Coms

20 years a pilot

As a pilot of 45 years and a 20-year designated pilot examiner, I understand the emotional trauma of a pink slip, and I truly hate giving one and disappointing someone who doesn’t meet the standards yet (“Around the Patch: 20 Years a Pilot,” January/February 2022 Flight Training).

In my heart I also know I could never live with myself if something happened to them in an airplane because of my inability to truly evaluate their skills and make that difficult decision. I have to know that those who ride with them or behind them in an airplane can put their trust in the fact that they met the standards and are qualified for that FAA pilot certificate or rating.

It always amazes me how even training a few more hours can make such a difference in the skill that is lacking. Also hugely important is the confidence that person has in themselves and the fact that they feel they have truly earned the certificate. Even more amazing, I’ve had people thank me when they had to do a second round of training and testing.

Mary Schu
Tualatin, Oregon

Do your best

I truly enjoyed FAA DPE Natalie Bingham Hoover’s article “Do Your Best” from the January/February 2022 issue. Her description of what to do after the examiner lets you know something was unsatisfactory was spot on! Midway through my checkride as I was setting up to demonstrate my short field landing, the examiner noticed a slight change in the wind and asked me to switch to another runway. I had never landed on that smaller one, got nervous, and botched it. The examiner was very kind, followed the steps that Hoover listed in her article, and asked me what I wanted to do. The pressure was off! We took off and I satisfactorily completed the rest of the checkride.

We met up four days later and I showed him a short field landing. It was just like Hoover said in her article.

Joan Widener
Wichita, Kansas

Holes in your training

just read Jill W. Tallman’s January 2018 Flight Training article in which she wrote about her experience with a Class C airport and clearance delivery (“Around the Patch: Holes in Your Training”). I am a newly minted pilot and have only operated in Class D or G airports, so her experience is one that I would have run into had I not read the article. I am not sure if I was ever warned about it by my CFI. I am reviewing various YouTube videos of how to deal with the situation. Thank you for reaffirming that AOPA’s Flight Training magazine is a must have for all pilots...and that a good pilot is always learning.

Raphael Borrero
Pembroke Pines, Florida

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