author: Nicole J. LeBoeuf

This has nothing to do with writing, but a lot to do with one reason for the deplorable pace of the writing.

Saturday, I passed the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge exam. Not only passed, but aced. Got all 60 questions right. The proctor sort of goggled at the computer screen, then stuck out his hand for me to shake. Every third sentence out of him until I left was "Congratulations." My flight instructor said none of his students has done that well before. So you can imagine how delighted I am. Yeah! Girl power!

The only one not surprised by this outcome is my Mom. As far as she's concerned, it's just one more test, and with few exceptions I've always been an A+ student. I'm glad she wasn't worried. Me, all I have to do is look at the Gleim study guide's chapter on Federal Aviation Regulations to be astounded at how much crap I've managed to cram into my head.

What worries me is, how long can I keep it in there? I don't know whether in two weeks my checkride examiner will take it easy on the oral exam, seeing that 100% score, or whether he'll be suspicious and grill me hard to make sure I didn't cheat! My plan is to keep using the Sporty's "Study Buddy" and practice tests every other day or so until I've pretty much memorized the entire question base.

But it won't take up hours of could-have-been-writing time, at least!