Haha kshansen. Thats funny. Some people think Impact means I am full of myself and will make a huge Impact on others. Actually I chose it because of my work history building grain bins. We used 1/2” drive electric Impacts. We gave more of a workout on the impacts in one day than most people would in a lifetime.
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Impact's "Things Done at Work"
- Thread starter Impact
- Start date
Yesterday was my check ride. For you non pilots, that is the final step in getting a license. Wow, that was intense. The oral portion lasted 3 hours. I got through it, but I was mentally and physically drained. The examiner even commented I looked tired.
I have spent the last week totally consumed with being prepared. I was struggling a bit with short field landings and steep turns. I nailed those. I didn't work on soft field landings any, as those should be easy, right? Guess which one I bombed? I have plenty of excuses. Wind was brutal as was the thermals. The plane was being bounced around terribly. My approach was off, when I chopped the power and flared it floated then sit down hard. At that point I gave up. If I would had just kept the nose wheel light, I still would have passed it. But I quit.
At one point the examiner had me divert to a different airport. (Common practice). I had never landed there, and as I was coming in, I notice tall steel support towers with transmission lines right in the path of my landing pattern. They had the big orange balls on them. Am sure I would clear them but I didn’t like it. The Bonanza comes in so fast there is not much time to make a decision. I finally said I am not landing there. Knowing that would be an F I was disappointed. The examiner was like...oh why not? I explained and we left. After we got back, he told me I made the right decision. If I wasn’t comfortable don’t do it. Period. Wow
The whole deal lasted from 8:30 till 3:00 pm. Exhausting! I have a couple of things to brush up on and reschedule this coming week. Do not have to start over. Just show him I corrected my mistakes. Should be one short flight and sign me off. This has been one intense year of training. Will be so happy to just fly when I want
I have spent the last week totally consumed with being prepared. I was struggling a bit with short field landings and steep turns. I nailed those. I didn't work on soft field landings any, as those should be easy, right? Guess which one I bombed? I have plenty of excuses. Wind was brutal as was the thermals. The plane was being bounced around terribly. My approach was off, when I chopped the power and flared it floated then sit down hard. At that point I gave up. If I would had just kept the nose wheel light, I still would have passed it. But I quit.
At one point the examiner had me divert to a different airport. (Common practice). I had never landed there, and as I was coming in, I notice tall steel support towers with transmission lines right in the path of my landing pattern. They had the big orange balls on them. Am sure I would clear them but I didn’t like it. The Bonanza comes in so fast there is not much time to make a decision. I finally said I am not landing there. Knowing that would be an F I was disappointed. The examiner was like...oh why not? I explained and we left. After we got back, he told me I made the right decision. If I wasn’t comfortable don’t do it. Period. Wow
The whole deal lasted from 8:30 till 3:00 pm. Exhausting! I have a couple of things to brush up on and reschedule this coming week. Do not have to start over. Just show him I corrected my mistakes. Should be one short flight and sign me off. This has been one intense year of training. Will be so happy to just fly when I want
Welder Dave
Senior Member
Having to redo welding tests to get your pressure tickets is frustrating. Having to redo your check ride is better than attempting it if you aren't comfortable or the weather isn't the best. It will be worth it in the long run. You don't usually get do overs if something goes terribly wrong in a plane. Sounds like you had a smart examiner.
crane operator
Senior Member
Great call. In business and construction especially, we get trained into making whatever we want to happen, will happen. We roll the dice a lot and figure we can find a way out of it.
I used to talk a lot with a guy who flew airliners. He said its the greatest danger with older guys who become pilots late. Generally, they are guys that have been successful enough in whatever they do, to be able to get a plane and ticket, and its a dream of theirs. Those type of people aren't used to not doing what they want to , when they want to do it. Marginal conditions, unfamiliar terrain, outside mental distractions, etc, means they are a little too bold, a little too sure of their skills, and end up doing things they shouldn't do. Its hard for those type of people, to say No, good for you to realize when you were behind the game.
Good luck finishing up getting your ticket. Its hard to be evaluated like that, in a pressure situation.
The Bonanza's nickname is "the doctor killer", you ain't one so you'll be fine!
This morning I landed a new ridge site, that had a lot of embedded sharp and narrow rocks, 8 to 10" high, I can't believe my bushwheel tires (29" Airstreaks) handled them, no sweat! Then I flew home and an hour later, working on a new retaining wall I'm building for the shop, got excited when the phone rang (work) and in my rush to turn the blaring radio off, got caught up in a dry line I had stretched tight. I went down hard, no biggie, but my left hand came down on a rock just right, to break my FU finger, it was at a 45 degree angle, it's not supposed to do that! Got lucky and a local hand doc made time for me immediately , and turns out it was just dislocated, he popped it back into place and I made my job on time, an hour later! Moral of the story, stuff happens, may as well fly and have some fun. Note: no pain killers were taken, so I was OK to "run heavy equipment!"
This morning I landed a new ridge site, that had a lot of embedded sharp and narrow rocks, 8 to 10" high, I can't believe my bushwheel tires (29" Airstreaks) handled them, no sweat! Then I flew home and an hour later, working on a new retaining wall I'm building for the shop, got excited when the phone rang (work) and in my rush to turn the blaring radio off, got caught up in a dry line I had stretched tight. I went down hard, no biggie, but my left hand came down on a rock just right, to break my FU finger, it was at a 45 degree angle, it's not supposed to do that! Got lucky and a local hand doc made time for me immediately , and turns out it was just dislocated, he popped it back into place and I made my job on time, an hour later! Moral of the story, stuff happens, may as well fly and have some fun. Note: no pain killers were taken, so I was OK to "run heavy equipment!"
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Rescheduled the checkride for this morning. It will be nice to actually go somewhere when burning $4.25 AV fuel. Sick of always taking off and landing at the same airport.
CFI did sign me off for a cross country Monday to Nashville. Had a Dr appointment. Turned a 3-1/2 hour drive into a 40 minute flight. That was nice.
CFI did sign me off for a cross country Monday to Nashville. Had a Dr appointment. Turned a 3-1/2 hour drive into a 40 minute flight. That was nice.
crane operator
Senior Member
Congrats. There's three airports within a 15 minute drive from my place, I'm expecting a visit. 
- Sitting here bored. Been flying a lot since getting my PPL. Flew to Gulf Shores and back one Saturday just for seafood. One trip to Ocala Fl and back. One trip over the Appalacian mountains into NC. Flew to Branson Mo last weekend. Flying to Houston this coming weekend. One thing I have learned weather is a big issue. Thunderstorms haven’t been a problem yet my visibility and clouds are! I need my IFR ticket
Welder Dave
Senior Member
Doing barrel roles in a crane is impressive.
HATCHEQUIP
Senior Member
At least you haven't turned it up to let the pups suck
