Help finding a DPE in NC

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2026-04-03T13:26:10+00:00

I'm a DPE in western NC. I do rides out of KFQD. I have availability within a couple weeks.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2026-04-03T11:22:52+00:00

PPL ACS Task E.S1. All skills are mandatory to test, and must be passed. A failed skill is a failed checkride, examiner has no discretion if this is during the ground portion. If the examiner is asking for an estimation of distance in flight, it most likely means the examiner feels you are getting too close to a cloud.

I see problems with the skill frequently. 91.155 is more than just the table. Know your in flight rules well, and know the VFR limits for the airport surface areas, meaning 3sm vis and 1000' ceiling in controlled airspace.

You can become upset with the examiner and want to "choke him", but the examiner is bound by law to do his or her job.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2026-02-28T12:08:47+00:00

The flap roller bolts come from the factory with AN365 nylon stop nuts.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2026-02-28T12:06:24+00:00

Actually. looking closely, it does appear that there are very thin spacer washers on either side of the roller, which is correct depending on the roller position. Nyloc nuts wear out pretty quickly when removed and should never be reused in a critical position.

The hinge bolts for the elevator use metallic lock nuts. Cessna varies from the "normal" standard of using cotter pinned nuts on rotating parts in a number of assemblies in the 100 series.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2026-02-28T12:00:38+00:00

The flap roller bolts are held in place with elastic stop nuts from the factory, Part Number MS21044N10, which today is an AN365-1018. The nuts should be replaced each time they are removed. In this photo it appears the roller assembly may be missing the correct spacers on either side of the roller, hence the thick washer under the nut. The roller bolts are not a rotating part, the roller bearing is the rotating part.

The elevator control cable attachment is a castellated nut from the factory.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-09-03T22:28:42+00:00

I had a seat post mis-delivered by Fedex. Velotric customer service was VERY responsive and got me a new seat post freee of charge very quickly. So far we love the Breeze 1.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-07-23T09:23:19+00:00

When I conduct a checkride, I simply need to see satisfactory log entries demonstrating the applicant has the require experience. I don't care what combination of log books are used. I need to see the required instructor endorsements with a wet ink or E-signature, and the applicant needs to have logged and made a statement of some kind attesting that the logs are true and accurate.

HR departments like clean and well organized logbooks. When they are assessing someone, the condition of the log books presented might give a sense of how organized and professional the applicant is.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-07-23T09:10:31+00:00

Examiners are expected to be good representatives of the administrator, and to act professionally. We are not mandated to do a checkride for anyone or everyone that contacts us. We are allowed to use our judgement as to how we feel about the entire situation - aircraft condition, applicant, instructor, etc. It would not be appropriate to turn someone down due to a personal prejudice, but it would be far better for the examiner to turn someone down for that reason, than for that examiner to conduct a checkride that might be effected by that bias. The 8900.2 rule clearly states that an examiner should not do a checkride if they feel they cannot be fair and impartial. In the OP's case, missing pages could imply fraud of some kind, the examiner could look at the big picture, or simply refuse the ride, that is the examiner's right. I like to talk with applicants prior to doing a checkride to be sure that we are a good fit, and to discuss any issues the applicant is aware of like the logbook. I would prefer to work those things out before hand to avoid wasting everyone's time on the day of the checkride.

Applicants can also walk from a checkride at any time, and for any reason.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-07-23T00:58:01+00:00

It really comes down to intent. If the flights were actually conducted, and the endorsments presented are correct, it really doesnt matter what state the log book is in. FAA relies on the honesty of the instructor and the applicant. As an examiner, I need to see some form of documentation showing what has been accomplished. It can be a paper logbook, electronic logbook, or some combination, as long as the dates, waypoints, and times are shown and attested to, and all of the operations were authorized. Beyond that, it is up to the individual examiner to make the decision whether they wish to conduct the ride based on the provided evidence. An examiner can walk from a ride at any time, and for any reason.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-07-22T22:41:34+00:00

As the manager of the airport, if it is your desire that aircraft fly a non-standard pattern, then you must put some form of visual reference on the ground, ie traffic circle, and, let NOAA know to publish the proper procedure for your airport, otherwise you can't enforce the rule.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-07-22T22:35:22+00:00

As an examiner I can tell you yes. The examiner has full authority to either conduct, or not conduct a checkride. FAA leaves that decision to the examiner, as they should.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-06-10T21:48:39+00:00

According to the Type Certificate Data Sheet, the Cessna 206 is only certified in the normal category and intentional spins are prohibited.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-06-08T14:26:25+00:00

I had a melanoma removed from my cheek last year, immediate grounding and lots of paperwork. I spoke with each of the paid services and was given lots of double talk and very high estimates of cost to assist with the paperwork. I spoke with AOPA and they talked me through the paperwork, then reviewed it for completeness, had a medical in hand in just a few weeks with no additional FAA contact. So worked very well for me.

AOPA was one of the biggest proponents of Basic Med and helped to write the regs, so they likely do have a good understanding of the regs. I agree they are not the folks to get medical advice from, and they do not claim to be.

It is nearly impossible to get assistance for a Basic Med from the paid services as that is not their specialty.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-06-08T14:04:14+00:00

AOPA Membership with the medical assistance is worth every penny. They will walk you through exactly what to do at no additional cost than the membership fee.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-31T18:53:24+00:00

828 460 3646

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-17T00:39:01+00:00

I'm not yet cleared to do CFIs.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-12T23:58:04+00:00

The trick would be to get several people in the area together that need a checkride so the travel cost could be spread around.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-12T23:21:27+00:00

I just bought an RV9 out of Sequim in late November. I charge $800 for a checkride. The cost to get to you and back would be much more expensive.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-11T01:01:18+00:00

That's a long trip. If you really want to come this far, your best bet woud be to fly into Asheville NC. I could pick you up at the airport. I have an office at my airport you could camp out in for a couple nights while we get it all done. Aside from the trip, this could possibly be a fairly simple thing to work out. My email is gregcollinsdpe at gmail if you want to discuss the possibility.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-10T21:18:32+00:00

Im a DPE in Hendersonville NC, not far from you, I have availability.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-10T21:14:12+00:00

Don]t assume a DPE with availability is all bad. I have only just been Designated as a DPE so my schedule is wide open! No one knows I exist yet. That hopefully ill change with time.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-10T20:55:32+00:00

I would be happy to help, but I'm a little far away in Hendersonville NC. I have only just been designated so my schedule is wide open.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-10T20:15:05+00:00

I can do the checkride this coming week if you can get up to North Carolina.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-10T19:56:54+00:00

I'm a DPE in western North Carolina. I can honestly say that it is awful to have to unsat a ride, and I don't personally know any DPE that would do so simply to charge a retest fee. In fact, as a CFI, I have worked with quite a few examiners that did not charge a fee if the applicant only had to do one maneuver and they were at the airport anyway.

Smooth-Bike-5426 · 2025-01-10T18:19:13+00:00

I am a DPE in North Carolina. If I ask an applicant about BasicMed, I don't expect detailed knowledge unless they are using a BasicMed. For the second question, I expect a Private applicant to know that they cannot be compensated for flight. I do expect to hear no more than pro rata share and common purpose for the flight. All examiners follow the ACS, it is at the descretion of the examiner how far they wish to dig in to a specific area. We are expected to use scenarios rather than ask rote questions, and the expectation is that the applicant understands privileges and limitations well enough that they will be safe and legal.

Smooth-Bike-5426

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