How to keep believing in yourself after failing a General Flying Progress Test flight test?

Question

I just failed my first GFPT flight test, I am doubting if I can finish the expensive Qantas Cadet Pilot course and chase my dream. How to keep believing in myself and be positive and motivated? Any help from anyone, pilot or not, would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

Quitting is how they weed out those who have the "right stuff" from those who don't. Don't be discouraged. Persevere! Study double hard, and also try the technique of "visualization" and using "flash cards". These can work seeming miracles.

For visualization practice, find a relaxing place with no interruptions for at least an hour or two at a time. Imagine taking your flight test again. Imagine everthing about it, from doing a preflight inspection through all the maneuvers to taxiing in, tying down the aircraft, and performing a post-flight inspection, then receiving your passing mark. As you visualize, repeat all of your checklist items from memory (you have memorized them, haven't you?) while you "see" and "touch" all the controls and switches.  "Hear" ATC and imagine making all your radio calls."Feel" the maneuvers as you imagine your way through them, keeping an "eye" on all the things required to stay within the required limits of the flight test.   Etc, etc, etc. Use all your senses. Stay relaxed, stay focused and practice this at least once or twice per day before your next flight review.

Trust me, this really works. Aerobatic pilots, Olympic athletes, martial artists, ballet dancers, and many others all practice the subtle art of visualization. In great detail they go over every movement in their minds eye. It is simply another form of meditation. It doesn't come naturally, but with practice it becomes second nature. Professional studies have proven that those who perform such mental exercises excel over those who don't.

As for memorizing checklists, regulations, and other pertinent details, use flash cards. Get a big stack of index cards and write a question on one side and the answer on the other. You may wind up with 200 or more cards covering every aspect of your airplane (V speeds, dimensions, weights, etc), checklists (including normal ones and emergency procedures), flight regulations, etc.   I learned this technique while flight training over 25 years ago and I still use flash cards today to get myself through recurrent training or a type rating in a new airplane.  It really works.

You cannot afford to fail a second time. Visualization and flash cards are the two things that have really helped me yet few instructors know about them. Try my suggestion and I'm sure everything will be easier for you from now on. Good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Answer 2

your realy lucky to have this opputunity.

many pilots may pass this and then strugle to get a job and then give up.

i'm almost 16 and recently started flying lessons. Qantas is my dream, except im not extremely smart but i know il pass maths and hopefully english. 50%

but i am happy with REX, or another airline like Virgin Blue.