I wasted a bunch of time getting ready for them remembering how to fly and calculate pivotal altitude for crap like 8's on pylons.

Rant on:
I understand most of the things that they ask you to do for each license. But I always felt that doing 8's on pylons and chandells was (mostly) stupid - the only thing they really helped me do is more 8's and chandells. I guess you could argue that they demonstrated precise control and understanding through a variety of speeds and conditions.... or some other high flutin' kind of %#$@.

They don't really have much practical use, but they add the third dimension to maneuvers requiring you to divide your attention looking inside and outside and adding energy management into the equation. 8's around pylons are like a 3-dimensional turn around a point, lazy 8's are like 3-dimensional S-turns, and chandelles are, well, I don't know, they are easy and fun.

I changed my address and the FAA sent me a new card with a new issuance date. It confused me and the post card reminders alike

I prefer riding with a DE for renewal. Quickest. For example on one ride, the DE said:
I have to examine all these guys with different GPSs. I don't know how to tell if they are doing
the approach

I had a reissuance once. Learned to never do that again. The DE had a camper with bookcases on every surface. The thing must have weighed 6 tons!

We spent 4 happy hours in there then went flying. The flying was un-remarkable enough that I don't remember what we did.

Find a young DPE to do it in the 500 and you’ll make a friend and an ez ticket.

All set up for Friday. I'm borrowing my dad's A36. Talked about the maneuvers with the DPE. It should be fine. I really believe an instructor shouldn't fly any airplane you aren't capable of instructing in. I instructed in the Eclipse and will feel very comfortable instructing in the Citation (in a year or so after 100 hours) or the Lancair or any other airplane I have more than 100 hours in.

Don't let this happen to you, $600 and a lot of stress.

Instructing in a Citation after 100 hours? I hope you are joking.

I’ve instructed in a Citation and I’m not even typed in it. Ez airplane to fly.

You DO know he's going to bring this up soon and want to borrow the jet. "Son, I need to borrow your jet ... remember when I let you borrow my plane?"

PIVOTAL ALTITUDE DRILL COMES IN HANDY IN THE C-130 GUNSHIP.

Passed the checkride. It was a bit of work but it was fair. The oral was at the DPE's house and the wife made me breakfast; awesome, I don't think that will ever happen again. DPE was awesome and a really neat guy with some cool gliders, a T-6 and a 450HP Stearman.

I'm actually glad this occurred (although I'm not doing this again). I felt like I got value for my fee, learned something and met a nice DPE.

Congratulations!

You DO know he's going to bring this up soon and want to borrow the jet. "Son, I need to borrow your jet ... remember when I let you borrow my plane?"

Solid Michael