Frequently Asked Questions with a DPE - AeroGuard Flight Training Center 

Thanks for the comment and insight, Enrique! Glad you were able to safely pass the checkride!

We're happy to help!

I'm a fellow student pilot so keep this in mind as you consider my answer to your question. I think the point he is trying to make is that students 'fixate' on instruments and ignore the idea that VFR means flying by visual reference to OUTSIDE. DPEs want to see your eyeballs are looking outside and that you are able to hold a straight and level course or maintain a steady turn at altitude without relying only on instruments alone. The impression I got from this is that if you are obviously staring too long at the instruments during a maneuver you aren't using the primary data point - the outdoor view - available to you. That said, I hear you. I really struggle to see the subtle changes in pitch and our horizons in the midwest can be pretty soft. I'd say it took over 10 hours before I really could perceive this and way more to do so without direct focus. I didn't improve my pitch consistency to my satisfaction until I learned to rapidly scan the attitude indicator (not airspeed). I wasn't taught this until in my cross country phase when I also completed the fly by instruments qualifying hours. I am still learning to "see" pitch changes to the degree I want to but in the meantime I'm practicing quick scans - I say 'check check' out loud as I move between altitude, attitude, airspeed and heading indicators. Final note - the more I fly the less exacting the standards actually feel. The tolerances are actually pretty generous. Regardless of when your check ride falls in your learning journey, I think the more you fly the more this is true. But a student with 50 hours is going to struggle more than a student with 70 or 80. Understandably most students want to get to the check ride asap, but if you are taking a little longer that will only make it easier to pass the check ride. And more importantly make you a safer pilot for the untrained passengers who will put their safety in your hands.

ACS stands for Airman Certification Standards, it's essentially the requirements and tolerances required to earn that license or rating.

www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/acs/private_airplane_acs_change_1.pdf This is the ACS link. You can google it too if you lose this link.

Congratulations on getting 100%! By rule, DPEs must test on failed items from the written, so technically those with lower scores would have more areas to review with their DPE,. However, DPEs can cover what they like, so ensure you are well prepared and you will do great - Good luck!

@@flyaeroguard Thank you! Checkride is on the 18th!

@@sjaviation how did it go?

@@kurtreber9813 I passed! Working on instrument rating now.

@@sjaviation Awesome! And congratulations.That really opens up the skies for you. I haven't even started PPL yet but have been ready for years and hopefully start as soon as tomorrow with a (re-)discovery flight. Weather has not been a friend lately.