All Posts Flight Training

Road to the Right Seat 23 – Commercial Pilot

2k views | By Bob Geuens | Last updated on June 19, 2022

This post is part of the story series Road to the Right Seat.

We've all had a crazy childhood dream and mine was becoming an airline pilot. Many young people who aspire a flying career are unaware of the content of flight training and the preparations which are needed. On November 23rd, 2015 I started my ATPL(A) training. Time to realize my childhood dream. I'd like to take you along on an adventure and I'll happily answer all your questions on the way. Let's do this!

View all stories in this series

Nov 23, 2016 – The CPL Skill Test: the last and most important test we have to face here in Arizona. After four months and two days, it was my turn to show what I’ve learned in the past 90 flights. Another day I will never forget. I left sunny Arizona for grey and rainy Belgium, but boy I’m happy to be home again!

CPL

The CPL Skill Test is divided into three different parts: a written exam, the partial panel test in a simulator and the check flight in a Piper Seminole.

The written exam consisted of 40 questions about Principles of Flight, Performance, Flight Planning and some more specific questions about the Seminole. The theory we studied in Brussels is and remains very important! Not too difficult, but we’re getting closer to passing the CPL exam!

I took the partial panel test on November 13. The test checked my knowledge of flying with basic instruments. No fancy glass cockpit with an overload of information, but simple analogue instruments you can hardly call accurate. 

During the simulator session, we had to execute precise turns using only a standard compass. Depending on your location on earth (northern or southern hemisphere), you will have to make certain corrections. Undershoot North, Overshoot South. If you want to learn more about the so-called Compass Errors, click here.

Furthermore, we were asked to switch off the engine in-flight and restart it again. This is rather a matter of using the correct checklist and knowing which parameters you should keep an eye on. In addition to that, there were also the unusual attitudes. The flight examiner will bring the airplane in an unusual position which you will then have to recover from.

Bob Geuens ATPL flight training blog - Road to the Right Seat

The real check flight took place on Wednesday, November 16. As usual, first some theory and then flying. The theoretical part was mostly a summary of the first three tests so not too many questions about that. We discussed the upcoming flight, after which I needed to prepare and give a briefing about the meteo, navigation and the airplane. 

… Breath in, breath out… Let’s do this!

The flight began with the navigation, but it was soon interrupted with a diversion. I had to divert to a small airport in the desert. Fortunately, that went smoothly and soon we could start maneuvering. Some climbing, descending and turning using only the instruments followed by steep turns and stalls with visual reference.

We simulated an engine fire with the engine completely turned off and started diving nose down to simulate extinguishing the fire. I flew to Goodyear where I made some landings. A standard landing, one without flaps and then a simulated engine failure after where I had to land with only one engine. On the way to Falcon Field, I had to answer some questions about VORs and NDBs and then it was time for my last landing.

The flight took just over two hours and I had a good feeling. Some little mistakes, but the examiner was more than happy and finally gave me the good news. I passed the CPL Skill Test!

I still had to do the Upset & Recovery training before I could go home. Two very fun and rewarding experiences you will read more about in the next blog post!


If you have any further questions about my training, feel free to leave a comment below. See you next week!

This post is part of the story series Road to the Right Seat.

We've all had a crazy childhood dream and mine was becoming an airline pilot. Many young people who aspire a flying career are unaware of the content of flight training and the preparations which are needed. On November 23rd, 2015 I started my ATPL(A) training. Time to realize my childhood dream. I'd like to take you along on an adventure and I'll happily answer all your questions on the way. Let's do this!

View all stories in this series

Previous post in this series:

Next post in this series:

Life on the Right Seat

2.1k views | By bob

Related articles worth reading

Getting Your Private Pilot License – How Much Does it Cost?

Getting Your Private Pilot License – How Much Does it Cost?

Learning to fly isn’t cheap – unfortunately. If you want to belong to the happy few who have...

Getting Your Private Pilot License – Checkride Day!

Getting Your Private Pilot License – Checkride Day!

March 31st. Checkride Day. The past 9,5 months I have been working towards this moment. The written test...

Getting Your Private Pilot License – The Written Test

Getting Your Private Pilot License – The Written Test

After all the studying, it was finally time to take the PPL(A) written test. As I explained in...

Getting Your Private Pilot License – 150 NM Solo Cross-Country

Getting Your Private Pilot License – 150 NM Solo Cross-Country

The past few weekends were filled with nothing but fog, low clouds and rain. Not the kind of weather I...

Bob Geuens

About the author

Bob Geuens

Hello there! My name is Bob Geuens and I'm a 22-year old pilot from Belgium. I'm currently flying the B737-7/8/900 for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, based in Amsterdam. Feel free to read all about my road to the right seat in the 'Series' section of the website. Happy landings and blue skies!

More articles by Bob

FREE eBook: 37 Tips to Help You Save Over 30% on Your Private Pilot Flight Training