Problems passing a 135 initial check?

[ProPilot5]

Wondered if anyone had an problem getting past an initial 135 checkride? I know they can work with you on the ride but has anyone been busted maybe by disgruntled, stuck in an unwanted position too long, check air-man?

Particulary interested in Ameriflight, AirNet etc. type cargo ops, but will take stories on other companys.

Do you get the option to change the examiner for a check, or just the option not to work for them?

Thanks.

 

[fraitman]

Flyboy2,

good question. At Ameriflight, failed checkrides are few and far between. The company is generous with training, and the training captains reputation and professional standing depend on that the trainee is properly prepared for the checkride. The training captain actually recommends the trainee. They don't recommend them unless they think they are ready. You will be well trained, the checkride usually is somewhat routine, almost a non-event. The other factor is that you can re-test during a checkride. On my first checkride, I was nervous, and blew my first approach. So I was allowed to redo it, and did fine the second time and the rest of the ride. So unlike an FAA checkride where they can't retest, I passed the ride.

After a while as a line pilot, you do so many checkrides that it is no big deal. You always want to prepare and take it seriously, but you will be confident and not have a problem. All the check airmen I have flown with or heard about have been very fair. If they weren't, they wouldn't be tolerated and they would not be allowed to give checkrides.

But I don't want to mislead you, if you make major mistakes and the trend of the checkride is bad, that is an unsatisfactory checkride. Then they'll give you re-training and another chance. If that doesn't work out, well, you probably weren't ready for the job anyway. Again, fairly rare. If you don't think you are ready for the checkride when they schedule you, then just speak up.

The interviews right now are tough and they are very selective given the large number of applicants and few positions available. So if you get hired, you probably have good skill and knowledge and operate cool under pressure, so you shouldn't have a worry.

 

[upndsky]

I concur with the above poster. Where I fly, very few fail their initial checkride (I'd say less than 2%). However, depending on the calliber of the class, there can be quiet a few washouts during training. It's not uncommon to begin a class of four and have only one finish. This has been especially true the last couple of years when we would hire unknowns off the street. But now we're relying more on internal recommendations, so I expect the pass rate during training to go up.

We fly light twins and singles and hire almost exclusively former flight instructors. The reason most fail is lack of actual instrument experience and adjusting to flying in weather that's down to minimums. Throw in the fact that they're now flying a plane that slightly bigger and faster and they can get behind very quickly. Many realize on their own that they are in over their heads and leave voluntarily. Others are encouraged to get more experience and come back another time. Typically this happens early on in the training. It's unfair to waste the time and resources of the new-hire and the company if there is little chance they'll make it without a lot of extra training. If someone leaves during training we usually leave the door open for them to come at a later time. That is, if they have a good attitude and personality.

What's also unique about Part 135 training is that the check airman can officially stop the check ride, give instruction, and then resume the check ride. So if your instructor neglected to cover something during your training, your not necessarily up the creek (although your instructor may be).

Just remember this during any check ride you take. Unless your examiner is a complete pr1ck, all they really want to know is if you're going to kill or violate yourself out there. They know that the finess and speed will come with experience. In other words, don't do anything boneheaded and you should do fine.

 

[AZaviator]

Flyboy2

I actually took a 135 Checkride with Ameriflight a little over a week ago. Overall it was a breeze. I can say I passed it with flying colors due to the excellent training Captain I had. He over prepared me for the checkride. After the checkride, I was surprised how easy and simple it was, compared to training my training captain did with me.

The checkride consisted of about a one hour oral mainly over 135 regs and aircraft systems. Very simple stuff. As for the flight, it consisted of a VOR partial panel, ILS, and a Localizer circle to land. We also did a few VFR maneuvars such as steep turns, stalls, and engine failure. The check airman I had was super cool and very laid back. It was a very stree free flight, since I felt very prepared for it. Its nothing like an FAA checkride.

As previously posted here, they aren't out to fail you. In fact, they are out to pass you, however, if you can't demonstrate the skills of being a competent pilot in single pilot IFR, they can and will fail you, but those instances seem to be few and far between.
Plus, they wouldn't have hired you if they felt you couldn't pass.

HOpe this info helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

 

[fraitman]

The above posts are right on the money. What upndsky writes is just like Ameriflight. The wash-out rate is very low, much lower than it used to be. During the big industry expansion, they were hiring many pilots, some of them were unprepared and didn't have very good skills. Many of them took an exceptional amount of time to train, the company did everything they could not to wash them out, they didn't give up easy. They needed the pilots. But some they had to give up on, there was no hope. Nowadays, almost everyone is going through training on schedule, very few problems. Marginal pilots that would have been hired back a year or so ago would not be hired now. They weren't doing simulator checks on the interview for awhile, and now they do.

In general, most Part 135 operaters are flexible with their training schedules. I hear many more stories from 121 airline trainees getting washed out, even though they might have just needed a little extra training time and they would have been good line pilots. But I don't blame 121 operators for having higher expectations, they should. 135 operators are used to hiring flight instructors with little practical experience, thus they set themselves up to be more flexible and patient with individual progresss of the trainee. As long as the trainee has a good attitude and is trying their best.

 

[bandit110]

Flyboy2

We also did a few VFR maneuvars such as steep turns, stalls, and engine failure.


I want to work where you do if your engines only fail in VFR.

I agree with the other responses. Our Check-Airman told me that he doesn't want a failed check ride here to follow a good employee for the next few years. We train till the ride is a non event.

 

[Frac Daddy]

Flyboy2,

I flew for one of Ameriflight's competitors. In my opinion, if you can pass an instrument checkride, you can pass your 135 ride. There are people out there with lousy insturment skills and they do wash out. Good luck.

FD