Passing The Ride

Expecting that I had somehow unknowingly blown my check ride, we landed, shut everything down and he informed me I had...well...passed! A bit confused but obviously glad I hadnt actually blown it, I accepted the good news not wishing to open my mouth and undo it, and simply thanked him. I never told my instrument instructor what the examiner had said, only that he passed me.

Editorial Staff

Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The author recounts a perplexing instrument rating check ride in 1983 where, despite believing they performed flawlessly, the examiner stated they were "not controlling this aircraft properly."
Despite the unexpected mid-flight critique, the author surprisingly passed the check ride, which they accepted with confusion and relief.
Years later, the author discovered the examiner was Myron Goulian, father of the renowned aerobatic pilot Mike Goulian, which recontextualized the critique into a lifelong lesson about true stick-and-rudder mastery and precision flying.

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In July 1983, I experienced an interesting instrument rating check ride as the examinee. Although intercoms and headsets weren’t in common use then, I had a David Clark headset loaned by my instructor and I wore my own. I thought the reduced noise would make the experience that much better and safer. The examiner agreed and readily accepted the offer. Check one.

We were at a towered field. I did everything by the book: We took off and flew all the assigned approaches. I was careful to hold right rudder during climb. I also used rudder when entering and exiting turns. There was nothing that seemed out of the ordinary after well over an hour in the air. All of my approaches were good. Check two.