The Poison Chase by Cap Daniels

Author:Cap Daniels [Daniels, Cap]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-24T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Make It Rain

Having earned my qualification in every aircraft we could find, the time arrived for me to pour myself into the Federal Aviation Regulations, Aeronautical Information Manual, and every other pamphlet, leaflet, or scroll I believed would prepare me for the requisite written and oral exams before I could climb into a cockpit and prove to Chad Quatter that I possessed both the knowledge and skill to turn earthbound souls into aviators.

Clark Johnson, my former tactical partner and current handler, became my oracle during my six days of mind-numbing academics. In total, he and I spent over four hours on the telephone discussing everything from how to properly warm an airplane engine in Alaska to dealing with a student who couldn’t learn to land. I could’ve turned to Jim Douglas, the chief flight instructor, but my pride wanted him to think I’d mastered the academics without guidance.

The big day arrived, and I presented myself and my logbook to the testing center so I could sit for my Fundamentals of Instruction, Flight Instructor, and Instrument Instructor Knowledge exams.

By the time I’d completed all three tests, my brain had become a bowl of mush, and I probably couldn’t spell airplane if my life depended on it. Through the magic of electronic testing, my scores were calculated within seconds of completing the exams. When the numbers were tallied, I incorrectly answered eight questions, leaving my scores for each of the tests in the high nineties. Relieved and pleased with my scores, I dialed Clark’s number to share the good news.

“The written exams are astern, and I scored ninety-five on the instrument exam, ninety-seven on the instructor exam, and ninety-eight on the FOI.”

He let out a sigh of disapproval. “That’s an average score of ninety-six point six. Are you going to be pleased with yourself if only ninety-six point six percent of your students survive flight training?”

“Thanks, Debbie Downer. I was feeling pretty good about myself ’til you rained on my parade. What were your scores?”

Without hesitation, he said, “One hundred percent of my students have survived my training program.”

“That’s not an answer,” I jabbed.

“Sure it is. It’s just not the answer you wanted. Now that the easy part is over, when are you doing your check rides?”

“Tomorrow morning at nine.”

“Be there at eight,” he said. “Examiners like that. Oh, and one more thing . . .”

“What is it?”

“Congrats on the scores. That’s impressive, but study what you missed, because the examiner will beat you over the head with questions about whatever you got wrong.”

My next call was to Jim Douglas. He was less abusive than Clark.

“Great job, kid, but a seventy is as good as a ninety-nine. Just make sure to study what you missed. Chad will sharpen it and stab you with it if you don’t.”

I may have added half a pound of ink to my pilot’s license in the previous weeks, but I was not remotely prepared for the gauntlet that lay before me, separating me from certification as a flight instructor.

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