Oklahoma PPL DPE feedback and recommendations

[imwithtuxedo]

I'm trying to schedule my PPL checkride with a specific examiner and I'm having trouble getting the examiner to call me back or offer alternative dates for my checkride. This has been going on for over a month. I'm fed up and looking for recommendations for DPE's that you've used in the OKC area or even Tulsa. I have my own plane so I'm not tied to one airport for the exam. Send those recs my way with feedback and thanks.

 

[AggieMike88]

@RussR is a CFI in the OKC area.... hopefully he can provide some assistance.

 

[RussR]

I have used 3 DPEs in the OKC area for students. However, one is no longer a DPE, one was in a fatal aircraft accident recently, and the other one is about the busiest DPE I’ve ever met (Janusz Abczynski). I have also had a checkride myself with Jennifer Wise up in Tulsa. (I also did one checkride years ago with Larry Lay up near Wichita.)

Janusz and Jennifer are both fine DPEs and run a straightforward checkride. However, they are both very busy and getting on their schedule can be tough.

There has always been a shortage of DPEs in OKC, and now with the pilot shortage and therefore high demand for training and checkrides, even more so.

Who did your CFI recommend? What other alternatives did he or she have? I recommend you go to http://av-info.faa.gov/DesigneeSearch.asp , select SW15 for the FAA office and just start calling. If not that, try Wichita maybe. Larry is still listed as an examiner and I’d recommend him as well. CE07 for the FAA office in Wichita.

 

[Ryan F.]

Great information from RussR. Remember, you can go outside your area and call examiners from other FSDO jurisdictions. Might require a little travel to a neighboring area, but it's an option.

A good examiner friend of mine does rides in Montana, Nevada, and California. I've personally already done rides in New Jersey and Florida, and I haven't been doing this very long. The main impetus for lifting the geographic restrictions on Designated Pilot Examiners is to alleviate the long wait times wherever possible. You might also call your local FSDO for suggestions as to who you can call.

Best of luck to you.

 

[OkieAviator]

I did both my PPL and Instrument Checkrides with Janusz Abczynski. Great experience!

 

[Dbarbee]

In the Tulsa area:

Lee Romenek: I did my instrument checkride with him and it was a straightforward and relaxed experience with no surprises. He can get pretty busy though.

Jennifer Wise: I’ve met her but never flown with her. All good reports from everyone I’ve talked to that did a checkride with her

David Koehn: relatively new DPE at Destinations EFC but a long time pilot and CFI. Very nice guy but I’ve heard no feedback on his checkrides yet.

Janusz Abczynski (aka John ABC): I’ve met him briefly but never flown with him. I’ve heard all good things about him though.