This morning we came back for another try on the checkride. The F/O who had been my partner all through training (Andy), was supposed to do his check today, which actually was just a Proficiency Check (not an FAA checkride). Our Chief Pilot was the FAGO (Flap And Gear Operator) for both Andy and I and he was supposed to do a Recurrent Trainer with me yesterday and a Proficiency Check today. Because of our problems with the sim yesterday, he didn’t get his RT done. And because I had to finish my type rating today, he didn’t get anything done at all, save swinging gear and flaps for Andy and I. And, contrary to the way we’re *really* supposed to do things, while both Andy and I worked on our checks, two Flight Engineers did checks (one type rating and one Proficiency Check).
Andy went first and did well. He had to do his whole ride as he wasn’t in the sim at all yesterday. That took a little over 2 hours. We took a break and finished me up in the last little over an hour. We got out early and I came straight to the airport where I sit now writing this.
The debrief was short. There was really only one thing I missed (a radar altimeter check), which Andy also missed, as did the chief pilot (not once, but twice… with both Andy and I). Guess it’ll never be perfect, right? Aside from that, it went pretty good.
So now we progress to the next step: long range nav, differences, and LOFTS (Line Oriented Flight Training Simulators). Only after that will we actually see a real airplane…
For now, I’m heading home to enjoy a little R&R with the fam…
Happy Easter, in case I miss that 🙂
V-