Understanding the Private Pilot Check Ride Gouge

The CFI—an acquaintance—was reaching out in hopes of better preparing their flight student.

A gouge is a profile of a particular DPE’s check ride, specifically the quirky things they are known for asking, or the scenarios they often give an applicant. The gouges are created from a debrief of applicants who have taken check rides with the DPE. 

After the check ride, applicants are asked to write a narrative including details about questions the DPE asked, maneuvers they wanted to see, and scenarios they presented. In theory, as long as the applicant meets the Airman Certification Standards set forth by the FAA, they should pass the check ride, but sometimes an applicant’s nerves get the better of them, or they aren’t prepared for a quirk of the DPE.

One DPE, for example, always asks about scuba diving and flying. Another wants to see a power-on stall in a left turn. Another DPE objected to the applicant’s aircraft checklist, saying it was not “FAA approved." One deactivates the navigation feature of the GPS and asks the applicant to navigate using pilotage and dead reckoning. If the applicant isn’t prepared for any of these things, they may accuse the DPE of being unfair, or even hostile. DPEs who get this reputation often see a decrease in the number of check rides they are asked to do.

The gouge is not supposed to be a rote copy of the check ride, but from what I have heard from DPEs around the country, sometimes it’s the check ride that is taught, not necessary flying skills.

Some applicants come to the check ride thinking they will just be demonstrating maneuvers. They get thrown for a loop when they are asked to plan a cross-country flight that is part of a scenario. Because they have been taught to rely on GPS or an app, they struggle with a navlog and using the pilot's operating handbook to determine the aircraft performance.

According to the DPEs I know, it is often the ground portion where the applicants founder, especially when they present with just a rote level of knowledge.

To be a safe and effective pilot, you need more than repeating memorized, rote knowledge. You need to be able to understand, apply, and correlate information. For example, if during a flight the barometric pressure starts to fall rapidly, the pilot needs to know what to expect weather-wise, as a storm is on the way.

Pilots have been using rote memorization particularly for the knowledge tests since testing began. Pilots can purchase commercially produced study guides for the knowledge tests, highlight the correct answers, and use this to partially memorize the test. Most test prep books provide about one-third of the questions the applicants will see on the knowledge test.

While a score of 70 is passing on the knowledge test, that’s going to make for a long oral exam during the check ride. DPEs are supplied with a copy of knowledge test results and use this to craft a check ride that will determine if the deficiencies found during the knowledge test (a fancy way of saying you missed a question on a certain topic) have been addressed. CFIs are supposed to give the learner remedial instruction in these areas and sign off on it.

It is often said the better you do on the knowledge test, the easier the check ride will be, probably because you demonstrate a better understanding of the material. There are, however, those who say it gives the DPE less places to dig.

This is one of the reasons many CFIs urge their learners not to take the knowledge test until they have finished three practice tests in a row in the same week, scoring 94 or above on each. It is not uncommon to lose 10 points when you walk into the testing center, so go in overprepared for best results. 

There are also commercially produced study guides designed specifically to address the oral exam part of the check ride. These are worth their weight in gold, as long as the applicant understands the information to the level of correlation and application.

According to FAA's Advisory Circular 61-64, when the CFI endorses the candidate for check ride, they are certifying that the "applicant has received the required training in accordance with 61.107 and 61.109,” and, the endorsement continues, "have determined that he/she is prepared for the Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine Land Practical Test.” 

Pretty much every CFI I know has a story about someone trying to pressure them into endorsing someone for the check ride when the CFI didn’t think the applicant was ready. Even if the applicant passes, it’s often enough to make a CFI look for another job—and if the applicant fails, it goes on the CFI’s record as well as the applicant’s.

On the other side of the coin are the applicants who feel pressured to do the check ride when they don’t feel ready or comfortable. If this is you, figure out what is causing you concern and address it with your CFI and do a mock check ride (or two) with another instructor for a “second opinion.” Familiarity breeds confidence.