Cannot Pass Private Pilot Checkride

[paulwayne]

Dear FSX Forum, I have a problem with my MS FS-X Gold Edition with Acceleration.


I have completed and passed all of my Lessons for Student pilot and Private pilot lessons. When I try to complete the Private Pilot checkride the instructor keeps on failing my checkride. I am performing all of the instructions and must have tried over 200 times and cannot get past the steep 360 degree turn. Can someone offer any help to pass this Private pilot checkride.

Thank You for your help, paulwayne

[mepdraft]

Unfortunatly, I can't offer any advise for you on this one , as I am in the same pridicament. Although I have quit after only about 20 tries. I attributed my problem to 2 posibilities. First, before going for the lessons and the checkride, I did most of my flying in the twin engin Barron 58. Second, I only have an older model Thrustmaster Top Gun Afterburner II, which, a few year back might have been an good set of controles, but with time , maybe, there is some wear and tear, witch mite make it less responsif.

My thought at the time was to come back to the checkride after I get a new yoke and loged in some hours on the Cessna 172

I will keep an eye on this tread, as I am interested to see what other response you might get.

Michel E Paquette

[billythebassman]

Once you are trimmed at 100 KIAS and level flight ( try 0.7 degrees up on the trim wheel) you should maintain 2300 rpms. The steep turn starts with increasing this to 2400 rpm then immediately going to a 45 degree bank while watching the vertical speed indicator so as not to lose or gain altitude. Line up the white line on the attitude indicator just above the 45 degree mark. You also need to watch the bug on the directional gyro so as to time your rollout without going over 120 degrees where you started out. then go back to 2300 when the turn is complete to avoid gaining altitude.
Once you complete the steep turn all you need to do is land at Tacoma Narrows within 8 minutes to earn the certificate.

Let us know how you do or if you need further suggestions

Billy

[mallcott]

Been a while since I did this but did you remember to set the pressure setting correctly (`B`` key)?

If not, you are probably exaggerating the altitude departure beyond pass parameters.

[paulwayne]

Billy, Hi.
After I level off at 2000', I am requested to make a 90 degree turn to the west. Then i am asked to make the steep turn. I cannot get past the 90 degree turn to the west, yet I maintain the 2000' at 100 knots?
I did make to the steep turn a couple of times, bu the heading bug will not let me complete the steep turn? Is this a problem with the accelaeration pack or just not getting it correct?

Thanks, Paul

[dbauder]

I have 21,000 "real" hours and decided to try the Private checkride. It took five tries. I don't recall having any trouble with the steep turns in particular, though. I have the CH yoke and throttle quadrant. Where I had trouble (that I know of) was climbing out at too low an airspeed (75 to 80 seems to keep "her" happy). Also, when you get to land, keep the plane on the runway, come to a stop and you'll pass the ride. Don't do the normal thing, like I did, and use the nearest available turnoff, as a normal pilot would. The technique mentioned above for the steep turns is good. A good frame rate won't hurt either. Let us know when you pass.

[billythebassman]

Hi Paul

The first turn of 90 degrees to the west must not exceed 20 degrees of bank in addition to the other parameters that you mention. The heading bug should not affect your ability to turn; it has no effect on that ability unless the autopilot is engaged.

You should wait until the instructor says "Good Job" at the end of this first turn before attempting the steep turn because the program only monitors one section of the checkride at a time. I have found it worthwhile to pause the sim after each section of the ride (marked by the "Good Job" remark) and then think about the necessary inputs for the next stage.

Don't be discouraged this checkride is not easy but it can be done with practice and by noting what went wrong on each attempt. Flight Analysis run at a slow rate of about 2x can be very helpful in this regard.

Billy
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[paulwayne]

Dear Billy, I tried that method about 30 times and stil cannot get past the steep turn. I climb to 2000 ft OK, then a 90 degree bank to the West OK. When the steep turn comes, I keep on failing. I have 52 flight hours in the Cessa 172, do I need more flying time. Please advise?

Thank, Paul

[billythebassman]

I set up then saved a regular flight at the same altitude, heading and speed as appears in the checkride just before the steep turn. In that way I could practice just the steep turn without having to fly the whole checkride from the beginning. After each attempt, I ran "Flight Analysis" from the FSX menu and slowed it down to 2x so I could see exactly where I was outside the acceptable parameters. I could then plan how to correct whatever violation of the parameters appeared in the heading altitude and speed categories of the analysis.

Billy

[paulwayne]

I set up then saved a regular flight at the same altitude, heading and speed as appears in the checkride just before the steep turn. In that way I could practice just the steep turn without having to fly the whole checkride from the beginning. After each attempt, I ran "Flight Analysis" from the FSX menu and slowed it down to 2x so I could see exactly where I was outside the acceptable parameters. I could then plan how to correct whatever violation of the parameters appeared in the heading altitude and speed categories of the analysis.

Billy

Billy, Hi.

I tried everything to pass the Private Pilot Checkride, practiced at Breminton airport to Tacoma Narrows and practiced the steep turns. Still cannot pass.
Do I need to follow the "checklist" and complete. I even tried that and still no pass.
Do you have any other suggestions? It has been months and hundreds of attempts with no success.
I even repeated all the lessons and passed them. Any shortcuts or advice?

Thanks, Paulwayne