As of Saturday November 4, 2006 I gained my Private Pilot's license! Here is a photo of me with the examiner, Bob, and my certificate.I flew an hour north at 9 am in the morning to Traverse City in fairly good conditions - no snow, good visibility and light winds.
The first thing that you do on your check ride is go through the aircraft log books and equipment requirements. This is the start of the oral test where the examiner asks you questions about the plane, pilot limitations, weather limitations, map interpretation, and various situations.
If you pass that section, then you get into the plane for the practical part of the test. Here you show you skills in taking off, landing, navigation, stalls, turns and emergency procedures.
I got through the first part of the test with no problem, but the weather had deteriorated over that hour - snow was starting to fall. We checked the visibility and ceilings and could still fly, so we went up and started on the cross country part of the test. After about 10 minutes flying south, the visibility started to fall and we turned back to airport and did some take off and landings. After that we headed to the north and did turns around a point, s-turns, stalls, emergency procedures, and instrument only maneuvers.
Finally after an hour of flying we turned back to the airport and I was given my license! The next problem was getting back home. Visibility had dropped south of Traverse City and snow was falling. The forecast had it clearing up in two hours, so I went to the mall, make some calls home, and had lunch. Sure enough by 3pm it was looking good and I jumped in the plane, gave my thanks to Bob and flew home to celebrate.
