GOD DAMNIT! RANT
 

GOD DAMNIT!!

Okay, god damnit im pissed. Im in Flight Training. I have my private pilots license and am going for my Instrument Rating.

I am STUCK! I CANT PASS the Stage Two Check ride! FUCK GOD DAMNIT there is ALWAYS SOMETHING!


OKay, first time i tried I was just shit. I was late. THere was a problem with the plane. I got the examiner from hell and it was turbulent. all that combined to fuck me up.

Okay, fine. Scheduled a lesson with the examiner to fix thigns. She talked for 1.5 hours about SHIT... about being an IFR pilot, about approachs, and this and that. SO WE DIDNT HAVE TIME TO DO OUR LESSON. GOD DAMNIT. So I Scheduled AGAIN. AND THAT TIME THE GOD DAMN PLANE WAS LATE SO WE COULDNT GO UP. GOD DAMNIT SHIT!..

SO I SCHEDULED AGAIIIIIN> Only that the tehre was a fucking temporary flight restriction because of the damn president being in town. SO I SCHEDULED IT AAAAGAAIIIN... this timei was so pissed that i just said i wanted to do the stage check over again and to hell with the lesson.

I showed up, and by the time we got done with weather/preflight/etc IT WAS TOO FUCKING LATE, so we rescheduled for later that day,...

AND I FUCKING FAILED>


GOD FUCKING DAMNIT. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK. I AM STUCK AT THIS STAGE AND NEVER EVER GETTING OUT. I WILL BE A FUCKING Stage II PILOT FOR THE REST OF MY GODDAMN LIFE> FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK IT FUCK!


DAmnit!

take a deep breath and calm down...

Then figure out what you need to do to pass...

All that stress can't be good for your test results...

Take a deep breath!

May I suggest you stay FAR FAR FAR away from a plane if you're that worked up about it at the moment? I think you'd like to stay alive to see yourself reach your next stage check. Things happen, plans change. Try to roll with the blows, learn from your mistakes, and move on.

Take about a week off, relax, have some fun, show your lady friend a good time, get some good rest, schedule that bitch of a test for first thing in the morning, and you'll kick ass.

I'm a current CFI/CFII/MEI.

Mabye I can help. What's the problem? Stuck on approaches? Scan problems?

Be happy to help. PM me if you'd like.

:) heard of www.ventanger.com ? :P

anyways chill man.. it's all good.. breath in count to then and puff..

Hey flyguy, neato..
thanks so much...


My problem is that im not ahead of the airplane. It always seems like I cant do things fast enoguh.

Control gives me a new alt, by the time i get up there, level off, adjust power, trim, etc, then they tell me something more to do...

I never get enough time to think about where i am, whats comming next, or have to time to turn in frequencies, or breif the approach....

Ive gotten alittle better, because I got orginized with two knee boards, one for notes the other for approach plates


but, still, it just seems like there isnt enough time. I feel like I cant do things (ie, look at the approach or enroute chart when im climbing/turning, etc because I will invariably blow through my alititude...

Its especially hard when we file VFR, because the examiner wont give me enough time, she gives commands and when im done with one, she will be like "okay, 5626G turn left 230, by the timei get that done, shes like, 5626G descend bla bla bla... meanwhile im getting more and more nervous because I know I havent tuned in the vor or approach frequencies, etc etc...


in short, I just dont feel like I can do the things I need to do (ie breif approach, look at enroute chart, etc) while I am changing the airplane...ie climbing to a new alt, or turning to a new heading..... If i do look down, I end up blowing through my new heading or alt.

Im fine if im straight and level, and need to look down at shit, thats fine...i can handle that, its just when there are tons and tons of changes right after another...i never get time to do what I need to do.

Either they are going to have to slow down (not likely) or I am going to have to learn to

A- look at approach plates/enroute charts/change frequencies while Im also moving to a new heading or alt

or

B- get fast enough at briefing approaches/looking for info/changing frequencies that I can get it done in the small amount of time between new heading or altitude changes...


B sounds like the best option, since A will probly make me shoot through headings and altitudes.


So how do I get faster? Besides just going up and doing it?

oh, and thanks everyone else.... I was just sooooo mad at myself.


I went and worked out this morning...i feel altittle better...

im dreading telling my instructor though...

Ok, let me prepare a mini lesson on IFR flying...

Will post it here when I'm done.

Ok, here's my take based on what you've said already....

My first indication is that since you're constantly behind the aircraft, you have trouble with your scan. I assume that you're flying a 172 or something similar that has a standard six pack instrument setup. Here's the panel:
<IMG src="http://img34.exs.cx/img34/6950/panel.jpg" width=800>
I'm sure that your instructor has told you this already but it's worth repeating. Remember that your attitude indicator is your primary instrument. When you're doing different maneuvers other instruments become primary but I fly for the airlines and since I don't do steep turns, or the rest of those primary instrument training maneuvers anymore (expect in the simulator for pro checks anyway) the attitude indicator is primary. Start your scan there. Move back and forth from the attitude indicator, to the DG, back to the attitude indicator, over to the VSI, back to the attitude indicator, over to the altimeter, back to the attitude indicator, over to the airspeed indicator, back to the attitude indicator, over to the turn coordinator and again, back to the attitude indicator. Not necessarily in that order. But the idea is to have a constant scan going at all times. Remember that the attitude indicator is the ONLY instrument that gives you BOTH pitch and roll information. That's why it’s primary. None of the other five instruments give you both at the same time. Airspeed indicator gives pitch info, turn coordinator gives roll info, DG gives roll info, VSI gives pitch info, altimeter gives pitch info. The key is, to keep your scan going AT ALL TIMES. Don't stop scanning. Know what the instruments are telling you. Realize that some instruments can give you better info that others. For example, the VSI will help you to hold altitude better that just looking at the altimeter. Why? Because it's more sensitive to pitch changes. The aneroid wafers inside the altimeter lag a little bit where the VSI is hooked up directly to the static port on the side of the aircraft. Thereby, making it more sensitive.

It also sounds like you're disorganized in the cockpit. You say that you have two kneeboards, one for notes and one for approach plates. Do you have one of these? (Cat not included)
http://img72.exs.cx/img72/1083/Picture795.jpg
When I was instructing, I found that this yoke clip was very helpful because I didn't have to look all the way down to look at an approach plate. I still had a kneeboard though to copy down clearances when we would get a pop up clearance to do practice approaches.

Here are a couple of pointers on getting organized. An example for you, here's a sectional chart of my hometown, Anchorage, Alaska where I did my training and instructing:
http://img62.exs.cx/img62/5434/ANCsextional.jpg
Find Anchorage International and go northeast. See the white arrow? That's pointing to Merrill Field. My old airport. My point is that with my instrument students, we would depart from Merrill Field and file direct to Big Lake VOR which is an airport just southeast of the VOR (Big Lake VOR) at the top of the chart? See it? When we filed direct to the VOR we would go and shoot this approach:
<img src="http://img50.exs.cx/img50/8721/bgq.jpg" width=800>
Notice that this is a simple VOR approach. You're probably done one similar a few times already if you’re at that point yet. The point I'm getting at is how to organize the cockpit for this flight. I would have the VOR frequency (112.50) already dialed in the receiver so I wouldn't have to do it in the air. The DG is set to runway heading when you're on the centerline right before you apply power for takeoff. The approach plate is already in the holder ready to go so you don't have to dig it out enroute. Sitting on the runway, you are already talking to tower, and you should have departure control frequency set in the standby in the COM radio because that's who you'll be talking to once tower hands you off after takeoff. Do you see how you saved yourself a lot of work and you're not even off the ground yet? Once airborne, all you have to do is dial the OBS to center the needle and fly the heading that'll take you direct to the VOR. You have a good 20 minutes before you get there, plenty of time to brief the approach.

A point in copying clearances how's your shorthand? Remember there is no right or wrong way when using shorthand. As long as YOU can read it and (this is important) understand what you copied, then it's fine. Here's the clearance I would always get when flying from Merrill Field to Big Lake. (Remember, we filed direct and we always filed for 2000 feet.)

"Cessna 1234A, cleared to Big Lake airport as filed. Climb and maintain 2000. Departure control is on 119.1. Squawk 1234."

Here's my shorthand in how I always copied this clearance: (remember, this is my way you have to develop your own)
http://img16.exs.cx/img16/8213/041006211316.th.jpg

I think that it'll help if you get a yoke clip. That way you won't have to look down so much. When you do, you lose sight of the instruments and you mess up your scan.

I think that you do have to slow down. I had that problem when I was in your shoes. Take your time, think about what’s coming up next and get ready for it. It comes with practice.

Hopefully, this will help you a little.

You will pass your check ride when you are ready and qualified. You won't pass because you want to.

Even if they say so, not everybody passes their first or even second time. (It took me twice for my mine).

Don't let the little stuff like the plane being late or the instructor goofing off distract you. This is the stuff that happens in the real world, so being able to adjust and not panic is as much a part of the ticket as the skills. Stay cool and relaxed. Don't drink coffee.

Flyguy has given you some good technical tips, but the bottom line as you know, is staying ahead of the airplane. One caveat, don't be thinking so far ahead that you let some little thing like switching tanks sneak up on you. Always take a deep breath every couple of minutes. I used to write RELAX. BREATHE. on my kneeboard.

Good Luck man. Flying is great. Let us know when you pass.

look at all the shit you can learn on the tfp!

Flyguy,

thanks so much for taking the time to write that. I know it must have taken you a while. I have taken it to heart, and will try to apply it..


On a side note, I did an IFR lesson shortly after reading your post.

It was a night IFR and i hadnt flown at night since my private pilot training over a year ago..

It went perfectly. I had hiccups and dealt with them. Everything was within limits and the ILS approaches were very very smooth.

ON the localizer back to homefield, It was messy, but within limits.

I asked my instructor what I did wrong to make it so messy on the last approach. He then informed me that the VORs in this airplane suck ass and the needle "sticks" sometimes.
I noticed that it did this on my stagecheck, but thought it was just me.


Anywho, all it took was another flight and im all good. I think the failure on the stagecheck was due to be not being current (no appraoch in a month) and the VORs being shitty.



Thanks so much for your post. I kept telling myself in the plane that I always had to be doing somethign. IF i ever was just sitting there straight and level and flying, I needed to find somethign to do, put in new frequencys, check dg, whatever

it worked.


thanks again,

Ill let you know how it goes when I go for it again..




OH, and just so there is no confusion, this isnt a checkride. its a stage check in a part 141 school .

The actual checkride is 5 lessons away.

Wash you will do ok you just need to relax I felt the same way when I was getting my IR. Now im working on my commercial rotory wing ticket

Good to hear. I'm glad I could help. Good luck with training!

Flyguy, you are AWESOME!

I am not a pilot due to being deaf, but I took the next best route in aviation psychology. You've really hit a LOT of issues that have to deal with being a competent pilot in your post. If there was a top ten posts award, I think you've earned it!

hey guys! sorry that I didnt update you guys earlier.

I passed the stage II stagecheck flight a while ago. thanks again for the help.


Today is my stage III stagecheck flight and my actual instrument checkride is this upcomming friday....

wish me luck

Passed stage III stagecheck.


End of course checkflight is tomorrow. (its a real mock checkride with 2hours of oral, flight, the whole deal).


The actual checkride is on friday.

wish me luck.

good luck. Great information, flyguy. I am gonna start playing flight simulator again now!! ;)

(Damn, how I wish it were real, though!!!)

Digging your rage Wash2. Some of us just need to express it until it goes away I guess.

Anyways. I'm very hyped up for you and wish you the best with Friday Particularly. You've got to post your results as soon as you aware.

Hey, remember, if Friday isn't your day for this pass, its not a fail its just a delay : )

Good luck bro!

What flight school do you go to?

I wish you the best of luck on your checkride man! Do the best you can and have no regrets. :)

Great images, you're pretty lucky to be able to get up and go fly. What a great job!

wow.. that's cool :) thanks for the insight on how this stuff works and what it takes to accomplish.

Just wanted to check in and say two things.

1 - Flyguy. Wow. That was one of the most generous, considerate and unselfish posts I've ever read on any message board. It's thanks to people like you that I keep coming back online, hoping to meet and learn from some good hearted people out there.

2 - Washington! Keep up the good word! :) G'luck on your checkride.

Carn,

I go to a small part 141 FBO flight school in northeastern ohio.


Everyone,

thanks for the support, especially you flyguy..

Well, thursday night came around and i was behind on everything. I was rusing to get forms filled out, flight time tabulated, my x-country planned, etc etc and just really felt very rushed. I was wishing I could just have a few more days to get everything done and to let things solidify.

Well, friday morning comes up and i get up at around 5am. I finish my x-country plan with the current weather, check all notams, etc etc. and get a good weather briefing from the local FSS.

I drive to the airport, meet my flight instructor (who, by the way, had to get up very very early to get there in time for me to get the keys and be ready....thanks man!

so, I check weather again, etc etc and decide to call the examiner since its very much IFR outside and im supposed to meet him at a different airport (i was to fly there)..
since i wouldnt have my ifr rating for another few hours :}......

i called him and it went somethign like this.

Him "helo?..(sounding groggy)"
ME: yea, this is XXXX, im just checking in, its 30min before Im supposed to meet you and uhh..
Him: hows the weather looking? (keep in mind, its raining about as hard as rain can rain outside...
ME: its pretty nasty
Him: yea, how does tomorrow look for you?
ME: not good, i have class saturday morning, how is sunday for you?
Him: not good.
ME: what is good for you?
Him: monday/tuesday/wed/ mornings.
ME: want to try for wed morning?
him: ok.
me; ok see ya wed same time, same place.
Him: alirght, goodnight, ....i mean goodbye.


Lol i think i woke him up!

anyways, i dont mind that i had to wake up at 5am and did all that shit till 7:40 before I realized it wasnt going to happen....

cause remember what i had been wishing for? a few more days...??? well i got it.

I spent the day leisurely going over stuff, and spent today reviewing for the oral. I feel much more relaxed and cant wait for wed. I want my rating!!

wish me luck :}

holy crap, i cant believe its been almost a whole month since i wrote this thread

Phew! Use it wisely Mr W 2.

Look at it as more time to prepare. That way, you'll really know your stuff.

Great advice Flyguy. I am an instructor too (albeit a new one) and that was some damn good advice.

I think that getting my instrument rating was by far the most difficult out of all of my ratings/certificates. It is a very overwelming thing. Especially for relativley inexperienced pilots.

Awesome.

I'm about a week and a half away from getting my instrument. I'll be so glad when I finally have my rating. Instrument work is the most boring stuff ever.

If you're planning of making a career of this you better get used to the "boring stuff." All airline flying is IFR.

Wow, I thought sure I had posted the results on here.

I got my Instrument rating...about a month ago;] Thanks flyguy for the help.

I am taking my commercial checkride in a week.

Wish me luck!

Good luck washington!!!

And congrats on passing your instrument thing! I'd like to hear more about how you did.

Two words for you: anger management.

Hehe cheer up! I hear tescos has an opening for a cashier... :p

But seriously, bestest best of luck in your re-test!