Well, now I can call myself the newest private pilot in the US, at least for a short time

I had a really, really easy checkride with a 36,000 hour pilot who was more concerned with making me understand that the FAA system was terribly flawed, I was to double all regs and not fly at night, etc. than hardcore testing.  I had about 5 basic oral questions, a quick 15 minute flight chock full of non-precise manuevers, a normal takeoff and landing and one temporary PPL, thankyou vey much.  It was a great afternoon to fly, and I really enjoyed it.

Hm, this feels good

Congratulations! 8)

'Bout time...

Just kidding; well-done!

Was the ride really as minimal as you describe? 15 minutes? No short-field demonstation? No radio nav work?

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To be fair, really all check rides should be a formality...


...of course, reality is slightly different.

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I guess it depends on how well the DE knows your prep instructor, because technically, the ride with the DE is to assess the quality of your instruction more than your skills. The former should define the latter, or at least that is how they seem to view it. Am I right, Brett?

My DE often contracted to the school I was with, but he was very thorough. with me.
  I can't account for it- my last CFI had a good rep, and was very thorough, usually, with paperwork, etc. Maybe he didn't get a chance to properly brief the DE on my progress.
Or... maybe I was weaker than I thought, and needed a good going-over... ("I can't promise anything with this one; let 'im have it...") 

This is where politics enter the picture; and the best we can do, as responsible pilots, is to NOT look the other way when short-cuts are taken. Even if it means stepping on a well respected toe.

The club I've been flying with the most lately, has  "it's own"  DE. He's well known for butting heads with the FAA idiots (and winning). He works very closely with the instructors at this club.. and if one of "his" instructors has signed a student off for a checkride... It means that student has already passed (with flying colors) a mock checkride, several times.

Now be sure.. even one of his "approved" students gets a good looking over.. a rigorous oral and a checkride of well over 15 minutes (short field landing/takeoff  and  diverting by nav-aid a must)

Another thing to consider .. is that a student from this club has learned at a towered airport. That makes a huge difference. Your pattern entry/flying skills are honed razor sharp when every time you take off and land, you're lined up with everything from a Skipper to a Gulfstream.. Fighting with those things, both in the air and on the ground sharpens ALL your piloting skills. You wouldn't be able to get much solo time in, if you weren't already a pretty competent pilot. A solo student can fully expect to be asked to extend pattern legs by ground reference and/or circle for spacing (even on a downwind leg).. and will get a SHARP reminder if he'd not held altitude and compensated for the wind. It's kinda like ground reference manuevers at pattern altitude with planes all around you.. and sloppiness is NOT an option..  LOL.

Sorry.. I digress..

Yes, Rotty..  you're right. And I have to admit that I was a little taken aback at Beef's short checkride; but at the same time.. without reason to think otherwise.. I give the DE and his instructor the benefit of the doubt.

THe DE I was talking about told me this;  "I use the daughter rule".. "Would I let my daughter climb into a plane with this guy ?"

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I was thinking more along the lines that you're instructor shouldn't put you forward for a test/check ride/etc until he/she is confident you have the capability to pass it without event.

Sure James, I've flown down to Wildwood on more than one occasion.  It's actually a bit longer if you avoid the class B, which is wise, but definitely not more than 45 minutes.  I'd love to take a quick flight down south again

Guys, before I get him in troule, let me assure you there was no skimping.  I was asked really important, pertinent stuff-do I ever need to fly with a CFI again? For how long is my medical good?  What is the minimum height over congested/other than congested areas? etc.  For the flying, as I said, most of the manuevers were covered.  He's the type who has a very masterful control of the plane, (18,000 TT in small planes) so we moved in rapid succession from one to another.

The only reason I say all this is in an attempt to mend my blunder of mentioning how brief the checkride was in the first place.