Check ride follies

I tend to ask a lot basic (or fundamental) questions on check rides.  Stuff a pilot really should know.  Lately, I've had several applicants fumble on a few basic flight planning questions.  It hasn't just been private applicants but commercial and flight instructor applicant as well.  So what are the  questions?  here they are .......

1.  Explain to me how you determined your power setting and what true airspeed and fuel burn that will yield.

2.  Is that with the mixture leaned?  If so, How do you lean the mixture?

Commercial Pilot Applicants.  Did you know that Area of Operations (AOO) VIII, Task B requires you to know about Pressurization?  Remember an examiner has to test all the skills and at least one Knowledge and one Risk Management item?  A basic question might be; Explain how a typical pressurization works. That question may lead into a scenario to test other Tasks with in AOO VIII

Multi Engine Check rides:  Way to many applicants identifying and feathering the wrong failed engine.  Slow Down and fly the airplane.  You know what that means dont you?

Also when you experience and engine failure on departure you must maintain Vyse.  In most situations, that means you must lower the nose to do that.  When the engine fails, you will lose a lot of airspeed quickly.  That will probably put you very close to Vmc and lead to a lose of directional control. 

Engine failure during cruise:  Maintain your altitude while you do the engine out drill until the airplane slows to Vyse.  If you cant hold Vyse without losing altitude then let the airplane drift down at Vyse.  Of course if you have enough power to maintain altitude and an airspeed at or above Vyse, then do so.

Engine out Instrument approaches:  Set up your approach and get it stabilized! Fly it like you only got one chance at doing it right.  In real life you may not be able to go around and try it again.


All check rides:  I am still seeing to many applicant show up not qualified or lacking the proper endorsements for the check ride.  This is purely the instructors fault.  Why do I say that?  In the Regulations the instructor signs off the student as meeting the requirements of the regulations and attest to giving the training required.  The FAA doesn't make it any more clearer that that.

Fly Safe!