On Sat, 02 Dec 2006 18:12:38 -0800, Sam Spade
wrote:

Roy N5804F wrote:

Roger,

I forgot to mention, that like yourself I am licensed radio amateur
[W8/G4DYR] and have the in-depth technical understanding of the avionics
fitted in the Archer.
If asked a similar question by the DE, I too would probably head off down
the full electronic technical path to describe how it worked :-)

Is that called "trick the man who holds your family jewels in his hands"
before the flight portion of the check ride?

Not at all. If you ask an engineer or some one familiar with how
something works you are indeed likely for them to answer in the same
manner as they always do when asked that question. They give the
technical answer, after all he didn't ask me how I used the thing, he
asked how it worked. I thought that was a bit deep for the instrument
check ride, but I would not have though of answering the question in
any other manner.

My degree is in computer science, one of my minors is in math, I have
26 years working in instrumentation, and my hobbies are almost all
technical. In the normal course of events it would never occur to me
to tell some one how I use a piece of equipment when they ask how it
works.:-))



Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com