Ray Collins This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Can I learn to fly in a flight sim?

   www.migman.com/beginners/chino - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/30/2002   Last Visited: 2/19/2004

   I scheduled it with Ray Collins, a captain for Continental Airlines. There wasn't too much information on what he was like since most students at Amity flew their check rides with a different DE up at MHT. But I figured, if I'm ready, I'm ready for anyone, and I wanted to get it done while I was "fresh" from my practice flights and before a planned trip to Germany
   
   . Ray wanted me to meet him at North Central Rhode Island Airport (SFZ), so I flew down there a couple of times in the days before to check out the area and get used to landing there in gusty spring-weather conditions. He assigned a cross-country to plan (SFZ to Lebanon, NH), and May 14 was to be the day. "

2. 2. Pagea4Checkrides

   whitts.alioth.net/Pagea4Checkr - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/28/2001   Last Visited: 7/19/2006

   My instructor recommended Ray Collins as the right DE. He is a Delta captain and frequent examiner with a reputation of being rigorous but fair. His fee was $200.
   ...
   Collins." I had my biplane tie and tie-tack on again with khakis and penny loafers - I was trying to look like I'd dressed up a bit for the occasion, but without overdoing it. I think it helped some. He had on slacks and a flannel shirt, no tie.
   
   He was very businesslike, and was not trying to make a friend of me. He asked for the paperwork, which I was able to lay out before him handily due to having gone through the PTS checklist in advance. That was a plus I'd say. He looked it over, did not pause over the 97 score on my written (I was a bit in fear that I'd get extra grilling because of that) and quickly filled in a couple boxes on the 8710. Then he told me the basic outline would be review of paperwork, logbook, mx logs, xc plan, W&B, oral exam and then flying.
   
   He then went through my logbook, apologizing for how long it would take and mildly complaining that this was the hardest part of his job. We spent about 10 minutes of silence while he did this, but fortunately I had everything done and totaled, so there was no issue.
   
   Then we went over the mx logs, and he actually read most of the annual notes. He lectured me that despite looking at the logs, it's very hard for a renter pilot to really know that the plane is legal. You must rely upon the competence of the FBO, but should not take that for granted. You need to assure yourself the FBO is good, and he noted that fortunately, EFA is.

3. 3. Pagea52Checkrides

   www.whittsflying.com/Pagea52Ch - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/29/2001   Last Visited: 5/29/2003

   My instructor recommended Ray Collins as the right DE. He is a Delta captain and frequent examiner with a reputation of being rigorous but fair. His fee was $200.
   ...
   Collins." I had my biplane tie and tie-tack on again with khakis and penny loafers - I was trying to look like I'd dressed up a bit for the occasion, but without overdoing it. I think it helped some. He had on slacks and a flannel shirt, no tie.
   
   He was very businesslike, and was not trying to make a friend of me. He asked for the paperwork, which I was able to lay out before him handily due to having gone through the PTS checklist in advance. That was a plus I'd say. He looked it over, did not pause over the 97 score on my written (I was a bit in fear that I'd get extra grilling because of that) and quickly filled in a couple boxes on the 8710. Then he told me the basic outline would be review of paperwork, logbook, mx logs, xc plan, W&B, oral exam and then flying.
   
   He then went through my logbook, apologizing for how long it would take and mildly complaining that this was the hardest part of his job. We spent about 10 minutes of silence while he did this, but fortunately I had everything done and totaled, so there was no issue.
   
   Then we went over the mx logs, and he actually read most of the annual notes. He lectured me that despite looking at the logs, it's very hard for a renter pilot to really know that the plane is legal. You must rely upon the competence of the FBO, but should not take that for granted. You need to assure yourself the FBO is good, and he noted that fortunately, EFA is.