Bouncing Back: What My RePL Test Taught Me
Fail Hard, Learn Fast
As I navigate the challenges of my Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) journey, I want to ask: What setbacks have you faced recently, and what did they teach you? Reflecting on our experiences can offer insights and pave the way for growth.
I didn’t pass my first test, mainly because I felt unprepared, stressed, and overloaded with information. Trying to learn everything in a week was tough, especially as the content was detailed and complex. With no prior hands-on experience, I struggled to absorb it all within that short timeframe.
But this turned out to be a valuable learning experience. It highlighted exactly where I needed to focus and allowed me to zero in on areas that needed more attention. I realised I could now dedicate time to smashing through practice tests without the stress of missing crucial modules. This approach enabled me to identify gaps in my knowledge, target them specifically, and work on improving.
How do you handle setbacks? Do you use them to pivot and adapt your approach, or do you power through until the challenge is met? It’s a question worth thinking about.
After failing my RePL and Remote Operator Certificate test, I was disappointed and angry at myself. Yet, I knew deep down I simply wasn’t ready for it. I took a moment to thank my trainer and classmates for the week we had spent together learning and flying drones, and I made sure to ask my instructor how I could raise my marks to reach the required 98% for the second test and 85% for the first.
Taking three days off to regroup my thoughts gave me time to recalibrate and refocus. Slowing down helped me explore what I needed to refine before retaking the test on the following Friday. That Tuesday, after a gym session, I sat down and began reviewing Meteorology, Air Publications, Aviation Law, and Electrical Systems, taking practice tests through Global Drone Solutions’ online portal to improve my understanding of the questions.
By Friday morning I felt determined I woke up at 6:00 am to review my student manual, keeping the content fresh before tackling the long exam. Despite nerves and feeling overwhelmed, I knew I had to stay calm and make sure I answered each question correctly, minimising mistakes to pass.
When faced with a challenge, how do you stay focused and ensure you’re fully prepared? These moments of reflection can shape our learning journey.
In the end, this experience reminded me that setbacks can become stepping stones if we choose to view them that way. Each time we face setbacks, it’s crucial to pause and ask ourselves what can be learned and improved upon. Taking time to regroup and focus on areas of weakness makes the overall goal more attainable.
Every challenge presents an opportunity to grow. What will your next step be? Let’s share our experiences and support each other!
If you’ve faced similar situations or have your own stories to share, I’d love to hear from you.
Graduate With my Remote Pilot License & Remote Operators Certificate
I would love for you to answer these questions;
What’s one setback you’ve faced recently, and what valuable lesson did it teach you?
How do you typically handle failure or setbacks—do you take time to reflect, or do you jump straight into solving the issue?
Have you ever had a moment where failing something actually benefited you in the long run? How did it change your perspective?
When facing a difficult challenge, what strategies do you use to stay motivated and maintain your focus?
Do you have a process for identifying your areas of weakness? If so, how do you work on improving them?
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone feeling overwhelmed by an upcoming exam or project?
Can you recall a time when regrouping and taking a break helped you achieve a better outcome? How did it help?
Do you view setbacks as opportunities for growth, or do they feel more like obstacles? How do you shift your mindset?
What was the last big challenge you tackled, and what did you do differently the second time around to succeed?
If you had to teach someone about overcoming setbacks, what three things would you focus on?
😊
I promise I don’t bite.
Aydin Xx
Copyright © 2024 Aydin Hutchison