Finishing up

Just time now to finish up everything that needs polishing before the checkride.

Took the written exam at AV8 – a local FBO at Van Nuys. It’s all done by computer, you can go back through all your answers, mark answers to flag them for review, etc. Pretty slick. You get 2.5 hours for the test. I was done with my first “pass” in about 20 minutes, and then reviewed for another 20. Passing is 70 – I got a 95. Very happy with that, even though the questions I missed (or at least the ones I THINK I missed – you can’t tell exactly which ones you missed, but after reviewing the prep materials I’m pretty sure I know which ones) were pretty easy ones. One on turbulence, one on certification (relating to the certification of aircraft classes) and one on taxiing with a quartering headwind (I thought it was tailwind – very different). I said going in I’d be happy with anything over 90, very happy with 95 or better – so there you go.

After telling Kent I had passed the written, I asked how far in advance I should think about scheduling my checkride. He said it shouldn’t be a problem, since I can fly midweek – so just go ahead and schedule it for the END OF THIS WEEK! After asking if he was SURE I was ready, he said “Oh yeah – you’re done. Stick a fork in you – you’re done.” So schedule I did. Wanting a BIT more time, a scheduled it for the following Wednesday – June 23, 1999. A day that had BETTER live in infamy!

Then it was just training with Kent, soloing to perfect the maneuvers and studying (with and without Kent) for the oral. A phase check with another CFI on Saturday to make sure I haven’t missed anything, and last minute touch up on Monday or Tuesday and I’m done. Wow. Such a long, difficult, expensive, exciting, rewarding, challenging, interesting journey to this point. Even before taking my checkride, I would suggest it for anyone.