It is time in our ballooning community for many of us to take responsibility for our actions.
I know that I am viewed by many as a difficult Designated Pilot Examiner. I am! I expect an applicant that comes to me to be ready to take the appropriate practical test. I expect them to fly within at least the minimum standards as out lined in the Practical Test Standard. Also, I expect an applicant to continue to learn throughout their flying career. I am very disappointed when I must issue a Pink Slip instead of a Temporary Airman’s Certificate. And yes it is very difficult to issue a Pink Slip. An FAA Designated Pilot Examiner has a responsibility to administer the Practical Test as we are taught by the FAA. A Designated Pilot Examiner has a responsibility to each and every applicant to administer the same fair test and to issue the appropriate certificate when the applicant meets the standard. The Designated Pilot examiner has a responsibility to other certificated pilots, to persons on the ground and their property, and to potential passengers and crew, to issue a Notice of Disapproval or Pink Slip to those applicants that do not meet the same standard.
For the Private Pilot applicant that does not meet the standard, it is my opinion, that the instructor is as much or more at fault than the applicant. Allow me to quote from the FAA Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Lighter-Than-Air Free Balloons: (FAA-S-8081-17);
"Flight Instructor Responsibility
"An appropriately rated flight instructor is responsible for training the private pilot to acceptable standards in all subject matter areas, procedures, and maneuvers included in the TASKS within the appropriate private pilot practical test standard. Because of the impact of their teaching activities in developing safe, proficient pilots, flight instructors should exhibit a high level of knowledge, skill, and ability."
As you probably can tell by now this litany is leading some where. I am quite upset at the lack of preparedness of applicants that some instructors are signing off for their check rides. Recently I had an applicant (who lives more than 300 miles away) referred to me for a private check ride. This instructor(?), is a local individual. To add to the tension, the applicants written test was to expire the next day. By the way this applicant had to take the written test three times before he passed. In the two years since he passed his written, he had logged a little more than 20 hours of flight time. Now comes the saddest part: his "check ride" only lasted less than five minutes into the oral! The applicant had numerous problems, 1) his solo endorsement had expired more than six months previously, 2) he had not received the instruction as required by 14 CFR part 61.107(f)(1)&(5), as evidenced by a lack of logbook entries and his own admission! 3) he did not have the required endorsement in his logbook showing him to be found competent to perform safely as a private pilot. Now as I am a difficult pilot examiner I made a mistake_ I did not issue this applicant a well deserved Pink Slip. I sent this individual back to his instructor(?) to correct his deficiencies. Needless to say I have not seen the applicant since that time. I did not charge for my time or services-also a mistake.
I take responsibility for my lack of action, however Mr. Instructor(?) if you are going to teach, then teach and do your job properly. You owe that to your students! If you do not want to do your job then quit, do not teach, and do not even start a student. Students that are taught properly, learn good habits, like proficiency, courtesy, and responsibility. If you have been a pilot any time at all, you know that the new private pilot is perhaps facing the most difficult time of his/her flying career-being the pilot in command and the expert in the eyes of his/her crew and passengers. Students, take your time, learn who the good instructors are, demand they teach to at least the appropriate standards and learn to take responsibility for your actions.
Just because you can inflate a balloon, get it airborne, and then get it back on the ground, does not make you a pilot! To be a true Pilot, one must have received the appropriate instruction, passed the appropriate practical test, continue learning about your aircraft and flight maneuvers, exercise precise aircraft control, make sound judgments in decision making, and take responsibility for your actions! Now, please go and think safety, act safety, and fly safe.
I am willing to help any student, pilot, or instructor to become more proficient and to answer any and all questions. Best of all there is no charge for this service!