Private pilot

On Wednesday, August 25, it became official: I am a private pilot!

Even now, writing three days later, it still hasn't fully sunk in.

It's been nice to have a break from all the studying and practice I've been doing the past few weeks. I was frankly getting a little burned out...so much so that I haven't even been keeping up with the blog. I'll go back soon and fill in the blanks of my last 2-3 weeks of training.

I had originally scheduled the checkride for Thursday the 26th. I had a little difficulty finding an examiner in the area willing to come to Olympia. I was finally able to schedule it with a gentleman from up near Seattle, who offered to fly down to KOLM if I'd cover his aircraft rental.

As Thursday approached, the forecast for low ceilings and gusty winds held. With less favorable weather on the way as Fall gets closer, and with my work travel set to pick up again in September, I really wanted to get the test out of the way. In addition, I had spent a lot of effort (not to mention cash) practicing and studying, and I felt as ready as I ever could be. I didn't want to try to ramp up again in a few weeks.

So I called the examiner on Tuesday night to see if he could move it up a day, to Wednesday. When he returned my call he said he agreed that sounded like a good idea, so we agreed to meet in Olympia at around 3. I scrambled a bit to take care of work obligations and secured a most generous clearance from my boss to take the afternoon off.

The test was pretty much as I expected. The oral portion began with a review of my flight plan for the (somewhat fictitious) flight he assigned me...KOLM to KAST (Astoria), via Hoquiam. That gave us a chance to review aircraft performance, airspace, sectional charts, and weather. He had also assigned a weight-and-balance problem...so we reviewed that and he asked me to explain the consequences of an aft center of gravity on aircraft speed and performance. He challenged me with a few details, and I didn't know everything, but in general it went well.

After an hour, and a few more topics of discussion, we were ready for the flight test. We walked over to the hangar, and spent some time talking about aircraft systems. Having had an airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic as an instructor really paid off here...again, there were a few little details I didn't know, but for the most part I did well.

It was pretty hot on Wednesday--maybe 80 degrees at takeoff--so as we taxied out he held his door open for ventilation (the window on the right side of 898 is not openable)...it did cross my mind that this was a test of my pilot-in-command skills. I decided it was safe, verified that he felt it was safe as well, and off we went. I made extra sure to stay right on the center line as we taxied around all the construction going on at KOLM this summer.

Runups complete, he asked me to make a short-field takeoff from runway 35. Just as I practiced, I held the yoke all the way back, lifted off at about 45 knots, stayed in ground effect, and accelerated to 75. We climbed away via a left downwind departure, on course for Hoquiam as we passed midfield.

After passing Capitol Peak (elev 2300) west of Olympia, he gave me an E6B math problem, which I totally bombed. I was so focused staying on course, maintaining my assigned altitude, and watching for traffic, it was very difficult to concentrate on making the computer do what I wanted. After awhile of trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, the examiner said never mind...the point of the exercise was to make sure I didn't get distracted and kept flying the aircraft. Ah, good, passed that one!

Next up was instrument flight under the hood...some simple turns to headings, then navigating to the Olympia VOR. No problem with any of that. Hood comes off, then we did some power-off and power-on stalls. During the power-on stall I let the right wing drop and it wasn't the best recovery, but he said it would do (after reminding me about rudder use during stall recovery). Next were steep turns, slow flight, a simulated emergency landing (I kept best-glide speed nailed through the whole thing!) and then back to Olympia for landings. One soft-field landing, a no-flap landing, and we were done!

It's been a long haul, with a lot of work and focus, but I am very happy to have reached this milestone. I realize I still have a lot to learn, and doing so will continue to be a priority for my flying.

Stay tuned as the olympiapilot blog changes its theme from training to enjoying, exploring, and continuing to grow in this fascinating, challenging adventure!