Re: Checkrides
John Wiley (jwiley_at_mindspring.com)
Fri, 16 Jan 1998 08:43:48 -0500
At 06:21 PM 1/13/98 PST, you wrote:
>
>I got a very interesting call yesterday from one of our new instructor
pilots. He was conducting his very first checkride after the FAA signoff
and he had a difficult situation. The captain upgrading to new equipment
(about 10 years with major airlines) had such a bad case of checkride-itis
that he could not complete the checkride. He was sweating profusely and
shaking. He had not shown any of these symptoms during the training. Of
course, in the end, failing a checkride at that stage of a career does
wonders for a person's confidence and stress-management!!
>
>The instructor asked me if I knew of any research on the issue of
check-ride-itis. The subject is covered superficially in many places, but I
haven't located anything substantial or empirical on the subject. If
anybody can point me in the right direction, I'd like to give this
instructor some feedback.
>
>It's an excellent topic for discussion. I think checkride-itis is not as
uncommon in the airlines as one might believe. One of our 747 Captains told
me that he studies all night before a proficiency check because he can't
sleep. He knows his stuff; the checkride just gives him the Willies. I
personally don't have a problem with pilots who "sweat" checkrides -- I'm
one of them. But there may be those who are impaired by them. I have to
ask the question, "Is there any relationship between response to checkrides
and response to emergency situations in flight?" A tough research design!
Apparently the pilot in question did fine in emergency training in the sim.
But, how will he perform in a REAL emergency? Will it suddenly be a checkride?
>Regards, Guy
>
>Guy M. Smith Ed.D.
>Manager, Applied Human Factors
>Northwest Airlines N7205
>St. Paul, MN 55111-3034
>612-727-4255
>612-727-4434 (Fax)
>guy.smith_at_nwa.com
>
I think the Navy has done quite a bit of study on "failed aviators". I think
I remember that being their term.
There is a real problem once a pilot fails a check ride. First, he becomes
one of "them", that group of "weak sisters" who bust checkrides. That is a
real shocker and there is the very real potential for loss of status within
the pecking order on the flight line. So, it is not only a skill problem,
now doubt sets in along with shame.. shame at failing to meet the standard
we all promote as part of the rituals.
>From what I read quite some time ago, if the bust was really bad, the pilot
*may* have to be worked back up through a series of mini-tests to reinstate
his/her confidence. Without confidence, skill can be easily eroded. One
mistake and the pilot thinks, "Oh God! Not again!" and the ride goes back
down hill again.
A second bust is considered very significant so it is very important to
"heal" the aviator and restore him/her to a level of proficiency and avoid
the second bust.
I know of a guy, a very likeable fellow who just had a very bad day in the
sim. He busted. To show he could recover, he asked to be back in the sim the
next day. The "jump back on the horse" advise did not serve him well and he
fluffed a few items, began thinking it was going to happen again and it was
self fulling prophesy. He busted a second time and it took quite a bit of
time for him to get back on his feet.
The most interesting thing about this whole episode was not his busts, in my
observation. It was the change in his behavior in the crew room. I believe
it was more than a year before the fellow recovered to his former laughing,
easy going self..
>