65HP TPA?

[Bartman]

I have over 7,000 hours in Cubs, and have yet to see a published "stabilized approach" for a Cub or Champ.

If you approached the local DE as a CFI, I'd expect that DE to be professional enough to discuss it with you so you can better teach to their expectations. no?

 

[Bartman]

So some of my slips into just before the flair would be "unstabilized"?

the topic of "stabilized approaches" comes up from time to time and we thrash it out as politely as possible while basically disagreeing on everything!

ok, it probably isn't that bad but everybody has their own pain tolerance when it comes up. I've been as guilty as anyone, slipping to the runway and breaking it off at the last second to position for landing. The thing is, I find my landings are much better when I'm not working to the last second to be in position for the flare. So, you have to ask, is it acceptable to make less than great landings from questionable approaches?

So I try to get to a better position, earlier in the approach so as to be more consistently "stable" at about 200 ft above the runway elevation. I'm flying a new airplane now that is very challenging for me so I'm on a steep learning curve but that was how I was trying to do it with the Citabria and Super D. I'll work on doing something similar with the new plane as I get better with it.

 

[Bartman]

I agree

It’s odd to have deliberately vague rules only to enforce them harshly

Too much is up to the whims of a whatever DPE or ASI the dice falls on

I agree too.

Would they fault a student for using an 800' AGL pattern altitude with a no flaps Champ or Citabria?

 

[Bob Turner]

Probably yes, because now the standard is 1000' agl.

Horror story today - DPE flunked a guy for stumbling on an AD question (apparently not in the new ACS). $1500 and they didn't even fly. Passed the next time - another $1500.

 

[Bartman]

Probably yes, because now the standard is 1000' agl.

Horror story today - DPE flunked a guy for stumbling on an AD question (apparently not in the new ACS). $1500 and they didn't even fly. Passed the next time - another $1500.

i agree that's horrible, not sure what the answer is though

 

[Bob Turner]

My answer is that I won't do training that leads to a DPE flight check.

 

[JackC]

My answer is that I won't do training that leads to a DPE flight check.

The sad thing is with the FAAs actions over the last few years, the folks who don’t NEED to CFI, the ones who have the most experience, it’s like the FAA is driving them away from teaching the next generation, despite these being the people we need to better future aviators.

 

[Mtrask77]

The sad thing is with the FAAs actions over the last few years, the folks who don’t NEED to CFI, the ones who have the most experience, it’s like the FAA is driving them away from teaching the next generation, despite these being the people we need to better future aviators.

Not only that, but it’s a very discouraging process to become a DPE. It’s more of a “who you know” rather than “are you qualified” process. I know a guy who would be a great DPE and he couldn’t get any response to his interest/application. He has since given up.

 

[Bartman]

Not only that, but it’s a very discouraging process to become a DPE. It’s more of a “who you know” rather than “are you qualified” process. I know a guy who would be a great DPE and he couldn’t get any response to his interest/application. He has since given up.

I’ve heard the FSDO’s sometimes don’t have the manpower to manage new applicants

 

[Bob Turner]

They are still working from home?

 

[Bartman]

I don't know. The Allentown, PA FSDO has been great to work with but I can see how individual DPE's, each running their own show, could be a different experience.

 

[JackC]

They are still working from home?

my understanding is no more remote work

which probably didn’t help their mood

Trump made an executive order on this

Return to In-Person Work

Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate

www.whitehouse.gov

 

[Bob Turner]

Lots of loopholes in that one.

I get along pretty good with my FSDO folks, but it still takes an average of 8 months to get an approval. My latest request has been on one or another desk for a year and a half.

My actual failure rate is quite low. I submitted one relatively unimportant request, never heard from them, and didn't pursue it. Another two requests were at their insistence, and clearly unwarranted. After they requested them they turned them down. All the rest (17 field approvals and an AMOC) have been approved.

When I go to the FSDO office, there is usually only the gatekeeper and one inspector. But admittedly it is difficult to tell - they are truly walled off from us.

 

[JackC]

I’ve heard the FSDO’s sometimes don’t have the manpower to manage new applicants

They got the man power to go after people for nonsense stuff.

They have the manpower to get DPEs into the system who are friends with ASIs

If they don’t want to work that day, or it’s not something they want to do, only then it becomes a man power issue

 

[Bob Turner]

I just heard this afternoon that a CFI checkride in San Diego is three grand.

As an ordinary dirtbag guy starting out, I would not be able to afford any of this.

 

[Slipinonfinal]

What no Fed wants to confront or discuss up here in Alaska is the number of pilots with no license and no intent of ever getting one. It has been a discussion for as long as I have lived here, 37 years and it's not getting better. Lots of guesses but most agree it is at least 30% maybe more. Insurance is out of this world but I would not dare go without. I live next to the airport I operate out of and most days I ride a bike around it for exercise so even when I am not flying or working there I'm still in the area. I could write a book of all the crazy insane operations I have seen here. Most of which the feds will never know, or care to know about. I personally know of at least 3 excellently skilled pilots whom will never have a license. This is also part of the reason aircraft insurance in Alaska in through the roof. I have also over the years identified a certain type new pilot with a license, mid twenties to early thirties with a aircraft more than twice their age, taking risk that I know are driving Insurance rates up and have a strong chance of hurting or killing them selves or others. Now put their wife or girl friend in the other seat and watch the risk level go through the roof. Call it a jaded opinion if you want but I have seen this equation countless times. This place has the ability to bring about crazy behavior under the right circumstances.

 

[Bob Turner]

Uninsured pilots, no matter how reckless, should not be driving insurance rates up. No reputable insurer that I know of will insure a pilot who does not have a flight review, let alone a license.

 

[Slipinonfinal]

In Alaska if you put someone in your aircraft and you verbally inform them you have no insurance they are very limited as to what they can legally do to file a liability claim against you. Unless you are grossly negligent! Passenger beware.

 

[Slipinonfinal]

I know one lawyer here that has that statement placarded on his Scout door window.

 

[Bob Turner]

I carry liability mostly to cover damage I might do to something or somebody external. Here an engine failure one mile west of the airport will most likely injure someone on the ground.
Coverage for passengers is $100 grand max. - These days that covers a quick visit to the emergency room and a band aid.