Article
Need to know vs. Nice to know
When you start training to reach the goal of becoming a private pilot, you might
become overwhelmed in the amount of knowledge you are expected to know. What you need
to keep focused on is what you need to know. Once you get the basics down, then you can
build up your “wow” factor to impress your fellow aviators. There are numerous resources
available to help you study for your practical (flight) and knowledge test (oral). A great
place to get started is in the front of the FAR/AIM. There is a section listing all the
recommended regulations and sections in the information manual to give you a general
direction for studies. If you read the P.T.S, which is the practical test standards,
this will be extremely helpful as well. I am not sure why but I never read this book,
and come to think of it, I don’t think my students did either. The P.T.S. is your Check Ride.
If you can meet the standards prescribed in this book, you can be a pilot.
When I was in initial training I wanted to learn it all. I wanted to know more than my fellow pilot.
I think we (as pilots) can all relate to this; God blessed us with huge egos. Please do not fall into
this. You will hear the saying, “There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old/bold pilots.”
If you recall the first article, Here,
on “Becoming a pilot” I talked about finding the right flight instructor. The syllabus they use will
be key in helping you focus on the important points of a lesson. Remember to try and keep the big picture
in mind. You are going for your first rating, you have less than 10 hours of flight time and you haven’t
done your first solo yet, so if you do not know what adverse yaw don’t loose sleep at night.
In the flying arena you will hear the term “gouge.” Learn to use the gouge. Typically there are one or
two FAA examiners for your area. They have been giving check rides for years. Learn to network with
those that have tested with them and find out what their areas of concentrations are. I am willing to
bet you will find almost all of their check rides follow the same format, and look for the same information.
If you can get real comfortable with the anticipated questions, you should have no problems. Remember, the
examiner will ask you a question or two you will have no clue about. Do not worry. This is to be expected.
Remember back to that whole ego thing, try and leave it at home the day of your check ride. The examiners
want to try and stump you to see how you will react. Do not make a mountain out of a molehill. Just be
honest. If you do not know something just tell them. Through all my training I have learned more on the day
of my check ride than with my instructor. One thing I have learned is the more you learn, the more you have
to forget (not sure if this is old age though.)
So there you have it, flying is a complex arena to master. There is something to be learned,
and in my realm, something to be forgotten.
So from one ego to the next…”Keep It Simple Stupid.”
Written by: Paul Hibbs
About the author:
Paul Hibbs is a graduate of Embry-Riddle and has over 8 years of flight experience. He maintains a rating of Certified
Flight Instructor and CFII with a mulit-engine rating. For questions or comments please write Paul at, paul@savvypilot.com
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