OTORCRAFT CHECKRIDE
The Coin Toss
The Instructor’s Cardinal Sin By Randy Rowles
We’ve all been there. Flying with our student during what we set out to do so many hours before. That is, who is capable of exceeding all test standards set before them. You’ve done this many times before; it’s just a walk in the park. So you walk through your FAA exam checklist to verify nothing has been missed:
Training records complete? Logbook endorsements complete? FAA Examiner scheduled? take this checkride? Well … not so much.
During test prep, you notice that the student isn’t consistent with each maneuver or task you present. little voice in your ear and a knot in your gut that’s making you uncomfortable: They’re just not ready
for this checkride! Then your student completes a picture-perfect autorotation and you ignore what you believed to be true just a few moments earlier.
It would appear that determining whether an applicant is ready to take a checkride—or not— that may compromise an instructor’s decision is that constraints on the student often appear near the end being scrutinized against the funds remaining for the cause.
pressure on an instructor to meet minimum training times of a contract student, or not exceed the quoted hours (cost) of a training program. No matter what the catalyst of pressure on the instructor: Compromise pilot applicant.
In all reality, the determination that a person isn’t ready to perform the duties of pilot-in-command is a lifesaving decision. Each passenger that would entrust their safety to a pilot you train is doing so based on their belief that YOU the instructor had their best interest in mind. Any compromise that you a death sentence to an unknowing passenger. A safe has only luck on their side.
Instructional compromise, no matter what drives the decision, perpetuates mediocrity within our pilot ranks. With each compromise you make, the level of performance you require from your student to meet your determination of acceptable performance will begin to decrease. Eventually, you’ll reach a place in your instructional career where the words “they’re good enough” will be used. Unfortunately, that would be the proverbial coin toss—and a serious error in judgement.
So be honest and be fair, but most of all: Never carry a coin while teaching.
Randy Rowles has been an FAA pilot examiner for 20 years for designation, and was the 2013 recipient of the HAI Flight Instructor of the Year Award. Rowles is currently director of training at Epic Helicopters in Fort Worth, Texas.
82 Mar/Apr 2016
Training Musings
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