TheaterFire

Trying to book an instrument checkride is harder than the instrument training itself

Posted by anon__a__mouse__@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 20 comments

The lack of available DPEs, and the lack of any kind of response when you reach out to them is infuriating.

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20 Comments

flyingron@reddit

The DPE system is corrupt. Welcome to your FAA.
View on Reddit #29072827

OnToNextStage@reddit

Trying to book a~~n instrument~~ checkride is harder than the ~~training~~ itself
View on Reddit #29029601

earthgreen10@reddit

i thought ppl training was harder than booking a checkride
View on Reddit #29055402

Icy-Bar-9712@reddit

10 weeks waiting on CPL and I'm not even scheduled... Ran into the guy who did my PPL 3 weeks ago and asked if he'd do it, Sure! Hasn't returned my calls. :(
View on Reddit #29046579

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

unreal ... just unreal
View on Reddit #29052372

Icy-Bar-9712@reddit

That doesn't count the 4 weather cancelations.
View on Reddit #29052444

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

Have you tried out of state? Thats my last resort
View on Reddit #29052554

Icy-Bar-9712@reddit

Assistant chief at the school reached out to 60 DPEs over a 2 week period and got a whopping 3 rides out of it. Plus it's a lot like my work (am currently a cabinet maker), in this environment if you aren't super busy, do I really want to hire you?
View on Reddit #29052664

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

very true
View on Reddit #29052746

Swvfd626@reddit

That sucks man, I've heard it a lot. Makes me wonder how I called one and 5 days later had my paper cert in my hand
View on Reddit #29051012

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

it really is luck of the draw I think
View on Reddit #29052357

Santos_Dumont@reddit

In Vegas? It was bad when I did my checkride 5 years ago. Can’t imagine now. Oh and god forbid your checkride is on a day when the wind is blowing from the west so you can’t shoot the VGT ILS. You know you’re getting a discontinuance before you even start. If I was smarter I would have called Nellis tower beforehand and begged them to vector me onto their ILS and go missed. Would have saved me $700.
View on Reddit #29043531

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

yep ... I guess the majority of DPE's in town are bought out by the pilot mills so the rest of us plebeians just have to text/email in hopes of a response at some point from someone who has a spot open 2 months from now
View on Reddit #29052321

Anthem00@reddit

they are being contacted all over the place - its a tricky situation. In a way - they can respond as to what their availability is - but then they deal with the student contacting 20 other DPE's and not getting back to them. So its like one side (students) fishing to first checkride dates, and DPE's trying to fill out their schedules without massive cancellations. The best idea is usually to go with the one your school usually uses and get on their schedule. Most good instructors have pretty good working relationships with one or possibly two DPE's. You are most likely to get success that way vs trying to find your own. At least yours is instrument, so you can technically take a plane to the DPE that is further away than a PPL checkride.
View on Reddit #29023886

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

Yep, I think the big issue with the way the DPE system currently works is that each DPE is totally different to the next. 1 guy/girl has an online calendar that works great to find availability/book in, one guy does not talk to students and requires your instructor to contact them, one guy works full time and has a few days to do checkrides, one is the primary DPE for pilot mills and only has availability at the last minute. If all DPEs were required to use a calendar system like Flight Schedule Pro, where they can list their availability it would make the whole process so much easier, not just for students but also for the DPEs themselves who I'm sure are getting pounded with emails and texts.
View on Reddit #29024410

RexFiller@reddit

These are the things the FAA should/could be working on. A system through IACRA (please not another login) where you can schedule check rides and so the dpe can see your IACRA application ahead of time and maybe even other things to confirm you're eligible for the ride. DPEs maybe wouldt have to participate but hopefully it would make it easier on the ones that do to prevent all the back and forth.
View on Reddit #29028069

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

That would be amazing. Just like you said, including a way to upload aircraft logs etc. It doesn't have to be fancy, just a very basic portal which, like you said, would allow participating DPEs to confirm eligibility in advance. I'm sure pilot mill DPEs and those that primarily get fully booked through specific schools would not get involved, which is fine but those that were involved could simply direct potential students to the portal before scheduling a date.
View on Reddit #29028446

Anthem00@reddit

thats your frustration and what you think will be more convenient for you. Its obvious they dont feel the same as they are quite full and content with the way they are doing business. So you're trying to solve a problem that they dont necessarily want or care for the solution - if that makes sense.
View on Reddit #29024665

anon__a__mouse__@reddit (OP)

I definitely agree it's my frustration, and the solution I mentioned is something that would be convenient for me for sure. But my point relates more to what you said in your initial post ... it's a tricky situation where they are being contacted by students day and night, and then students ghost them. Wouldn't it work to alleviate all the texts/emails/calls the DPE's get which force them to not reply in the first place? It's kind of like a catch 22, they don't respond because they get too many messages but if you don't message 20 DPE's you won't get a response. My point is I just feel like there has to be a better, more formal way than the current setup which feels like Facebook marketplace ... "is this still available" and then no response. Do I keep messaging this guy? Does he only respond if I keep pestering him?
View on Reddit #29025391

Anthem00@reddit

Most dpes are working with people they know (or schools that book them out). So as you said - cfis that they have worked with successfully and / or the schools that regularly book. The issue is - they aren’t having an issue to fill their books. So it’s not a problem they have any interest in solving. I have heard some people indicate interest to a DPE and offer to pay deposit and get dates. The issue is that you are probably contacting a ton of dpes - and not quite ready to put a deposit down for way august - as you rightfully want to shop for the soonest. But if you somehow get that guys attention and then say - I’ll get back to you - there is a high likelihood that they don’t respond the next time. So work with your cfi and see if he can help with dpes that he has worked with successfully that might know him. Put a deposit down and book your date. That might help. Dunno.
View on Reddit #29025932