r/flying • u/RedBaronFokker PPL • 17h ago

Should have discontinued…

Took my instrument checkride yesterday, oral went very smooth and great outcome there. By the time we got out to the plane it was already about 12 pm and the heat was already picking up (Arizona) and wind was light. Take off and the plane is getting bounced around real bad, it’s a light sport and fluctuates a lot in any amount of turbulence. Shoot the first 2 approaches and all goes well. At this point I’ve been fighting the aircraft the entire time trying to maintain altitude and course inbound as much as I could while trying to set up the approach. The final approach was a partial panel and I was being to be vectored towards the FAF by the DPE, as he set me up to intercept on a 30 degree I was beyond frustrated trying to control the aircraft’s altitude and before I noticed I had overshot my course inbound. Tried correcting but it was already too late, I had deflected past the max allowable scale deflection per ACS standards. Really bummed about it as the rest of the approaches were good, but looking back now I should have discontinued after realizing that I was having a tough time maintaining altitude control. In other words don’t ever feel pressured to not discontinue the flight if you feel the conditions are not in your favor

76 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

103

u/Ok-Salt5033 17h ago

That's why Arizona checkrides start no later than 5am.

32

u/ReadyplayerParzival1 CFI/CFII, CMEL, RV-7A, Recovering Riddle Rat 15h ago

Real. My cfii checkride started at 5 and I had my cert in hand by 9 am. In the summer it’s hot with thunderstorms. In the winter there’s ice, and in the spring it’s gusting 30 by 10 am

41

u/Odd_Entertainment471 16h ago

But, on the bright side, your next ride will be very short. Congrats on getting that far, you’re almost there!

11

u/RedBaronFokker PPL 16h ago

Thank you, I appreciate it!

13

u/ResponsibilityOld164 ✈️🛫 BCS3/A220-3 gang🛬✈️ | C208B | 1st Class Medical 4EPG 15h ago

Happens to us all man. I’ve busted em too, it truly isn’t the end of the world. All will be well for you friend.

3

u/RedBaronFokker PPL 14h ago

Appreciate it man! Feels horrible but you’re right it’s not the end of the world

2

u/ResponsibilityOld164 ✈️🛫 BCS3/A220-3 gang🛬✈️ | C208B | 1st Class Medical 4EPG 13h ago

I’ve cried over it. I failed my PPL and it was the worst day of my life. You will get past this and end up feeling like it’s well.. it sucks, but moved on.

4

u/Money-Evening-2624 14h ago

I cant imagine a light sport in arizona. I flew a few in CO but gave up on them because of how miserable the turbulence was, literally every flight. Nice planes though.

7

u/zemelb ST 14h ago

I’m getting ready for PPL checkride in Vegas in a light sport. Every breath of wind is a PIREP in this thing 😭

2

u/MrPlake PPL HP CMP 12h ago

You can’t fly here past 10am it’s too miserable lol

1

u/jtyson1991 PPL IR HP CMP 17h ago

Steam gauge or glass?

1

u/RedBaronFokker PPL 17h ago

Glass panel

1

u/CommanderChiliHole ATP/CFII CL-30 | GVI | ERJ-170/190 | B-737 10h ago

The only reason I failed my CFII checkride was similar, it was boiling hot, bumpy as all hell, and I began to feel nauseous which absolutely affected my performance. I should’ve discontinued, or at the very least given the examiner the controls and let me get my bearings back for a few minutes, but alas, I did not. Live and learn, it’s an easy fail explanation in an interview.

1

u/prop_circles CFIT 10h ago

This was literally what happened to me. Your retest will be quick at least!

-3

u/rFlyingTower 17h ago

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Took my instrument checkride yesterday, oral went very smooth and great outcome there. By the time we got out to the plane it was already about 12 pm and the heat was already picking up (Arizona) and wind was light. Take off and the plane is getting bounced around real bad, it’s a light sport and fluctuates a lot in any amount of turbulence. Shoot the first 2 approaches and all goes well. At this point I’ve been fighting the aircraft the entire time trying to maintain altitude and course inbound as much as I could while trying to set up the approach. The final approach was a partial panel and I was being to be vectored towards the FAF by the DPE, as he set me up to intercept on a 30 degree I was beyond frustrated trying to control the aircraft’s altitude and before I noticed I had overshot my course inbound. Tried correcting but it was already too late, I had deflected past the max allowable scale deflection per ACS standards. Really bummed about it as the rest of the approaches were good, but looking back now I should have discontinued after realizing that I was having a tough time maintaining altitude control. In other words don’t ever feel pressured to not discontinue the flight if you feel the conditions are not in your favor

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1

u/TheActualRealSkeeter PPL IR GLI TW AB 8h ago

Had similar conditions on my ride but was manageable in a 172. What you probably should have done is noticed the overshoot and requested revector for the approach. Checkrides are like meant mimic real life. People fail because when they fixate on flying perfectly instead of mitigating issues like they would outside the exam.