FAA Requests Input on New DPE Survey

Agency seeks public comments on proposed post-checkride feedback system.

DPE during Checkride
[Credit: RGtimeline | Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA is requesting public comments on a proposed new voluntary post-checkride survey for pilots evaluated by Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs).
  • This initiative stems from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and aims to increase DPE oversight by collecting data on examiner performance, professionalism, and the testing environment.
  • The survey would consist of approximately 12 yes-or-no questions, with the FAA estimating about 49,000 pilots would complete the seven-minute survey annually.
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The FAA is asking for public comments on a proposed new voluntary post-checkride survey for pilots following their evaluation by designated pilot examiners (DPEs). Written comments must be submitted by Feb. 27, 2026.

According to the FAA, the survey would be offered to pilots following practical tests and would consist of approximately 12 yes-or-no questions addressing examiner professionalism, suitability of the testing environment, exam content, and the duration of both the ground and flight portions of the test. The FAA said it estimates that about 49,000 applicants would complete the survey each year, with an average response time of seven minutes.

The proposed survey stems from Section 833 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which directed the agency to increase its oversight of designated pilot examiners, including deploying a system to track examiner performance and merit. The FAA said it will use the collected information for that purpose and invited comments on whether the information collection is necessary, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to improve the quality and clarity of the information, and methods to reduce respondent burden without diminishing data quality.

Matt Ryan

Matt is AVweb's lead editor. His eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor and aviation writer, Matt also leads and teaches a high school aviation program in the Dallas area. Beyond his lifelong obsession with aviation, Matt loves to travel and has lived in Greece, Czechia and Germany for studies and for work.

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Replies: 3

  1. My first check ride, i felt like I was the accused in the Spanish imposition. There was no way possible that I would ever pass that test. And i saw the date stamp on my canceled check. He must have gone right to the bank to cash it before the ink was dry.

  2. Avatar for vince vince says:

    Sounds like he should have gone to the bank before starting the oral. :wink: Hope you did well anyway.

    :

  3. Step in the right direction for sure, but the question topics seem to skirt the current issues of it’s too expensive and there aren’t enough DPEs.

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