Do I need to have my hand in the throttle all times for FAA checkride?

Question

I am almost to Solo. I am having a very hard time on my landings and I find very easy to land having my two hands in the gear but my instructor keep telling me that I need to have one hand all the time in the throttle because of emergencies etc. I wonder if I do need to have this hand in the throttle all the time in my faa checkride or I wont pass the checkride? Using one hand in the gear make me shake the plane everywhere when I am about to land and make harder for me to level the plane in the final stage of the landing.

Answer 1

No.



Airplane Flying Handbook, issued by FAA, states - 'it is ◦recommended◦ (so, not an obligation, although FAA's "recommendations" often mean something you should definitely do in practice. Funny things I hear.) that the student pilot form the habit of keeping one hand on the throttle throughout the approach and landing, should a sudden and unexpected hazardous situation (excessive rate of sink or a stall) require an immediate application of power.'



First few lessons I've had with an instructor were exactly that, forming a habit. He had no issues pulling my hand and placing it on the throttle no matter how many times. Your instructor should be doing the same thing.



Do not think "oh well nothing is going to happen to me". WRONG. Expect everything that can go wrong to go wrong (and the Murphy's law tells us you will be soloing when bad things happen), and when it does go wrong, you don't need seconds, you need an instantaneous reaction. Preparation and awareness at all times, expect the unexpected. No matter if student or ATP.



If controlling the airplane with one hand is an issue for you, find some techniques that could help you. Configure your airplane properly. Heck ask your instructor, you're paying him big bucks. Remember, no one can force you to go solo. Nor you should compete with national average. Take your time, be comfortable.



I might seem harsh a little bit but I want you to learn it the proper way, right at the beginning. Speaking of learning, I recommend you some reading of FAA issued handbooks - can be found on their website, downloadable for free.

Answer 2

As an instructor, I try to instil habits in students that after several hours of training,they dont have to think about it.



Hand on the throttle on takeoff and landings at all times. This is not a hard rule, as you may have to take it off to change radios, gear up, flaps, etc, but its developing the habit. Kinda like putting your seatbelt on when you drive.



During a checkride, the DME wants to see controled, safe flying within the requirements of the PTS. No where in there is a requirement for the hand on the throttle. As for the landings, it pratice, and looking down the runway. Speed and approach is key.

Answer 3

Not only will your examiner not like it if you don't have your hand on the throttle, but it would be downright stupid. While you're learning, you have to break bad habits before they begin, and start good ones. I agree with you, it's much easier to land with both hands on the yoke, but what happens when all the sudden, DAMN! the runway's that far away?? I need power! uh... uh.... *freeze*. boom. You say, "that would never happen to me, I'm a good pilot, I can easily put my hand right to the throttle when I have to" but in all truth, you don't know how you will react. The #1 reason pilots die is because when faced with a situation where evasive action is needed, they freeze. Airline pilots with 10,000 hours of flight time even land with their hands on the throttle. If you don't learn to look ahead and plan for what just might happen, and be ready for it, and develop those good habits, you may end up dead. It's that serious. Remember, everything in an airplane is supposed to be smooth and gentle, so focus on that when you're landing, not on where your right hand is. Focus on your left hand, and if you still start shaking, go up at altitude, get into slow flight, and practice some shallow turns, climbs, descents, etc. at 10 kts above V-SO. Spend a lot of time on it, it could be more helpful than you think. Also, talk to your instructor about it. You are paying him/her to teach you how to fly, you shouldn't be afraid to ask him/her for advice. That's what they are there for, and like they said when you first started learning, no question is ever a stupid question. And even if it is one, it's what you're paying 30-50 bucks an hour for, so they'd answer it either way ;)

Answer 4

You MAY be "almost ready to solo" but you're a long way from completing your training and by the time you ARE ready, you'll have a lot more confidence built up in your abilities. Do what your instructor tells you and you will pass the checkride when the time comes.

Answer 5

You have your hand on the throttle when you need to.



This includes during landing: if you need power to go around you need it *now*, and can't risk not getting it right.



Learn it right and it will become second nature.

Answer 6

Sounds to me like you are not trimming the airplane properly.