It's a challenging problem - there aren't enough ASIs to supervise an increased roster of designees.
Similar to when there weren't enough pilot examiners. We just need Designated ASIs. Wanna become a DASI?
![Biggrin :biggrin: :biggrin:](/community/styles/poa/poa_smilies/biggrin.gif)
It's a challenging problem - there aren't enough ASIs to supervise an increased roster of designees.
The DPEs I work with charge the same rate for every "half-day" checkride: Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFII, Multi, MEIso about $500 to $900 for a PPL initial ride
sidebar question - what's the going rate for PPL add ons or other rides
seaplane add on?add on for something like a gyroplane rotorcraft?Instrument rating?multi add on?or upgrade to commercial?etc...
When did that change? I did my private oral when we absolutely knew we wouldn't be going that day.A parallel issue I've discussed with DPEs is that they can't use "bad weather" days to do the oral portion of a checkride. There's no starting the checkride unless the weather forecast is good enough to allow it to be completed. We've squinted real hard at weather forecasts to support a go decision, but several days of IFR/LIFR, and even some MVFR, forces a reschedule to later in an already-packed calendar.
I'd really like to use the existing Discontinuance process to allow the ground portion of checkrides when the weather is poor, and use the good days for the flying portion. We would get an increase in test capacity from a simple tweak to the policy. I understand the concerns to changing the current approach, but the DPEs that I have a good working relationship with aren't the type to abuse this level of flexibility. (I feel the same can be said about many of the other DPEs that I've met in the past, too.)
Some time ago. Our DPE is under the same protocol. Back when I did my Private, they could complete the oral if the flight portion wasn’t doable, now if it’s not reasonably assured that both can be completed, the check ride can’t be started. Kind of dumb I agree.When did that change? I did my private oral when we absolutely knew we wouldn't be going that day.
Similar here...We presumed that the practical portion was a no go prior to starting the oral exam. By the end of the exam an unexpected weather window opened up and off we went.When did that change? I did my private oral when we absolutely knew we wouldn't be going that day.
The intent of the designee must be to complete the entire practical test in one day. Designees must not schedule the test to be planned as a multiple-day event.
Some time ago. Our DPE is under the same protocol. Back when I did my Private, they could complete the oral if the flight portion wasn’t doable, now if it’s not reasonably assured that both can be completed, the check ride can’t be started. Kind of dumb I agree.
It's been the rule as long as I've known; Order 8900.2C, Chapter 7, Section 2, Subsection 15, Paragraph (a):
The intent of the designee must be to complete the entire practical test in one day. Designees must not schedule the test to be planned as a multiple-day event.
Huh.A parallel issue I've discussed with DPEs is that they can't use "bad weather" days to do the oral portion of a checkride. There's no starting the checkride unless the weather forecast is good enough to allow it to be completed.
I grimaced the last checkride I took to write a check for $800. Scheduling wasn't that hard with a few calls (emails didn't elicit many responses). I was on the "prices for DPEs are out of control train" too. Then, a few weeks ago I was FINALLY moving my logbook to electronic and my receipt for my PPL checkride fell out of my first log book. $350 in 1992. I do recall that $350 felt like a TON of money then.
Low and behold, $350 adjusted for inflation to 2024 is...wait for it...$800. So, all things considered, checkrides cost the same as they have for 30+ years.
I was paying $38/hr wet for a 172N then.…I will bet that in 1992 there were a lot of people paying $100-ish for a checkride.
Same. In the same logbook was a monthly rollup from my 141 university program. $35 an hour wet for a 152 and an additional $13.75 for dual.I was paying $38/hr wet for a 172N then.
I want to say I paid $250-300 for my private in 1994 in Virginia. I don't remember the exact amount, but I remember it was cash, and it it seemed like a lot of money to a broke college kid bankrolling his flight training with a relatively lucrative $7.50/hr part-time job.I do think $350 was abnormally high for a checkride in 1992, or you lived in a very expensive area. I don't have my receipt from my Private checkride in 1994, but I do have one for a Commercial in 2009 - and it was $350.
I will bet that in 1992 there were a lot of people paying $100-ish for a checkride.
If you are near a college aviation program, there is more demand at the end of semesters.As far as DPE schedules: is there a high season? Off season?
Wow, your DPE took a check. All the ones I've encountered want CASH only.I grimaced the last checkride I took to write a check for $800.
I’d like to know too. I don’t like it. Why waste a whole day when you can at least knock out the oral?What it the thought process of the FAA forcing the oral and practical on the same day? In the summer, by the time the oral is done, the density altitude is too high to fly.
That happens. The rule is just that you cannot begin the test, unless you’re reasonably confident it can be completed. Weather can change during the oral, plane can break, stuff happens and that is expected.Same day? That’s reeeaaally stupid. What if you do the oral, then there is a mechanical issue and plane can’t fly?
Wow, your DPE took a check. All the ones I've encountered want CASH only.
I could see maybe a time limit, like no more than 30 days between oral and flight, but to force it to be on the same day seems to make no sense.
I could see maybe a time limit, like no more than 30 days between oral and flight, but to force it to be on the same day seems to make no sense.
The two points are not mutually exclusiveDo you have statistics to support there currently is a 30% first time failure rate? My observation is the DPEs are passing applicants they shouldn’t.
I know of a couple places that do gyrocopter, but I never looked at the costs for the checkride itself. If I add on the gyrocopter rating, it's "fun money."
So what is an ASI?
I believe you are confusing an FAA directive the oral must proceed the flight portion.What it the thought process of the FAA forcing the oral and practical on the same day? In the summer, by the time the oral is done, the density altitude is too high to fly.
Only if the intent was to do it all in one day (see my previous post).It acceptable to do oral one day and flying another. But the oral does need to come first.
Only if the intent was to do it all in one day (see my previous post).
Thank you.Aviation Safety Inspector