Done! …Almost

Hello Everyone! As I had mentioned in my last update a while ago, I had my 150NM solo and my flight test left. Due to weather, my flight test date got moved around quite a lot and I finally ended up doing it a few days ago and passed it with a mark of 90%! The test consisted of a 2.5-hour ground session and a 2-hour flight. Though the tester wanted to get all of it done on one day, we had to split them into two separate sections, once again, the weather got in the way. The initial ground portion consisted of me being tested on my knowledge about the different systems of the aircraft, my ability to make a nav log for a cross country flight, my ability to make weight and balance charts and calculate takeoff/landing distances. As the scenarios were given to me the night before the test, I was able to get everything done ahead of time and be prepared for any questions that the tester – Mike – had for me. Though I was extremely nervous before the test, I was able to answer most, if not all, of Mike’s questions. Doing this gave me a confidence boost when it came to the flying portion of the test.

There was a long four-day gap between the ground and the flight portion, and finally, on the fourth day, Mike texted me saying that we were going fly that day, no matter what. The weather for that day was extremely weary. The forecast said that the ceilings were scattered at 3100 and broken at 3500, but when we got to the practice area, it was worse than the forecast. Luckily, we found a clear patch where we were able to complete our upper air-work. When we got closer to the forced and precautionary landings part of the test, was when everything got more difficult. There were a few times where we could not see the ground while travelling towards another clear patch. Eventually, we found a patch and worked with the weather in order to finish this test. Once the practice area portion of the test was over, we transited back to the airport where we did a few stops and goes, where I was tested on different types of landings, takeoffs and my ability to handle a circuit. The scariest part of this whole process was after we shut off the plane and I did not know if I had passed or failed.

When we walked into the club, all I was told was that we would be debriefing and talking about what I could improve on and this only made me more nervous. Once, we sat down and he started talking, the first thing he said was, “You passed with flying colours!”. This was probably the most exciting moment in my entire aviation career so far. I was absolutely ecstatic!

Now that I am done my flight test, the only thing I am waiting for is a clear sunny day to do my 150NM solo. I also have my written exam to do, which I will be writing later on this month.

Finally, thank you to everyone that followed my journey and supported me along the way. I don’t know how I would have done it without all of you! This community is so encouraging and so helpful when students like me have questions or concerns! I really appreciate it!