I failed my instrument practical test today.Does anybody know my pain?

Question

I failed my instrument practical test today.Does anybody know my pain?

Answer 1

Sorry to hear of your bad day. It isn't the end of the world so don't beat your self up. In 30 plus years in Aviation I never had any one ask what was your score on a certain written test of did you pass your ATP or Instrument rating the first time? So you see it really doesn't matter. I bet when you re-take the test that you ace it any way.  Good Luck and happy flying.

Answer 2

Toughen up princess, get more practice and only go for the test when you are able to meet the basic requirements they want.

It doesn't require much, just work at it.

Answer 3

Darn Michael. I hate to hear it.

a synopsis???

My CFII ride is in  a few days with a FAA inspector that is notorious for not passing anyone the first time. Joy, joy

I feel for ya, but we both know you will get your ticket!

Answer 4

Gee, that's really too bad. I never failed a practical or written exam myself, but I've had a few students who did and it is devastating for both the student and instructor. For one, it makes the instructor look bad to the examiner for recommending a student who was not ready. Too many failures and an instructor can go up for license review, so by all means, apologize to your IP for letting him / her down, because he / she is probably depressed about it too.  

I'm guessing that nerves got the best of you (checkrideitis), as it does many people, plus the instrument ride is tiring and it is easy to make mistakes near the end. On the bright side, it isn't the end of the world. Failure is one of the best teachers around and next time you won't blow it. The instrument ride is the hardest one and everything after that, including the ATPL, is pretty much just review.  That said, if you're going to be a professional pilot, employers always ask about checkride failures on the app and / or in the interview, so do not even think of trying to hide it - they can check. One failure is no big deal, but two or more could hurt your chances of getting hired, so be darned sure to ACE the next one.

My advice for the re-check is that every day between now and then, fly a complete checkride in your mind, from preflight through landing to tying down the airplane to receiving your freshly minted certificate. Review all the procedures in your mind, "see" the instruments and your hands manipulating the controls, "hear" the ATC instructions, visualize all the instrument maneuvers, and "do" all the normal and emergency checklists. Do this in one continuous sitting (at least an hour). This type of "meditation" is helpful at least as much (if not more) than actual flight training.

At some point, I hope you have a different instructor (or a very experienced instrument pilot) give you a mock checkride to make sure you're ready. A second (or third) opinion can help tremendously to spot potential problems. The object of the game is not to get your ratings with the minimum cost, it is to do well and get the most out of your training.  Nobody wants to ride with or share the skies with anything less than a competent airman.

Cheer up and good luck next time.

Answer 5

Passed my instrument first attempt in minimum time at age 18. In a simple aircraft, a Piper Archer. Contrary to one of the other posts, I found my most recent type rating (super mid-size bizjet, full glass) to be more than just a review of my instrument ride. But that kind of includes the sim training leading up to the ride, too. The weather was always bad (in the level D sim) and there was always some abnormality or emergency. Anyway, when I was instructing instrument students, I usually wanted to see two preferably consecutive mock check-rides (practical tests) performed satisfactorily before I signed them off. Get together with your instructor and focus on the areas/tasks which were problematic for you.