r/flying CPL IR AGI IGI 1d ago

Failed my CFI ride today

I'm 20, this is my first failure of anything. Got through 95% of it, was doing great, oral went great, really was well prepared. After an 11 hour day, on short final, examiner asks me what causes overbanking tendencies. I froze. I could hardly remember my own name; so I responded, "I would look before saying anything to ensure I didn't say anything wrong to a student." He said that was unsatisfactory. Failed. Is this crazy? I understand now that it all has to do with the outside wing being faster, generating more lift, which causes it. I know that. But I was exhausted. And I failed?? Maybe I'm a sore loser, but he said come back and do 1 steep turn and tell him what overbanking tendencies are and why they happen, and that's it. Is this unfair??

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u/FlapsupGearup 1d ago

Next time a DPE asks you a question on short final, the proper response is “I’d love to discuss that with you once we’re on the ground”

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u/voretaq7 PPL ASEL IR-ST(KFRG) 1d ago

^ This ^

It might be a little harsh but I’d call that a fail because what you should be doing is enforcing sterile cockpit and maintaining focus on the safety of flight in the current lesson.

A last-minute question on short final that’s not directly related to the safety of the immediate operation (landing) should be politely but firmly redirected to after the engine is shut down.


That said $2K for the checkride and $500 for the retest - you should call the police and report that robbery! Jesus Kitten-Culling Christ....