Wanda Charity Collins DPE Checkride Gouges

As of this writing, only one report is on file for Wanda Collins, and it covers an instrument rating checkride. The pilot started by pulling up a flight plan to KSAT. She wanted the reasoning behind the fuel he brought and the cruise elevation he chose. She also asked him to explain nav log terms, such as the difference between heading and course.

Alternates came up next. She asked why he picked his alternate, then when an alternate is required and what weather minimums make an airport legal. The conversation moved to a convective sigmet appearing right before departure and an icing airmet. She pressed on whether and when you may fly through known icing. From there she asked what you need to fly in IMC at all, and the pilot answered with the RAMP checklist plus an instrument rating.

Instrument currency got real attention. She made sure he knew the 6 to 12 month and past 12 month rules, including using a simulator or flying six approaches in actual with a CFII. She then worked the IFR low chart, asking him to identify a VOR as high or low, a compulsory reporting point, an OROCA, and an MEA. She asked why we still have VORs. Mandatory reports followed, including what to report entering a hold and whether you still report fixes when ATC assigns a different one.

The pilot briefed three approaches and answered questions on each. She covered the RNAV LPV at KUTS, including what LPV means, the VOR-A at KUTS and why it is a circling minimum with no TDZE, and the RNAV at 51R with a circle to land decision based on wind.

On the flight he flew a DME arc to the VOR at KUTS, went missed, and flew a timed hold. He then shot the LPV into KUTS and went missed to a hold. She took the controls and ran one unusual attitude.