709 Ride

[tach32]

Well, to everyone who was so kind to post any information on the "709" ride I really appreciate it a whole lot. I had my checkride today and everything went really well! What a relief! Thanks again for everything.

 

[bobbysamd]

Well, to everyone who was so kind to post any information on the "709" ride I really appreciate it a whole lot. I had my checkride today and everything went really well! What a relief! Thanks again for everything.

Congratulations! Hope what was posted eased your concerns.

 

[JAFI]

Any updates? Comments? Suggestions? General Information?

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Well, whats to worry about here? Just cause an incident is on your record doesn't necessarily kill you. If the FEDS say you need the ride, take the ride. It will be harmless. If the gear was down when you landed and then retracted and the controllers agree with you you have a fighting case when it comes down to having this on your record. Mecanical **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** happens every day and the FAA can't pin a faulty power pack, or a jacked up down limit switch on the pilot. Most of time this is just standard format. The faa want to reexam you as a pilot. Woopty doo, go fly and show them your professional and you do the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** GUMP check. I don't know you but im sure it wasn't your fault but with lackof evidence to blame it on mechanical, they just want to check you out andmake sure your not unsafe.

 

[CFI'er]

I only had one bad experience with a FISDO jerk, all other times they have been very accommodating. Being prepared for the unexpected is what it is all about. At the end of a grueling all morning oral for my initial CFI, this FAA jerk made a comment that floored me. He had a reputation for bust’n all initial rides, so I was more than prepared for the oral and practical. His comment went something like this: “I could not find anything during the oral to bust you for, however the practical is still to come, so lets go flying after lunch”. Maybe I can find fault with your flying skills”. Man, I about died on the spot and could not believe what I just heard. After gaining my composure, I said “I don’t want a pink slip in the record, and I decline to fly with you with that attitude”. He proceeded the give the “I’m the FAA, and I’m God” speech and said I could not do that. I asked to see his supervisor, and I declined to discuss the matter with him any further. His supervisor came into the room and heard my side and his side. The super then took the jerk out of the room and was away for, what seemed like an hour, but it was probably only 5 minutes or less. The super came back into the room, closed the door, and apologized. He said he would reschedule the practical and personally fly with me. During the rescheduled practical, the super did all the work and I just sat there in amazement. It was the best check ride of all. Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe is right, but you better know you stuff and what you can and can’t do. Don’t let the FAA intimidate you. Make sure your homework is complete.

 

[JAFI]

Let me rephrase my last post. With the number of hits on this thread there must be some intrest in what a 709 ride is. I hope Tach32 could say more than "all went well" and describe what "ride" he took. There are very few 709 rides compared to the number of certification events. Maybe his information would be of benefit to the readers.



How about it Tach, care to share your 709 experience with the group?

 

[TurboS7]

I was going to say that there is only one person that knows whether you are competent or not and that person is you. Review your procedures, review your numbers and go knock them dead. Turn your nervousness into aggressiveness. Sounds like you already did that--good job.

 

[logolight]

All the more reason to fight the FAA on matters like this. The FAA administers a 709 ride when they suspect pilot error involved in an incident/accident. The ones who claim no harm in a 709 ride are the ones who didn't have to take one or who's careers are not affected by it. I know two people who have taken the 709's over two years ago. For one, pilot error was in question. But both have had their carrers affected.

If you are only a general aviation pilot then I guess there's no harm in doing it if you feel you should. But some FAA findings are objectionable and you have a right to fight them if you feel you are being wrongly accused.

709 rides were not developed for mechanical failure beyond the pilot's control. Don't let the FAA or anyone tell you otherwise.

I don't mean to sound adamant here but refer to my first post and "Long Time Gone's" post above and you'll get the idea.

 

[bobbysamd]

609 (709) rides

The ones who claim no harm in a 709 ride are the ones who didn't have to take one or who's careers are not affected by it. I know two people who have taken the 709's over two years ago. For one, pilot error was in question. But both have had their carrers affected.

(emphasis added)

Their careers were affected because (1) they had to answer affirmatively application questions about being re-examined for ratings and (2) barring that, the 609 showing up in their FAA airman files. I submit the latter is enough to blight anyone's career. That is enough reason to go to the mat with the FAA on taking the ride.

I go back to my friend the FSS specialist's 609 killing her chances for an ASI job.