On 2 Feb 2007 09:36:48 -0800, "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

On Feb 1, 10:37 pm, "Jim Macklin"
wrote:
Know how to interpret the material from on-line sources.
The key is, can you draw a crude picture of the weather
[verbally or with a pencil] and then apply that to the FAR
as to whether the weather, currently and forecast, will
allow the operation.

Partly, but every DE I've ever worked with required the applicant to
show up with the classic charts and exhibit knowledge of the symbols
(i.e. carry a secret decoder ring). Once rated, few pilots every use
these old style charts.

They didn't even have me look at weather charts or even the old style
codes and this was a few years back. Of course the weather was so bad
it bout beat the snot out of me flying up there to take the test. I
told him I almost canceled, but decided to head up and see "how it
went". He asked me about the forecast and if it was deteriorating,
getting better or as forecast. I also had everything he asked for, in
a note book and _in_order_. After he asked for the second document and
I just flipped a page, he said, "let me see that". Looked through it,
asked me a few questions on weather, flight planning, aircraft
performance, and a few other things I've now forgotten and he sent me
out to preflight the Deb.

It's been a while, but "as I recall" the whole oral part of the exam
was on the order of a half hour, give or take a bit. Thing is, being
*thoroughly* organized at least made it look like I knew what I was
doing. :-)) He told me later that he usually expects to take at least
twice as long on that part and it was rare to have any one come in
with the *stuff* in a binder, let alone organized.

Most of it was done as casual conversation, but I knew what he was
after with each question. If I didn't know the answer I was able to
tell him right where it was and could find it in the FARs or AIM.
When it came to the requirements to be able to drop below DH on an ILS
I proudly rattled them right off only to be greeted by a blank stare
as if he were waiting for something. Then he said, there's one more.
I went through them three times but always came up short. Finally I
looked at him, held out my hand and asked if "I could use the book".
:-))

The conversation seems casual, but make a mistake and you can expect
more questions on the same subject. Miss another one or two on the
same subject and you may spend quite a while covering that particular
segment and you WILL know (and remember) the answer afterwards, or the
test will be over.


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