Sport Pilot DPE shortage

[3Dreaming]

Not all CFI's are created equal. While some could do an objective and fair checkride, I would venture to say they are in the minority. I personally know of CFI's who would have no business doing a checkride. In the past I knew of a current CFI who had not flown for over 10 years. The local DPE has told me that there is an instructor that sends him applicants who has never had one pass on the first try. If he cant even prepare someone for a checkride, how could he perform a test?

Preparing somebody for a check-ride is much harder than doing the actual check-ride - testing is a fairly mechanical tasks with well defined and known variables while teaching takes skills and, frankly, quite a bit of talent.

The bottom line is that the current system is broken if it takes months to even get a check-ride scheduled so something needs to be done.

I agree that preparing someone is harder than accessing their ability. My point is, if they can't determine if someone has the skills to pass the checkride, then they don't have the ability so safely access if someone has the skills to be awarded their pilot certificate.

Fortunately I have not had any big issues in scheduling checkrides. I think the longest wait was about 3 weeks. That was because the examiner was on vacation, plus having a busy schedule.

[drseti]

you might as well tip it over yourself at a time of your own choosing.

Well, since I already altered my Spring term dates - twice - and there's a huge penalty to change my airline tickets, I'm not tipping over any apple carts today.

[Warmi]

you might as well tip it over yourself at a time of your own choosing.

Well, since I already altered my Spring term dates - twice - and there's a huge penalty to change my airline tickets, I'm not tipping over any apple carts today.

Don’t forget in all this that you got the TBO webinar to run in March

[drseti]

Don’t forget in all this that you got the TBO webinar to run in March

Oh, no problem! That's the second Wednesday night in March. I'll fit it in somehow.

[foresterpoole]

I never knew, but I should have guessed, how hard it would be to simply get a chance to qualify as a DPE. It appears the government passed a long term spending bill so maybe no more shudowns for you, Paul. The flight school I used generally used one DPE, however, another was available if needed. Scheduling and weather were big factors in my issues, not necessarily DPE availability. I guess our area is lucky to have two DPE's in close proximity that can not only do PPL but also SPL testing and a school with good connections to both.

Paul, your perseverance is astounding! I hope everything goes well for you this time around.

[3Dreaming]

Here in southern Illinois I am happy to say we have a good examiner. He is a full time examiner, which helps with scheduling. He does sport pilot through CFI, single and multi engine. He is a true professional who gives a fair but proper checkride. We are lucky to have him.

[Warmi]

Here in southern Illinois I am happy to say we have a good examiner. He is a full time examiner, which helps with scheduling. He does sport pilot through CFI, single and multi engine. He is a true professional who gives a fair but proper checkride. We are lucky to have him.

Do you know Jim Leon from KIKK ? He is a sport dpe ,heavy maintenance rotax guy etc ... just curious if you know him by any chance ...

[drseti]

Paul, your perseverance is astounding! I hope everything goes well for you this time around.

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Ed. Fingers crossed!

[3Dreaming]

Here in southern Illinois I am happy to say we have a good examiner. He is a full time examiner, which helps with scheduling. He does sport pilot through CFI, single and multi engine. He is a true professional who gives a fair but proper checkride. We are lucky to have him.

Do you know Jim Leon from KIKK ? He is a sport dpe ,heavy maintenance rotax guy etc ... just curious if you know him by any chance ...

I think I may have met him when I did my Rotax recurrent training a little over a year ago.

[rgstubbsjr]

Knock 'em dead.
With your experience, it should be piece of cake.

[drseti]

Thanks - but don't you know our government doesn't believe in cake?

[drseti]

As you may recall, two months ago, while already enroute to Oklahoma City, I learned that my DPE course had been cancelled due to a government shutdown. Last week, while preparing for travel to attend the upcoming replacement course, it began to appear that the same thing was about to happen again. I am pleased now to report that Congress finally passed a budget bill, averting the threatened government shutdown. So, at zero dark thirty tomorrow morning, I'm off on the next leg of my ongoing saga. I'll keep you all posted from OKC.
Safe Skies,
Paul

[Warmi]

As you may recall, two months ago, while already enroute to Oklahoma City, I learned that my DPE course had been cancelled due to a government shutdown. Last week, while preparing for travel to attend the upcoming replacement course, it began to appear that the same thing was about to happen again. I am pleased now to report that Congress finally passed a budget bill, averting the threatened government shutdown. So, at zero dark thirty tomorrow morning, I'm off on the next leg of my ongoing saga. I'll keep you all posted from OKC.
Safe Skies,
Paul

Indeed , they passed..... 1.3 trillion dollars to be precise - I think that should be enough to cover the DPE course heh....

[Wm.Ince]

Indeed , they passed..... 1.3 trillion dollars to be precise - I think that should be enough to cover the DPE course heh....

Let's all pause a momemt . . . and thank our grandkids for their generosity. Their day of reckoning is coming.

[drseti]

My only grandson just turned five a few days ago, Bill. I never realized how wealthy he is!