Old ACS specifies "two different types of navigational aids."
New ACS says "two different non-precision approaches"
New ACS says "A non-precision approach is a standard instrument approach procedure to a published minimum descent altitude without
approved vertical guidance."
So an LPV or...
The DPE probably charges about what they could otherwise be making working as a contract pilot in the area. The contract flying would involve less paperwork and frustration.
in this case its important to delineate federal funds and state funds. to be fair quite a lot of the iowa dot grant $'s are going toward hangar construction. they also do a lot of pavement projects and AWOS installation/maintenance...
the letter wasn't friendly. paragraphs about all the penalties i was subject to for not paying them. i'm sure they're good people, they're from Iowa, like me. but they should maybe look at the address of the registered owner before sending their robomail.
i bought an aircraft from Iowa a couple years ago...and last fall started getting threatening letters from the state DOT about paying use tax. I left them a phone message reminding them that they mailed the letter to Kansas, the glider is registered in Kansas and based in Kansas and I live in...
best bet is going to be to reach out to fellow 2-32 operators. Or maybe comb the accident reports and contact people who may have a wreck laying around.
Cost usually tracks with the local contract pilot day rate. Since that's what most of the DPE's could otherwise be doing, with a lot fewer headaches frankly.
I think my low to mid 70's of 2019-2022 was about in line. Here's some data...
https://jasonblair.net/?p=3579
I've heard anecdotes from many DPE's nationwide that the lower pass rate I'm seeing this year is not an anomaly.
I would MUCH rather have someone cancel a couple days ahead of time than take a test knowing they'll probably fail. I can fill in a slot or enjoy a day of glider or balloon flying instead and they and I both don't have to deal with a failure...win win
i basically refuse to book a checkride more than two weeks out, or else i end up booked a month + out. I keep a list about 2 pages in my pocket notebook of names and phone numbers to fill the schedule from.
The system would run a lot more efficiently if people would show up for checkrides...
Parachutes are required in Competition and basically all semi-modern gliders have seatpans that are designed for the pilot to be wearing a parachute.
It was a South African glider that had the rudder cable break on a flight out of Moriarty.
Salt City Aviation is a club at KHUT with a Grumman Yankee and Tiger.
There is also a 152 and a 172 for rent up the road at McPherson.
My glider club south of Hutchinson provides low cost low speed training.
There are many options at different price points in Wichita.