Recent trends

Private Checkrides:  Not to much progress made in correcting the issues described earlier this year.  Oral wise, Weather still seems to be the biggest issue and a number of applicant don't know how to recover from a spin.  Flying issues:  Several recent applicants have had problems demonstrating slips.  Continuing problem areas are crosswind take off/landings, as well as, correctly doing a soft field landing.

Commercial Checkrides:  Orals.  Weather issues as stated earlier this year continues to be a weak spot and new to the list is Aircraft System knowledge. Since we don't have to test in complex airplanes any more, most applicants are showing up in fixed gear Cessna and Piper products.  All that is great and all but I have discovered that we may have forgotten to review the systems of the airplane we've been flying in a lot.  I've been told a lot of goofy stuff.  Did you know the turn coordinator is powered by the static system in a new 172 or that carburetor heat on a Warrior is electric?  All new to me.

Flying:  Over all I have had several great applicants! The flight portion is pretty easy if an applicant has had good training.  Of the checkrides that have not ended successfully, the common factor was they where not prepared in accordance with the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook and the ACS. For example, one applicant did the Lazy 8s with adding and reducing power as the airplane climbed and descended. 

Multi Engine Checkrides:  We've had pretty good progress on previous errors (like feathering the wrong prop).  One trend that has reared its ugly head, is not following (or even using checklist).  One applicant failed to insure the gear was down before landing.  It could have been caught if he used his checklist. 

Instrument check rides:  Oral:  Weather knowledge, RNAV Chart procedures and missed approach procedures.  Flying:  Holding, Circling and missed approach procedures.

Initial CFI check rides:  Just call me.  There's not enough space on the internet for me to cover that.

Helicopter Checkrides:  Overall, not much to complain about.  See my past posts for a good review.  Instrument helicopter rides.  I have the same issue on instrument airplane as I do instrument helicopter (except for the circling procedures).

Call if you want to discuss in more detail.