Check rides in experimental aircraft

[AlphaPilotFlyer]

I had some questions about check rides in my experimental C172 about finding DPEs to do check rides in it. Had both commercial and private training and check rides in it but the DPEs retired. Recently loaned it to a friend for his commercial pilot training but discovered the DPEs retired and had to call around to find one willing to do the ride in my experimental. After a few calls, found 3-4 willing and even wanting to do it after asking some questions about the plane and reading POH supplement.

My friend passed his comm ride today and scheduled for his CFI initial ride in it next month….. this will be first CFI ride in it (used it for CFI training in past but not check rides as fewer DPEs can do initial and local didn’t want experimentals).

If anyone is having issue finding a DPE for experimentals, I would suggest emailing 3-4 in area with some info on your aircraft. A few that were not comfy with experimentals referred me to DPEs that were. They are out there.

 

[Noah Lorang]

I also had a surprisingly easy time finding a DPE to do a checkride in an experimental (RV-9A) for my instrument ride. Of the five that I contacted, three were willing to do it off the bat, the fourth asked to see logs and then said yes immediately, and the fifth was generally willing but was relatively new and wanted to check w/ his FSDO overseer before saying yes.

Of course, four of the five were booked out for months in advance to the point of being impossible to schedule, but at least the experimental part was no problem.

 

[AlphaPilotFlyer]

yeah, just finding a DPE is tough part. Around here it takes months to schedule. last few times friends had to fly about 4-5 hours for checkride....it was costing them about extra $1500 for rental c172 and they were running low on funds ...I let them use my c172 exp which only cost about $20 hour to fly which made it cheaper but still don't think you should travel far for a check ride in a reasonable time frame. Doesn't look as it's going to change anytime soon.

 

[Daleandee]

Many years ago I did my check ride in an experimental and most of my flight reviews have been done in my experimental. I did have one DPE that used to come around as we built my plane. He admired the build, commented on how great it sounded, and how well it appeared to fly (and has seen it over many years) yet he hasn't ever flown in any experimental that I'm aware of. I would never fault him for that as that is his decision.

Truth is, I've seen a number of experimental aircraft that I would never get into ... and a number of certified planes too. I'm guessing that most of you that have been flying for a number of years have witnessed some of the closed door hangar work that happens on certified aircraft ...

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Truth is, I've seen a number of experimental aircraft that I would never get into ... and a number of certified planes too.

My father (WW-II era Army Air Corps crew chief) shared a hangar with a buddy (Mack) that ran a one airplane flight school. When my sister decided to get a certificate he said that she could get instruction from Mack, but she couldn't fly in Mack's 150 because he had seen the kind of work that Mack's A&P did.

 

[Daleandee]

My father (WW-II era Army Air Corps crew chief) shared a hangar with a buddy (Mack) that ran a one airplane flight school. When my sister decided to get a certificate he said that she could get instruction from Mack, but she couldn't fly in Mack's 150 because he had seen the kind of work that Mack's A&P did.

A friend that shares a hangar with me has said numerous times, "you're a good pilot, you can fly my plane anytime." I told him that I couldn't fly his plane because I've watched him work on it. He just laughs it off ...

 

[AlphaPilotFlyer]

yeah ...most asked how I got a c172 in experimtal and asked if there was any documentation.... we have a detailed POH supplement manual when going thru FAA process and sent them a copy and all were satisfied and used the systems section to ask a few questions in oral. . other than that, normal ride. ..

frankly. I'd be more concerned about flying in some of the old certified planes I've seen. There is a rental club that some DPEs won't fly in their fleet, certified or not.