Question: The flight school I attend uses a particular Designated Pilot Examiner for the private pilot through commercial check rides. I wanted to go with another DPE who was recommended by a friend but was told that wasn’t possible, as the flight school only uses a particular DPE. Is it common for schools without examining authority to tailor students’ flight training to the testing style for preferred DPEs?
Answer: According to the FAA, “[agency] regulations are not designed to tailor flight training to a preferred DPE’s testing style. It is essential for pilot schools to ensure that students receive comprehensive training that meets or exceeds the applicable FAA ACS/PTS standards, aeronautical knowledge, flight proficiency, and aeronautical experience, and that best prepares them for safe flying beyond just passing the practical test.”
- READ MORE: How to Reframe Learning for Private Pilot Ground School
- READ MORE: What Can You Do When You’re a Pilot Without a Logbook?
The FAA notes that examining authority and using a DPE are different methods of airmen certification, as a flight school might pursue examining authority for efficiency and expediency of testing. As the goal of flight training is to achieve certification, it’s a bad deal when applicants have to wait weeks for a check ride, potentially facing a degradation in skills that might result in a failed test. Examining authority can help assuage this delay and skill fade.
“The FAA must approve tests that pilot schools administer, and the tests must be at least equal in scope, depth, and difficulty to the comparable practical tests that the FAA prescribes,” the agency notes.
Ask us anything you’ve ever wanted to know about aviation. Our experts in general aviation, flight training, aircraft, avionics, and more may attempt to answer in a future article. Email your questions to editorial@flyingmag.com.
