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Remarks: Remembering Checkrides

Adam Wright Photo
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author details his extensive journey through aviation, accumulating nine different pilot ratings over several decades, from private pilot to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).
  • He recounts several memorable and often challenging checkride anecdotes, including a stuck solenoid during his SES ride, an NDB no-gyro approach for his instrument rating, and an examiner needing an IPC during his CFII ride.
  • Despite various experiences ranging from informal to scary, the author emphasizes a lifelong passion for flying and continuous learning, hinting at potential future ratings like glider or helicopter.
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Recently my wife and I were musing about my checkrides, so I went through them. My private endured loneliness for about 15 years before I added SES (single-engine sea) to the certificate. Those two hung out together on my paper certificate for about another 15 years as I was mostly a dabbler, flying when time, money, and obligations permitted. Then, my certificate enjoyed a flurry of changes over the next few years as I added an instrument rating, commercial, multi, and finally all three CFIs. 

A few years later, the airline I’d joined after dumping my high-tech career, paid for my ATP. So, I’ve had nine checkrides. I remember some and have forgotten a few. But, there are stories.

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