Salem check ride, new to the area
Posted by Big-Basket-7047@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 7 comments
I’m a pilot taking a commercial checkride at KSLE (Salem, OR) this Wednesday first time flying into Salem.
(I fly into independence regularly)
Anyone familiar with McNary Field have tips on:
• Common practice areas DPEs use
• Tower quirks or local procedures
• Airspace gotchas or traffic flow
• Anything you wish you knew before your checkride there?
Coming from out of the area so just trying to be prepared. Thanks!
Big-Basket-7047@reddit (OP)
I passed! Thanks for all the tips, especially with the runways even the air traffic controller at one point cleared me for the wrong runway so I see how it can be confusing. Other than that. Chek ride was uneventful.
acfoltzer@reddit
If they're landing north, be aware of the rising terrain under your base/final. If you're not used to seeing that, you might end up high and giving yourself energy management headaches.
Agreed with other comments about the potential for runway confusion and the very nice ATC folks. If you've been flying to 7S5 but not SLE, you've been missing out on one of the most chill and pleasant towered experiences around.
ltcterry@reddit
As a pilot you’ll get comfortable going to stranger/new airports. But your practical test is not the time to count on it.
Go for a practice run. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
Oregon-Pilot@reddit
Funny as it sounds, runways 31, 13, and 34 have the potential to wreak havoc in our human minds. The 3 and 1 (31/13) can screw you up if you’re not careful, especially if you’re nervous and focused on checkride stuff. Other than the runway numbers, I don’t think there are any gotchas.
Fun seeing someone else with experience at Independence. I did about 40 hours in the EAA simulator over there. Other than that, I instructed in Lebanon, Albany, and Eugene, but didn’t do too much in SLE. You have the advantage of the field being towered, so you can always ask them any clarifying questions over the radio if you need to.
Good luck!
MLZ005@reddit
Don’t confuse RWY 13 and 16 (and opposite) because they’re close together and make sure you’re on the correct downside for the expected runway
ReadyplayerParzival1@reddit
If you can go up with a local cfi to just get familiarized. Commercial is so much looking outside and knowing your surroundings.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I’m a pilot taking a commercial checkride at KSLE (Salem, OR) this Wednesday first time flying into Salem.
(I fly into independence regularly)
Anyone familiar with McNary Field have tips on:
• Common practice areas DPEs use
• Tower quirks or local procedures
• Airspace gotchas or traffic flow
• Anything you wish you knew before your checkride there?
Coming from out of the area so just trying to be prepared. Thanks!
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