Scheduling the DPE/checkride

[jFlight]

2+ weeks out? During the workday?

Should I not be unhappy? Because I am.

 

[ja_user]

2+ weeks out? During the workday?

Should I not be unhappy? Because I am.

It isn't that uncommon.. Some DPE's are easier to schedule than others. Where are you located?

 

[jpower]

Don't be mad. I had to wait 3 weeks for mine. Then I got sick and had to wait another 2.

 

[ainokea]

I had my checkride last Friday. I scheduled it 2 weeks in advance. Gave me some time to casually study for the oral and practice some maneuvers.

 

[dweyant]

When I first called to schedule my check ride the DPE's wife said he was booked solid for four weeks.

I asked her if she could please try to get me in sooner. He was able to call me back the next day and find a morning spot that was only two weeks out.

-Dan

 

[TMetzinger]

Your CFI should have done a better job of setting your expectations. DPEs are frequently booked weeks in advance.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Take advantage of the time. Practice maneuvers and specialty landings. Spend time preparing for the oral.

Best of luck. I'm sure you'll do well.

 

[DaleB]

Take advantage of the time. Practice maneuvers and specialty landings. Spend time preparing for the oral.

Look at it this way. Certificate or not, all the hours "count". It's all experience, and it all goes toward your total time -- where that matters, like insurance and whatever. So, if the DPE can't get you in for 2-3 weeks, so be it. All the more time to do power on stalls and steep turns, practice short and soft field takeoffs and landings, and in general make sure the DPE starts wondering halfway through the ride why he's even there, since you know how to fly so well.

 

[MAKG1]

It's great you're ready for it. You can try to find another DPE, but I'd suggest a few weeks of patience.

In the meantime, get some extra practice. It won't hurt.

 

[poadeleted20]

One of the biggest headaches for the instructor in a 10-day IR course is scheduling the practical test with only a week of lead time. We have to be very flexible, and may need to book with an examiner 100 miles away, and we make use of our company's data base on examiners to be prepared for their quirks.

On a side note, it's interesting that on one hand there is a lot of concern that few people are learning to fly, but on the other hand, it's very hard to book an examiner.

 

[jesse]

On a side note, it's interesting that on one hand there is a lot of concern that few people are learning to fly, but on the other hand, it's very hard to book an examiner.

Which is probably because the examiner's are making a living via another means and as a result have limited availability.

The examiner I generally use is a United domestic pilot and his schedule is pretty odd. It can take a day or two to even get a response from him and the checkride is typically another week or two out from there. It's not uncommon for him to call last minute and have to cancel, such is life. The good news is that the examiner can TEXT MESSAGE which makes things so much easier.

 

[jconway2002]

Not to hijack your thread, but your post made me think of something. I am close to finishing up all my requirements. After this weekend, a night XC will be all that is left for the MINIMUM requirements. I am just curious...if it takes an average of two weeks to schedule a DPE, should I make the call once my requirements are met, and use the two weeks to prep? Or should I prep, and make the call once I feel confident, and then have two weeks of waiting?

 

[ChrisK]

Not to hijack your thread, but your post made me think of something. I am close to finishing up all my requirements. After this weekend, a night XC will be all that is left for the MINIMUM requirements. I am just curious...if it takes an average of two weeks to schedule a DPE, should I make the call once my requirements are met, and use the two weeks to prep? Or should I prep, and make the call once I feel confident, and then have two weeks of waiting?

You have to spend some time with your CFI that is specific to preparing for both the oral and practical portions of the examination, and such has to be noted in your logbook. Other than that, in my opinion only you and your CFI together can answer that

 

[ja_user]

The DPE's that I know of around here still fly Charter, makes for an interesting scheduling experience. (You may call and be on a ride in 12 hours, or more likely 1-2 weeks.)

 

[jconway2002]

You have to spend some time with your CFI that is specific to preparing for both the oral and practical portions of the examination, and such has to be noted in your logbook. Other than that, in my opinion only you and your CFI together can answer that

I pretty much knew this was the answer...ha...I dont know why I ask these questions sometimes? Just like hearing my own voice I guess.

 

[NineThreeKilo]

Just reset for when it works for you, good god man, you're paying this DPE 500 bucks for a hour to so of his time, you pick the time.

 

[poadeleted20]

Which is probably because the examiner's are making a living via another means and as a result have limited availability.

That's always been an FAA requirement for DPE's, and has always been an issue even back in the 70's after the FAA originally stopped doing any but CFI rides.

 

[poadeleted20]

Not to hijack your thread, but your post made me think of something. I am close to finishing up all my requirements. After this weekend, a night XC will be all that is left for the MINIMUM requirements. I am just curious...if it takes an average of two weeks to schedule a DPE, should I make the call once my requirements are met, and use the two weeks to prep? Or should I prep, and make the call once I feel confident, and then have two weeks of waiting?

Discuss this with your instructor.

 

[poadeleted20]

Just reset for when it works for you, good god man, you're paying this DPE 500 bucks for a hour to so of his time, you pick the time.

First, $350-400 is more the national average for an initial PP-Airplane ride. Second, when all things are considered, it's more like five hours of the examiner's time, and the examiner has overhead and taxes to pay out of that, too. Finally, thinking of the examiner as your personal employee who must work at your beck and call is not going to be a success-oriented mind-set.

 

[jesse]

First, $350-400 is more the national average for an initial PP-Airplane ride. Second, when all things are considered, it's more like five hours of the examiner's time, and the examiner has overhead and taxes to pay out of that, too. Finally, thinking of the examiner as your personal employee who must work at your beck and call is not going to be a success-oriented mind-set.

+1 -- the same for your flight instructor. That is the very first discussion I have with a potential new student.

 

[Clark1961]

Finally, thinking of the examiner as your personal employee who must work at your beck and call is not going to be a success-oriented mind-set.

Nothing was said about a DPE being at someone's beck and call. All that was said was schedule when the student wants. Big difference.

 

[murphey]

Nothing was said about a DPE being at someone's beck and call. All that was said was schedule when the student wants. Big difference.

Why? If you consider the DPE a professional (and I do), then they have the same scheduling issues as the customer/student. If I need to see my physician, it's not going to be Right This Minute unless it's an emergency. And even then, I'll be squeezed in between other appts. to the detriment of other patients.

And if I need to see a specialist, again, unless an emergency, it's going to be days possibly weeks. To me, the DPE is a specialist in aviation.

Is this another example/symptom of the short attention span in the current technology age, where if the computer doesn't respond within 5 seconds we're PO'd and start calling the IT dept? Or the "I want it NOW!" attitude?

 

[Clark1961]

Why? If you consider the DPE a professional (and I do), then they have the same scheduling issues as the customer/student. If I need to see my physician, it's not going to be Right This Minute unless it's an emergency. And even then, I'll be squeezed in between other appts. to the detriment of other patients.

And if I need to see a specialist, again, unless an emergency, it's going to be days possibly weeks. To me, the DPE is a specialist in aviation.

Is this another example/symptom of the short attention span in the current technology age, where if the computer doesn't respond within 5 seconds we're PO'd and start calling the IT dept? Or the "I want it NOW!" attitude?

Like Ron you're blowing it all out of proportion. No one said anything about "right now." All that was said was do it on the student's schedule. That can mean many things and yes it could mean "right now." That said, it doesn't imply "right now." For me, it means that I schedule with a DPE when we both have time and that may well preclude a checkride during normal business hours. Or it might preclude a weekend checkride depending on schedules. Either way, my schedule is important (equal to the DPE) and I'm paying the freight so I will schedule when I want. If that fits a particular DPE, great, if not, there are more fish in the sea.

 

[MassPilot]

I guess I lucked out. When my CFI said it was time to schedule the checkride, he gave me the cellphone number of the DPE. I called that evening (Saturday) and scheduled it for the following Saturday. On Thursday I saw the weather forecast was calling for real strong crosswinds, but the day before looked nice and calm. I called him up and asked to move it up a day. He told me that he was standby captain on a charter flight and there was about a 20% chance he'd have to fly a Citation 1000 miles out, pick up a human heart and fly it back to Boston. I figured that would be the best excuse for cancelling I'd ever heard, but the ride happened that day anyway.

 

[poadeleted20]

Like Ron you're blowing it all out of proportion.

Perhaps I misinterpreted, but it sounded like 93K was saying "I'm paying $500, so I'll set the time and the examiner better be there." That sounds like a recipe for almost passing the practical test, like the guy who almost had sex with Carmen Electra (or Carmen Diaz or Penelope Cruz or any other sex goddess of your choice) -- to paraphrase, he was ready, but she wasn't there (you can guess the original phraseology).

 

[comanchepilot]

When I took my instrument ride all of the DPE's were booked, on vacation or taking time off for 4-6 WEEKS. I was leaving in 10 days for vacation, I have an airplane - gee - who says I need to take a ride locally - so I found a DPE where I was going on vacation - he was not busy and took my instrument checkride on vacation . . . and used the rating on the way home!

 

[denverpilot]

That's always been an FAA requirement for DPE's, and has always been an issue even back in the 70's after the FAA originally stopped doing any but CFI rides.

That must be an initial requirement, but not required for renewal, since there's a boatload of retiree DPEs around here with no other visible means of fiscal support.

 

[denverpilot]

The examiner I generally use is a United domestic pilot and his schedule is pretty odd. It can take a day or two to even get a response from him and the checkride is typically another week or two out from there. It's not uncommon for him to call last minute and have to cancel, such is life. The good news is that the examiner can TEXT MESSAGE which makes things so much easier.

I thought your local DPE was great about scheduling, considering he partially burnt two days off with the Discontinuance. Like most DPEs he also just really enjoyed flying, it was very obvious. The original December lack of availability was to be expected, so close to a major Holiday, and it never caused me any significant heartburn. Text messaging has definitely changed the world, for sure.

You just work out whatever works between all Parties in Aviation. It has always been thus.

 

[jFlight]

Mostly, my CFI made it seem to me like I would be readily able to schedule within a week. I got my written exam done a week-and-a-half later than I thought I would, and CFI didn't want to schedule DPE until I had that done. So I am only disappointed because I thought I would have been certified by now.

I don't expect CFIs or DPEs to be at my beck and call. But I am a customer/client, so I wouldn't think catering within reason could be expected.

I found this thread on checkride costs: http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36288

I was told mine will be $600. I think that's absolutely flippin' ludicrous. Just because I am in SoCal? Checkride day will be a $750 day, thereabouts. Insane! Of course, you don't see this written anywhere, nor shared with you, when you are inquiring about flight lessons. Go figure!

Come to find I could out-of-state...say...visit my pops... and get my checkride for $250. Spend the difference on airfare for the visit. But other logistics wash out the cost benefit. Like getting a rental outfit to rent you a plane. They'd probably want to check me out since I am not yet certified. I'd probably want to fly their plane prior to the checkride, even if it is the same model I am used to flying, to make sure it performs as expected. Eh... $600 bucks it is...

 

[Clark1961]

Perhaps I misinterpreted, but it sounded like 93K was saying "I'm paying $500, so I'll set the time and the examiner better be there." That sounds like a recipe for almost passing the practical test, like the guy who almost had sex with Carmen Electra (or Carmen Diaz or Penelope Cruz or any other sex goddess of your choice) -- to paraphrase, he was ready, but she wasn't there (you can guess the original phraseology).

Perhaps you misinterpreted. Guessing about "tone" on a webboard is a crapshoot and you decided to be negative. No surprise there. Your call of course.

 

[denverpilot]

Fly the airplane somewhere else where DPEs don't charge so much.

(By the way, I believe FAA limits their maximum charges allowed, and it's by area and cost of living, so the real solution is to get out of SoCal and move somewhere non-insane, but I digress...)

Instructor can sign you off for another solo X-C. Burn the money in AvGas instead.

Of course, if you don't pass, you're not signed off for the trip home.

No pressure!

My initial Private checkride was done exactly this way.

Talk about not wanting a pink slip and/or having to make THE phone call to say you needed someone to fly up and bring your CFI and his magic pen to allow you to fly home...

You better walk in ready to pass with perfect weather in that scenario.

Airport the DPE was at was about an hour and a half drive on open interstate highway from where I rented the airplane at the time.

Flew up as a signed-off-to-checkride solo-XC signed-off-once-more Student, flew home as a Private Pilot.

 

[ChrisK]

It would be really rude to not sign the student off for the return trip lol

 

[dweyant]

Fly the airplane somewhere else where DPEs don't charge so much.

(By the way, I believe FAA limits their maximum charges allowed, and it's by area and cost of living, so the real solution is to get out of SoCal and move somewhere non-insane, but I digress...)

Instructor can sign you off for another solo X-C. Burn the money in AvGas instead.

Of course, if you don't pass, you're not signed off for the trip home.

No pressure!

My initial Private checkride was done exactly this way.

Talk about not wanting a pink slip and/or having to make THE phone call to say you needed someone to fly up and bring your CFI and his magic pen to allow you to fly home...

You better walk in ready to pass with perfect weather in that scenario.

Airport the DPE was at was about an hour and a half drive on open interstate highway from where I rented the airplane at the time.

Flew up as a signed-off-to-checkride solo-XC signed-off-once-more Student, flew home as a Private Pilot.

I had to fly about an hour away for my check ride.

Pretty sure the X-Country endorsement I got to fly out would have covered a return trip. Fortunately I didn't need to worry about that

-Dan

 

[poadeleted20]

It would be really rude to not sign the student off for the return trip lol

Depends how far away the DPE is located. We're not allowed to sign a 61.93(c)(2)(ii) solo XC flight planning endorsement for return the next day -- same day only.

 

[poadeleted20]

I had to fly about an hour away for my check ride.

Pretty sure the X-Country endorsement I got to fly out would have covered a return trip.

That would depend on whether or not you planned the return trip before you left home and the CFI signing the endorsement checked and approved that as well as the outbound planning. But if the endorsement only listed Point A to Point B without further specification, then that endorsement would not be valid for return from Point B to Point A. The FAA is very picky about 61.93(c)(2)(ii) endorsements.

 

[bobmrg]

Fly the airplane somewhere else where DPEs don't charge so much.

(By the way, I believe FAA limits their maximum charges allowed, and it's by area and cost of living, so the real solution is to get out of SoCal and move somewhere non-insane, but I digress...)

Instructor can sign you off for another solo X-C. Burn the money in AvGas instead.

Of course, if you don't pass, you're not signed off for the trip home.

No pressure!

My initial Private checkride was done exactly this way.

Talk about not wanting a pink slip and/or having to make THE phone call to say you needed someone to fly up and bring your CFI and his magic pen to allow you to fly home...

You better walk in ready to pass with perfect weather in that scenario.

Airport the DPE was at was about an hour and a half drive on open interstate highway from where I rented the airplane at the time.

Flew up as a signed-off-to-checkride solo-XC signed-off-once-more Student, flew home as a Private Pilot.

Not true.

Bob Gardner

 

[poadeleted20]

The only thing the FAA says about what DPE's charge is that they're not allowed to discuss their fees with each other. The idea is to prevent collusion/price fixing. (Not that they don't all know what each other charges.)

There is discussion inside the FAA about requiring DPE's to charge time and mileage in addition to their standard fee for practical tests given other than at their designated airport. My guess is this is to discourage "poaching" even within the District (tests outside the designating District already require special approval). However, this idea doesn't seem to have much traction for now.

 

[denverpilot]

Interesting, thanks Bob and Ron.

 

[Meanee]

My DPE charged me $350 for PPL... $700 is crazy.

 

[NineThreeKilo]

Some of you guys really read too much into my post lol

Here is how I do it, I ask my students when they would like to do their ride (as in Mondays to Tuesdays around noon), I call my DPE talk about what type of ride my guy needs, let him know my students availability and set a date.

Good example, I don't personally take checkrides in the AM, I have called DPEs to set up my own rides and let them know I'm not available in the mornings for a ride, its never been a problem.