![FAA insignia on a laptop [Credit: Shutterstock]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/shutterstock_2256118707-scaled-1-e1751919912275.jpg?width=1200&height=900)
The deadline is less than 48 hours away for flight instructors and flight school owners to let the FAA know their thoughts on proposed changes to a rule that will affect how practical tests are conducted.
The deadline for commenting on FAA Order 8000.95D Change 1 is 11:59 p.m. EST on January 23. The order will alter the way designated pilot examiners (DPEs) operate and how flight schools schedule and conduct these tests, commonly known as check rides.
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has released a notice to its membership summarizing the proposed changes with concerns that they could make finding a DPE and getting on their schedule more difficult than it is now.
Experience Changes for DPEs
Under the new rule, DPEs would be required to have at least five hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) time in each make and model before conducting a check ride in a single-engine aircraft.
- READ MORE: FAA Grounds Aircraft for Improper Registration
- READ MORE: Don’t Limit Your Training: FAA’s Stance on Flight School DPEs
This change could potentially limit the pool of available examiners, resulting in scheduling delays and possibly added expense, as the applicant may have to travel out of the area to find a DPE who can administer the check ride. Another angle is that it might create an extended wait time and raise the cost of a certificate while the applicant waits to get on a particular DPE’s schedule due to the PIC rule.
DPEs also would be prohibited from collecting any fees until after the applicant’s eligibility is determined during the pre-test briefing. There is a concern that could create administrative burdens for both examiners and flight schools, potentially complicating the scheduling and payment process.
The changes would limit the ability of DPEs to administer flight instructor practical tests. This could create a further bottleneck in the training world, especially at higher-volume flight schools that often cull instructors from their recent graduates.
NAFI is urging its membership to let the FAA know how these changes, if adopted, could impact the flight training process.
Review the full text of the proposed changes to FAA Order 8000.95D Change 1 here.
