instrument rated!! the beard goes!!!

WOOO!

what a feeling. i finally got the instrument rating last sunday on the 11th on my checkride re-test. he just had me do the GPS29 at Hanscom starting with vectors to JAYSE. piece of cake! well almost...check out this METAR:

KBED 111556Z 28020G28KT 10SM CLR 19/02 A3006 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/1555 SLP191 T01890022

fun, huh? and that didn't account for the cold front that blew through just before we launched. as the DE and I were holding short waiting to take off, there were a few business jets coming in. on top of that the pattern was crowded (sunny sundays...) and what's more, the tower called a low level wind shear alert, +/- 10 knots at 200 feet.

awesome.

i joked with the DE, "so let's see...wind shear, check, busy airspace and busy radio frequency, check and check, wake turbulence, check. oh, and gusts to 28...check...and let's not forget i'm nervous about busting a 2nd time. check."

all in all a pretty benign approach that went well within standards (i caught the step down fix this time). we got bumped around a great deal, but there was no wind shear thankfully, and i managed to land pretty smoothly, albeit left of the centerline after .7 hours on the hobbs.

eh, whatever...i have an instrument rating now :)

and so, the "rating beard" got shaved:

busted checkride - how to deal

did you just bust a checkride? i know how it feels, i did too! it was my instrument checkride, nonetheless. it feels like being dumped, fired and arrested all at the same time. that sinking feeling in your stomach...'am i one of those pilots that you hear about? did i just seriously bust a checkride? what about my flying career? how will i handle this in job interviews?' maybe there are more tears, or swears, but that's pretty much what it's like.

after my bust i started reading around the web about busts, and most advice is correct. the DE did it to keep you and your passengers safe, but it's a learning experience, you'll fix what's wrong, and you'll get it right. one of the CFIs i'm friends with had this great advice, "and now you'll have a great story for the interview." he's right - what a great opportunity to tell your future employer about an experience that made you a better and safer pilot!

now here's hoping you or i don't bust the re-test...mmmkay?