Ask examiner to take controls in real emergency

[polaris746]

Tomorrow is my private pilot checkride, and my DE is a retired continental airlines pilot. In my preflight briefing is it okay to say, "In a real emergency, I would like you to take the controls since you have thousands of hours more experience than I do. I will take care of the radios and assist you in finding a good field."

 

[Black Hawk]

It's a matter of opinion but I'd say that shows a lack of command. Consider something that deals with CRM like " in the event of a real emergency we'll suspend the checkride formality and work together to deal with the situation".

 

[7574EVER]

A lot of that would depend on the examiner themself. I've actually had examiners in the past tell me that I have the controls unless the situation were to become out of control and their intervention became necessary. Remember, they are looking to see if you have grown legs and can stand on your own when they cut you loose into the wild blue yonder.

If you truly felt strongly about the examiner taking the controls from you during an emergency, I would personally advise discussing this with the examiner prior to the flight and feel out him/her. Again, each examiner may feel differently about this particular matter. Some examiners want the preflight breifing to be done as if the examiner were a passenger (which essentially is all that they are.)

Last but not least speak with your instructor. I'm sure that they have delt with your examiner before and may have some incite into how they want things done. DE's are like women (no offense ladies). They all have their intricacies. Something that may "wow" a particular examiner may not make another even turn their head.

The last bit of advise I can give is to not overthink things on the checkride. Give the information they ask for and nothing more, nothing less. Many have impaled themselves by being cocky and trying to show "how much they know". MOST IMPORTANTLY relax and use the checkride as a learning experience. All examiners are highly experienced all have knowledge to share with you.

Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes!!

 

[LittleDeuce]

Private Pilot ride

Tomorrow is my private pilot checkride, and my DE is a retired continental airlines pilot. In my preflight briefing is it okay to say, "In a real emergency, I would like you to take the controls since you have thousands of hours more experience than I do. I will take care of the radios and assist you in finding a good field."

So, if the DPE has to take the controls in a "real emergency" you will get a certificate, a pink one.....

 

[Princedietrich]

An examiner who is truly worth his salt should tell you in the pre-brief something along the lines of "if an actual emergency or mechanical malfunction occurs, we will suspend the checkride and work together to resolve the problem and get ourselves back on the ground safely."

That's the speech I always gave to the fledgeling Starcheckers before we headed out on a 135 ride. If the fecal matter hits the whirling blades while on a checkride and the examiner just sits there with his arms crossed treating it like one of the PTS tasks, then I would have no problems with making him get out and walk.

 

[nosehair]

"Mr. Examiner, Sir, I am the Pilot-in Command of this flight, and you are my first passenger. In the event of an actual emergency, I will execute the emergency procedure in the POH for that emergency. Since you are an experienced pilot in this type of aircraft, I may ask you for assistance as I deem necessary. If you feel you need to take the controls in such an emergency, I expect you to do so with a positive transfer of controls."

Make the Examiner comfortable with your PIC authority.

 

[acaTerry]

Not toooo long ago, here in PHX, a private applicant had an engine failure, kept it all the way to the ground. Got a discontinuance (not failure) slip, and finished the checkride a few days later.