IFS Checkride

[C420sailor]

Well, I just got told that I have my first IFS checkride tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect. Personally, I don't think I'm ready---I think my flying is about as precise as a monkey knife fight. This should be interesting.

Anyway, does anyone have any general checkride tips? Things that are instant show stoppers, or things that the check pilots like to see? Thus far the only advice I've received has been "Don't crash."

Thanks in advance!

 

[MIDNJAC]

Have confidence in yourself. You know what you are doing by now or you wouldn't be scheduled for the x-ride, and you are in fact allowed to make mistakes even on the x-ride. If you show the examiner that you are comfortable flying and making decisions, you should be okay even if you make some dumb mistakes here and there.

 

[D_Rob]

For my checkride they gave us a sheet stuff we need to know. My instructor (the one who posts here ever so often) asked me if I knew it all. I said yes (and I did). And we proceeded to go and do touch and go's at Atmore while he called cadence in the pattern.

 

[exo]

I'm not military- yet, but I've taken check rides in the civilian world. Other than knowing your checklists and exactly what to do, the best thing you can show your instructor is adaptability. You can never plan for every contingency and being able to react to what happens quickly and safety can show whether you're a good pilot; Whether you remember to check gas suction and ALT before takeoff or not is one thing... panicking on short final because of a crosswind or a high approach is another.

 

[nugget81]

Know that checkrides aren't just evaluating your skills, but are opportunities to learn. You WILL make mistakes. Don't let them ruin your flight. Just keep pressing on and learn from the whole experience.

 

[FlyingSquidz]

GUMPS check!

 

[Junkball]

Don't suck.

Ah seriously though, display a sense of confidence in everything you do, even if you're doing the wrong thing/wrong time.
#2 (This may be different in the military) I just attended a seminar on checkrides given by a bunch of local FAA examiners. The main point I took home was if you are uncomfortable with something, say, "unable." Simple as that. Every examiner who spoke mentioned it, and several really emphasized how it impresses them. Shows you are "PIC," understand your limitations, and have some decision making ability.

Now in the military your instructor might reply to your "unable" with "@*%$& you think you are? Do what I say you &#%@," but I have no experience with that.

 

[C420sailor]

GUMPS check!

Oh if I had a dollar for every time I heard that over the past two weeks!

At least I'll have a flight in the morning to shake the rust off before the checkride in the afternoon. I tend to fly better after I make a few passes. Thanks everyone!

 

[FastMover]

Just try not to make stupid mistakes. I know it sounds simple, but that was one of the things that I had trouble with while I did IFS. PAY ATTENTION to what's going on and try to think clearly. Try not to get flustered and stay cool and calm. If you make a mistake or muck something up, tell your instructor, "Hey, that was pretty bad. Can I have another try at it?" The instructors that I flew with in Destin would let me have another try at something if it wasn't as good as they thought it should be. Hope this helps...Good Luck!!

 

[Gatordev]

Now in the military your instructor might reply to your "unable" with "@*%$& you think you are? Do what I say you &#%@," but I have no experience with that.

There's actually a grade to mark if "unable." No, I'm not making that up. It's a grade of "2" (out of 5). For your first four flights in Primary, all the items except the brief and Instrument, Gas, Position reports will have an expected grade (called MIF) of "2." So you could actually pay the unable card at any time.

Now, try that on your Safe for Solo and it probably won't work out too well. But if you want to give it a shot, let us all know how that works out for ya.

 

[Rubiks06]

Take a pre-game dump and get a good nights sleep. You'll be fine.

 

[Raptor2216]

I did IFS well before it was standardized but i'm surprised to this day that I passed it. I could fly the plane just fine but the headwork that day was unsat. I look back at it now and it would be a joke to do it again but even with all my mistakes, I was safe enough to solo in the pattern. Needless to say, it was a learning experience. I think you'll be just fine.

 

[redmidgrl]

You can actually find exactly what they are looking for in one of the Jeppeson books you were issued for IFS. I don't remember what it was called, but it was small like the syllabus and shows all the standards that you are expected to meet for each checkride.

When I went through IFS as PAC, they basically said you could screw everything up but so long as you can land, you'll pass. Just prove that you're safe enough that they can trust you to take up one of their planes alone...

 

[Clux4]

Sing your favorite song to yourself on short final. One of Bon Jovi's maybe?!
New pilots are always adviced not to try to fix a bad approach.

Flare, flare, flare!

 

[bunk22]

I think you need to just sack up and do it. Don't suck as well.