another day.<br /><br />About the AI failing after the single engine landing... Doesn't the "little training plane" you flew have dual vacuum pumps, being a twin? Or was the vacuum fine, if low now being at idle, and the AI just busted? If so, yes, that would add some spice to a flight test!<br /><br />I've had one vacuum pump fail in my brief power flying experience. On a nice bright sunshiny way, thank goodness. I should practice some partial panel...Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09991660841701835065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-48010605806247192452010-09-28T19:25:06.309+00:002010-09-28T19:25:06.309+00:00I know someone who had his mechanic physically rem...I know someone who had his mechanic physically remove his ADF before each renewal. For the GPS, if it has an expired card in it, do they still require you to use it? People think using a GPS on a flight test is great. It is a great situational awareness tool, when you don't have a flight test, but there are always moments when you have to say "screw it" and use conventional nav aids. Choose GPS and a sharp examiner could ask you to do something which your GPS that your GPS is capable of, but that you can't figure out how to do before blowing your altitude, heading or clearance limit. Choose ADF and there's only one thing that baby can do. It points to the station. That's it.Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-44828025351022237202010-09-28T18:50:03.135+00:002010-09-28T18:50:03.135+00:00Hm. The US "PTS" was revised in January...Hm. The US "PTS" was revised in January. Now, if there is a certified GPS in the plane, you *must* demonstrate an approach using it. It is also permitted to use a GPS/LPV approach as the "precision" approach, as long as the DH is 300' or less.<br /><br />Oh, and this tidbit, interesting for someone who gets along with NDB approaches with difficulty:<br /><br /><i>NOTE: If any avionics/navigation unit, including GPS, in the aircraft<br />used for the practical test is placarded inoperative, the examiner will<br />review the maintenance log to verify that the discrepancy has been<br />properly documented.</i><br /><br />Not that I'd do <i>that.</i> :)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09991660841701835065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-89731130219707648252010-09-28T18:34:05.159+00:002010-09-28T18:34:05.159+00:00Sarah:
In Canada the initial IFR flight test req...Sarah: <br /><br />In Canada the initial IFR flight test requires a precision approach, but subsequent 2-year renewal flight tests do not (some airports in Canada are very far from the nearest ILS). There is no requirement for a circling approach, as far as I've found:<br /><br />http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp9939-ex8-961.htm<br /><br />As far as enroute goes, Canada requires 6 hours real or simulated IMC in addition to 6 approaches in the last 6 months for recency. We have no requirement for holds, though (except during the flight test itself).davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15194758376900990105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-60808423070244150612010-09-28T17:27:04.575+00:002010-09-28T17:27:04.575+00:00David: You didn't have to do a circling appro...David: You didn't have to do a circling approach on your initial instrument ride? You do in the US, or maybe it's just a convention... not sure it's spelled out in the test standards.<br /><br />What an interesting, long post!<br /><br />The whole thing sounds like way more than what I had to do for my initial license. I'd be interested to hear what US part 135 proficiency checks are like - are they described in per-operator agreements?<br /><br />For instance, an enroute phase? How enlightened. The US concentrates on approaches, for currency and exam requirements. There is a whole lot more to using the system enroute.<br /><br />Not that I'm <b>not</b> challenged by busy approaches, and by rarely practiced holds. Good for you for not using the GPS. We're told we must be prepared to use, and should use, anything on the panel. But the GPS makes situational awareness so much easier. It did lead to a stern talking to on my checkride, when I foolishly flew the depicted magenta racetrack rather than the proper timed hold, <i>with wind correction bearings</i> outbound and so on.<br /><br />As to the Saratoga gear-up on the highway... I wondered that too. I suspect he just forgot in all the excitement. He still had electrical power, so the lever should have worked. If not, I believe Saratogas are similar to the Arrows - for emergency gear extension, just pull a lever to release the hydraulic pressure and they fall down faster than a normal extension.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09991660841701835065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-50602733464024483302010-09-28T14:30:51.217+00:002010-09-28T14:30:51.217+00:00Although I know that your posts are somewhat delay...Although I know that your posts are somewhat delayed in reference to the present, and that I always feel I need to use what Doug Adams referred to as the Future Semiconditionally Modified Subinverted Plagal Past Subjunctive Intentional tense when writing a comment, congratulations on passing and I hope you're enjoying the rest of your well earned vacation.John Lennertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05924844964753141338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-58283384675528105292010-09-28T02:10:20.399+00:002010-09-28T02:10:20.399+00:00You have to do a circling approach on first exam? ...You have to do a circling approach on first exam? I thought it was an ILS. I've never been given a circling approach on any of my IFR flight tests, including the initial one. <br /><br />I did a circling approach this summer right at minima (vis and ceiling) in actual IMC, though, and did not enjoy the experience at all.davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15194758376900990105noreply@blogger.com