On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 16:02:02 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Jul 2006 14:06:05 -0400, FlipSide wrote in
::


While the certificate may be a license to learn, it is the FAA
examiner's duty to assure that the flight instructor has prepared the
student adequately to operate within the NAS without committing
violations, and that the student understands the gravity of his
command responsibilities.

Interesting that you mention the role of the DE. The one that gave me
my oral exam and the flight test left me wondering to this day about
his abilities.
During a 2 hour oral exam he asked me maybe 5 or 6 direct questions.
Most of the time we spent talking about his flying career as a naval
aviator. Then during the check ride I didn't think that he was as
tough as he should have been. He seemed so "whatever" about everything
I needed to do and in my mind it seemed I never really performed as
competently as I should have.
But I wonder if he was either so experienced and bright that he could
see and recognize my abilities, or if he was completely incompetent. I
will never know.


I find it very encouraging to hear that attitude being expressed by a
newly certified airman. It is far more important than perfectly
executing maneuvers alone. Your instructor did a good job.

The instructors tought me the skill sets. From them I learned the
technical aspects of how to get the airplane up and down safely, but
the attitude I have about flying did not come from my instructors.
It's all about being a perfectionist, and not a satisfactionist.

The want and desire to be "perfect" at every thing you do, even though
it's never unattainable, should nontheless motivate all Airmen all the
time.