| Route | U42 → Local Practice Area → U42 |
| Total Legs | 1 |
| Passengers | DPE (Practical Exam) |
After the high-intensity experience of the multi-engine commercial checkride a few months earlier, the single-engine commercial add-on was a refreshingly smooth and straightforward affair. Working with the same familiar DPE, we spent more time reviewing endorsements and paperwork than on ground discussion, given the light requirements of an add-on rating.
With three months having passed since my dad’s death, the mental fog had lifted significantly, and the airplane felt like an extension of myself.
We departed South Valley Regional (U42) and headed to the practice area to work through the commercial maneuver set:
Each maneuver flowed naturally, and with the air work wrapped up, the examiner offered a choice between Tooele Valley (KTVY) or staying at South Valley (U42) for pattern work. I chose to stay home at U42.
Entering the pattern at U42, the DPE noted that I needed to complete a normal landing and a power-off 180, leaving the sequence up to me. I elected to do the normal landing first to gauge the ground winds.
Despite the reconnaissance lap, the morning air turned out completely calm. On the power-off 180 attempt, I turned base a little tight for zero wind. Realizing that dumping full flaps now would float us way past the point, I left the flaps retracted and relied on subtle pitch control to maintain glide path without floating.
I buttered the aircraft down right on the thousand-foot aiming marks—at a spicy 90 knots clean.
The DPE simply shrugged, checked off the final box on his evaluation sheet, and we taxied back to the ramp. Having an examiner print out a new temporary airman certificate with pure, non-dramatic routine is the best kind of checkride success!