2.7（6） Checkride Site Changed? ~ One Week Left

There were only one week left until checkride. Flight training at Pepper Airport (fictitious name) where the checkride is to be held hasn’t started yet.

However, the checkride was cancelled due to the examiner’s reason. We booked in a hurry another examiner on the same day. Of course, the airport for the checkride changed from Pepper Airport into Salt Airport. A new airport again? No way, are you serious? There is only one week left...

＊Both Pepper Airport and Salt Airport are fictitious. Any more names of spices cannot come upon in my mind. At last, only salt and pepper are in my mind. Sorry!

<Finally, Flying at Salt Airport>

The change of the examiner and the airport for the checkride reminds me of other changes occurred in the past for this flight training such as training sites, flying schools transfer, flight instructors, etc. Now, the examiner and the checkride airport have been changed. Incredible evolvement.

Finally, we started to fly at Salt Airport. Because this was the long-awaited day, my voice was vigorous. Since then, my voice was more and more stable and lively compared with my original tendency toward speaking in a fragile voice.

Yesterday, not enough attention to keep the runway/taxiway centerline was pointed out. Therefore, I was going to definitely keep it at any time. When taxiing with such determination, the instructor praised my efforts as usual. The CFIs probably understand every student type who grows up with praise or otherwise. Regarding keeping the centerline at any time, even I can understand it important through experiences.

Actually, however, it happened one day, I was so into keeping the centerline when taxiing that I almost missed the parking area. It’s not good for pilots to focus on one thing. I need to chant “divide attention, divide attention” LOL. But it is true that you learn from mistakes.

<GPS... Not My Thing>

I’m not a technical person, let alone not familiar with home appliances. My present task is to learn how to use the GPS receiver on board. I was taught it during runup, which rarely happens to other students. Most people are helped by GPS, but I would be peaceful without it or takes time to be helped.

As the braking action is not allowed in soft-field takeoffs, I need to be able to turn at right angles as much as possible in entering the runway. As I was not good at applying the rudder pedals, I practiced it many times resulting in outstanding improvement. It can be said practice makes perfect whoever you are.

One day, we departed Cilantro Airport for Salt Airport, taking off westbound with the right downwind departure. About five minutes later, the instructor said casually, “The door on your side opens.” I wasn’t expecting that, and it scared me. He said, “I will reduce speed, and you close the door,” once again in a calm and casual manner. He was only one calm.

Aircraft’s door and pilot’s seat must be secured for safety. It may be trivial but critical.

Flying on the new route, I was carefully identifying the ground objects and paying attention to altitudes, airspaces, and the descending timing while listening and responding to the controller, entering left downwind of Salt Airport. When I flew into Rosemary Airport for the first time for the new cross-country route created due to my heatstroke, I stated it was exciting to gain more knowledge and experiences in the article of “1.6 (5) New Long cross-Country Flight.” Now, I am in the same feeling.

However, as starting to fly at Salt Airport, I became only a beginner because of environmental changes. Landings were terrible not turning base at a proper point and altitude, etc. Still, I went through things harder, so I didn’t think I couldn’t.

The only thing that I wasn’t satisfied with was that I couldn’t correct my mistake after pointed out once. It was not that I didn’t want to fly any more or I was sad about something. I didn’t know why, but a large amount of tears (and sniffles) came out during post-briefing. So, I learned to bring a big box of tissues. LOL

It was a strange last week during which I was busiest, hectic, and uneasy while moving forward and feeling happy, but crying every day in post-briefing.

The practice at Salt Airport was a test prep including lots of items, which required a certain amount of time for preparation. The instructor pointed out in detail and taught me more strictly (probably, he tried to have me mentally ready for the checkride). I’ve been continuously busy and stressful without any rest days.

Under such circumstances, I one day talked back to the instructor during flight training. Perhaps, I was thinking, “I don’t want you to say many things at a time as I am trying to resolve problems one by one at an unfamiliar airport. Please make me keep my pace.” (continued)