Gold Seal Mock Check Ride Session

May 21, 2024

Gold Seal Mock Check Ride - Instrument Pilot Oral Exam

Instructor: Russ Still Examiner: Todd Shellnutt

Introduction

  • Event: Gold Seal mock check ride session
  • Duration: 1-1.5 hours
  • Participants: Alex Hernandez (Applicant) and Todd Shellnutt (Examiner)
  • Purpose: To simulate an instrument pilot oral exam, covering areas like weather, planning, decision-making, routing changes, and instrument approaches

Ground Rules & Procedure

  • Examiner will use Plan of Action (POA)
  • Predetermined scenarios and trigger events based on Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
  • Use of shared screen for ACS standards and applicant's flight plan
  • Examiner will take notes for a thorough debrief

Topics Covered

Pilot Currency

  • Instrument Rating validity and requirements
    • Example scenario: Has flown 5 approaches, tracked a NAVAID 7 times, and held twice in the past 2 years
    • Applicant cannot act as PIC in IFR under IMC due to currency lapses; Requires 6 instrument approaches, interceptions, tracks, and holds within 6 months
  • Documentation of flight experience
    • Use of logbooks (both digital and physical)
    • Entry of specific flight details in the log remarks

Aircraft Familiarity

  • Scenario: Switching to an unfamiliar aircraft configuration (e.g., six-pack vs. G1000)
    • Risks and proficiency needed for different instrument configurations
    • Importance of familiarization with different aircraft types

Database Currency

  • Importance of up-to-date G1000 database for IFR flight

Personal Minimums

  • Importance of setting personal minimums beyond legal requirements
    • Example: Refusing to fly in low IMC despite being technically current

Weather

  • Sources for weather briefing: 1-800-WX-BRIEF, ForeFlight, weather.com
  • Types of briefings: Outlook (6 hours out)
  • Analyzing METARs and TAFs for accurate weather assessment
  • Example Interpretation: METAR and TAF for Tupelo, MS
    • Understanding of METAR components and implications for flight planning

Weather Hazards

  • Thunderstorms: Formation, risks, and lifecycle (Developing, Mature, Dissipating stages)
  • Wind Shear: Identification, risks, and mitigation
  • Cloud Types: Understanding and impact on flight
    • Cumulus and Stratus clouds
    • Stable vs Unstable atmospheres

IFR Systems

  • Recognizing pitot-static system failures and their impact
    • Indicators: Airspeed Indicator errors due to pitot icing
  • Icing conditions and aircraft systems
    • Anti-ice and de-ice systems (e.g., pitot heat)
  • Navigational systems and instrument checks before IFR flight
    • Importance of functioning altimeter, airspeed indicator, turn/slip indicators, etc.

GPS & WAAS

  • Importance of up-to-date databases and WAAS capability
  • Failure impacts and minimums adjustments
  • Regulatory requirements for fuel reserves in IFR flight

Communications Failure

  • Scenario: Lost communication en route to destination
    • Procedures: Aviate, navigate, communicate
    • Highest of assigned, MEA, and expected altitudes
    • Routes: Assigned, vectored, expected, or filed
    • Leave clearance limit considerations

Airspace and Charts

  • Understanding and interpreting low enroute charts and airport diagrams
    • Identification of Class Bravo/Charlie airspace, magnetic variation, and published holds
    • Use of airways and OROCA
    • Interpreting METAR and TAF for weather-related decisions

Conclusion

  • Emphasis on loss of comms planning and system understanding
  • Importance of thorough preflight planning and familiarization with procedures and aircraft systems
  • Continuous learning and yearly updates to improve proficiency and readiness for check rides and real-world scenarios

Additional Notes

  • Importance of proficiency over simple currency
  • Always have backups and additional resources during flight

Hope this helps and good luck with your studies!