The FAA requires that pilots have what’s known as a biennal flight review, or BFR. Every two years, you have to fly with an instructor, who’s supposed to point out anything you need to work on. Of course, pilots who fly charter, passenger, or cargo flights may have additional “line checks” or other check flights.
To prepare for his checkride, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got his logbook out and made sure all his paperwork was in order. He knew the examiner would examine all his equipment and truly put his flying skills to the test…
The morning of the checkride arrived. The examiner arrived promptly, introduced himself, and started the inquisition with a barrage of questions. Moving to the hangar, the examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and Rudolph’s nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa’s weight and balance calculations for the sled’s enormous payload.
Finally, they were ready for the checkride. Santa got in and fastened his seatbelt and shoulder harness and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa’s surprise, a shotgun.
“What’s that for?!?” asked Santa incredulously.
The examiner winked and said, “I’m not supposed to tell you this ahead of time,” as he leaned over to whisper in Santa’s ear, “but you’re gonna lose an engine on takeoff.”
(hat tip to John at Golf Hotel Whiskey).
Paul's Down-Home Page 