I want to preface this piece by saying I am not a designated pilot examiner (DPE). I have been a CFI since July 23, 2003, at 4:48 p.m.—it was like giving birth, I remember it vividly—and I have racked up thousands of hours as an instructor, but I am not a DPE. I’d rather be teaching someone than evaluating them at the end. Sometimes, I get to do both when I perform a mock check ride to help prepare an applicant for a test. It is important that they know what to expect.
Recently, I encountered a private pilot applicant who was angry after failing the oral portion of the check ride. He felt that his instructor did not properly prepare him, and he had no idea how unprepared he was until he found himself across the table from the DPE—who was allegedly getting so frustrated he was raising his voice and interrupting the applicant as he attempted to answer the questions. The applicant was confused, asking if that was how a check ride was supposed to go.
