Howdy--I'm nearly ready for my checkride, but my flight instructor, who is also an FAA Examiner, said that I need 3 hours of training from another instructor who will recommend me for my checkride. Is that true, or can I just take my checkride with the guy who instructed me throughout my training?

I can't imagine that I need training from someone else, this would make being the only Examiner in town a disadvantage, since any student who flew with you would have to buy 3 throwaway hours of instruction just to be able to take their checkride with you.

If you know the FAR that deals with this, so much the better!

From § 61.313 Aeronautical experience requirements for Sport Pilot certificate:

(iv) 2 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in §61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.

Nothing is said to the effect of prohibiting the same person who administered your primary training as being the one who performs the checkride, unless it is stated in another subpart. However, I think it is a good idea to do a simulated checkride with a different person. I learned a lot from the experience.

I wouldn't worry about the 3 "throwaway" hours of instruction from a different instructor. Sounds like it's just a formality, and your current intructor/examiner will pass you no problem on your checkride

Use the "throwaway" hours towards the instrument flight requirements for your instrument ticket if the other instructor is agreeable to this.

He should have mentioned this awhile ago so as not to inconvenience you this way, BUT, better not rock the boat too much since he has you by the short ones Take the opportunity to learn from the other instructor, you'll look back in this later on and think nothing of it...

Good luck!

I would agree with the other folks also. I found that flying with another instructor is far from 'throwaway' hours. Another point of view is always helpful, especially when prepping for a check ride. Every instructor has their own bit of knowledge to pass along and it will only make you a better pilot.

Section 5-3 of the Sport Pilot Examiners Handbook states the requirement for the 3 hours.
The 3 hours can be part of your required 15.
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_an ... 8710-7.pdf

NO flight instructor can both recommend you for a practical test AND conduct the practical test. And, to recommend you for a practical test, a flight instructor must have flown with you for three hours.

If you are indeed already close to meeting all the requirements to take the practical exam, and your instructor is just now telling you about this.....I'd find another instructor. If, on the other hand, you're just close, but need a little polishing, just do it.

Finally, if you have a question like this, why haven't you brought it up with your flight instructor/examiner?? He/she should be willing and capable of showing you the rule.

MTV

In a way, it does seem like a conflict of interest (or whatever) for your CFI to also be your checkride examiner. I'm almost surprised that the FAA doesn't prohibit DPE's from doing flight instruction. A friend of mine who's an A&P/IA went to work for the FAA several years ago as a mainenance inspector, and part of the deal was that he could not exercise the privileges of his IA. I guess the thinking was that he could shut down all the other IA's & be the only game in town?

Regardless of the actual rules, If the guy who is gonna do your check ride says you need to do it, you probably need to do it...

It sucks to spend the money for three more hours, but you'll get to go fly for three hours, so its not a waste. Flying is still a good time, even if there is someone in the right seat. Besides, you'll probably waste a whole lot more than three hours worth of time and money on flying once you get your ticket

S-12Flyer wrote:Section 5-3 of the Sport Pilot Examiners Handbook states the requirement for the 3 hours.
The 3 hours can be part of your required 15.
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_an ... 8710-7.pdf

Thanks for the reference.

The 3 hour rule is real. It was a real eye-opener for me when I got close to my PP & IFR exams at GJT.

I now understand why so many folks need 60 hrs to get their PP licenses, and why I was covered in sweat after many of those lessons with my instructor/DPE, taking the exam somewhere between 40 and 41 hours.

The progress I had made to finish 'on time' up until then had very little to do with me, and everything to do with my actual instructor. I never would have known ....unless I had gone with a different instructor for those 3 wasted, but necessary hours.

hotrod150 wrote:In a way, it does seem like a conflict of interest (or whatever) for your CFI to also be your checkride examiner. I'm almost surprised that the FAA doesn't prohibit DPE's from doing flight instruction. A friend of mine who's an A&P/IA went to work for the FAA several years ago as a mainenance inspector, and part of the deal was that he could not exercise the privileges of his IA. I guess the thinking was that he could shut down all the other IA's & be the only game in town?

DPEs do NOT work for the FAA, as does an Inspector. They are paid by the examiner, not the FAA. Therefore, as long as the applicant has been recommended by another instructor after substantial experience with the applicant, ther should no conflict. DPEs often work for a flight school...

MTV

crowned wrote:Howdy--I'm nearly ready for my checkride, but my flight instructor, who is also an FAA Examiner, said that I need 3 hours of training from another instructor who will recommend me for my checkride. Is that true, or can I just take my checkride with the guy who instructed me throughout my training?

I can't imagine that I need training from someone else, this would make being the only Examiner in town a disadvantage, since any student who flew with you would have to buy 3 throwaway hours of instruction just to be able to take their checkride with you.

If you know the FAR that deals with this, so much the better!

I'm sorry but this statement is worrisome to me. No time spent with an instructor is throwaway. It implies that you already have all the knowledge/skills you need. The day I feel I don't need any more instruction is the day I sell my plane. I can relate to wanting to get your check ride done but if your your examiner says you need the time, just do it.
The whole idea of this forum is an exchange of ideas and info. None of us know it all. (OK some people THINK they do) But we all come here to hash out thoughts and ideas with "subject matter experts". Granted I've had a lot of throwaway hours here. But overall I've learned a lot from the pilots on this site.

I also think a DPE who is only allowed to give check rides would have a hard time making a living. These guys are free-lancers.

I was wondering about the strategy here - it would seem that the best chance of success is to train primarily with the DPE - and know what he wants inside and out and be comfortable with him/her rather than roll the dice with a stranger in a stressful situation. Now finding another instructor who is willing to endorse you with only 3 hours dual probably requires some collusion on the part of the DPE and the other instructor - something you're primarily find at a part 141 school.

soyAnarchisto wrote:I also think a DPE who is only allowed to give check rides would have a hard time making a living. These guys are free-lancers.

It depends where you are at and how much flight training is going on.

I can introduce you to two that make over 100 K a year doing nothing but checkrides....ie:freelancers

MTV

My instructor gave me my check ride also. The other instructor that recommended me made me better at wheel landing in the my PA 12. I have learned something from every different instructor I've been with.

180Marty wrote:My instructor gave me my check ride also. The other instructor that recommended me made me better at wheel landing in the my PA 12. I have learned something from every different instructor I've been with.

And THAT is the point....

MTV

It's been said here already, but I'll say it again. Don't consider those three hours as wasted. I struggled with landings until I got some help from another instructor. Yes, I passed my checkride (on my second attempt) having only received flight instruction from my one instructor, but half an hour with another (more experienced) instructor six months later has done wonders for my landings. So, I'd recommend a couple of options:
1. If there's something you know you could use some refinement on, have the second instructor work with you on that.
2. Have the second instructor give you a mock-checkride. This would have helped me a lot, as being "under pressure" really can throw you off. This probably would have shown me where I was weak, at which point I could have switched to option 1.

If anything, a different perspective can be immensely helpful in your overall improvement as a pilot.