OB438: My Soul is Still on Downwind at Los Gatos
A newly minted instrument-rated pilot shares a deeply personal story of failing his checkride not due to technical flying errors, but because he instinctively climbed back to pattern altitude after breaking out of clouds—just as he’d done in countless practice sessions. The moment, which felt like a natural continuation of his training, violated the strict rules of the test environment where pilots must remain at minimum descent altitude during a circling approach. The hosts, both experienced aviation professionals, dissect the emotional and procedural fallout, highlighting how the 'faking it' nature of checkrides creates a surreal disconnect between simulated and real-world flying. They emphasize that this wasn't the pilot's fault alone—his instructor failed to brief the transition from instrument to VFR traffic, and examiners must clarify expectations upfront. The episode becomes a powerful testament to resilience, with the pilot’s journey of six years, multiple reschedules, and eventual success serving as a beacon for others facing similar setbacks. The hosts also reflect on how this moment mirrors the broader challenges of aviation training: the mental toll, the stigma of failure, and the importance of debriefing and sharing stories to build community and prevent future mistakes.
Climbing back to pattern altitude after breaking out of clouds during a checkride's circling approach is a technical bust, even if it feels natural from practice.
Instructors must explicitly brief the transition from simulated instrument conditions to real-world VFR traffic during checkrides to prevent muscle memory traps.
The 'faking it' nature of checkrides creates a surreal environment where pilots are expected to act normally in a fantasy world, leading to unexpected failures.
Failure on a checkride is not a reflection of ability—many pilots experience it, and sharing stories reduces stigma and builds resilience.
Post-checkride debriefing is essential: reflecting on what went wrong, even if it's not your fault, leads to growth and better future performance.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Checkride Bust That Broke a Soul
“A portion of my soul will be forever in the downwind at that field.”
Why the 'Faking It' Trap Is Real
The hosts unpack the psychological tension of checkrides: pilots are trained to simulate instrument conditions, but when they break out, they’re expected to act like they’re in real VFR traffic—creating a surreal disconnect.
The Instructor’s Blind Spot
The hosts argue that the real failure wasn’t the pilot’s—it was the lack of briefing. If examiners or instructors don’t clarify the transition from instrument to VFR, pilots will default to muscle memory.
The Power of Sharing Failure
The episode shifts to a broader conversation about the stigma of checkride busts. The hosts emphasize that sharing stories reduces shame and helps others avoid the same trap.
The Helicopter Mix-Up That Changed a Pilot
A hilarious and cautionary tale of a new helicopter pilot who flew into the wrong airport—Strollhagen—because he didn’t know the name. The story underscores how disorienting low-level night flying can be.
“A portion of my soul will be forever in the downwind at that field.”
“You take off in a Skyhawk and declare an emergency because we're single engine. And you want to continue? Yeah, I just want you to know. I'm in a constant state of emergency, I think is what you said.”
“I think it was a little bit of a trap. I'm hoping that the instructor adjusted the way that they explain this to you because sometimes what happens in instructor world is you lose sight of the fact that you're in fantasy land”
Hosts
Guests
Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk
media
Juliet Romeo
person
Alpha Mike
person
Mars Cheese Castle Delta
other
Strollhagen Airport
other
Sierra Sierra
person
Delta Lima Yankee
person
FAA
organization
PilotEdge.net
product
Penguin Airlines
organization
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