CFI Pass rates around the Country. And are DPE's used?

[citabriapilot]

I did my initial in Jacksonville FL with a DPE. Not sure if it was because Orlando FSDO was backed up or if the distance allowed for a DPE, but most people seeking the checkride got a fax from the FSDO with a list of local DPE's they could choose from. My fax only had a choice of 3 while some others had a full page.

 

[LavMan]

I think the failure rate is a little too much for what is asked. I went throught the BS like everyone else. How can you understand student errors if you have no experience teaching? I think they should make it like school teachers. Get some teaching experience as a student teacher. A month worth of practicing on other than a sacrastic instructor trying to screw up isn't the same as when you start doing it yourself with real students. Thier are only so many scenarios that can be taught. Most of what I learned as an instructor came in my first six months of giving dual. My two cents.

 

[IP076]

As far as I know, the only difference between FSDO and a DPE is that a DPE is allowed to give dual. If FSDO catches you busting a manuver before you do, they have to fail you. Of course if you catch it, you have the option of asking to redo it. A DPE has a lot more flexability when it comes to things like that. As long as you know your stuff it shouldn't be a problem. I took my ride with FSDO, the guy had on cowboy boots and jeans. A buddy of mine had his guy show up in a tie. Kinda the luck of the draw unless you can get the name of someone you know is good.

Also, FSDO is FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, part of your message is correct....the only difference is the FSDO is FREE.

The PTS does not differentiate between FSDO Inspector and DPE or Training Center Evaluator. The PTS is pretty black and white. As far as redoing a manuever, it is entirely up to the Examiner not the Applicant. If you're doing a steep turn and end up breaking it off due to traffic, of if you somehow get rocked due to severe turbulence, the Examiner may ask you to repeat the task.

Essentially, the Practical Test is the same no matter who is giving it.

As for passrates, I dont have the hard numbers in front of me(they're back at work), but the National Average CFI Pass Rate was higher with the FSDO Inspectors than with DPEs.

 

[acaTerry]

I remember my CFI initial. Took it at XXXX flight school at Sky Harbor in PHX. The guy had a rep of failing applicants from outside schools.
As soon as I sat down he commented that he didn't like the model plane I brought with, and that he doesn't believe I'd ever actually use it.
The oral went on for 4.5 hours, then the flight was about 2.0. He told me to do a flaps up, soft field landing on the numbers with a short approach (this is not even in the PTS). Of course, in the CE172 RG, good luck on that.
Anyway, I decided to go around and he failed me for "lack of instructional knowledge". His reasoning was that a good CFI always gets it right on the first try, and that a go around is a sign of poor instructional knowledge. Oh well, my CFI went beserk and called the FSDO, who though sympathetic could not do anything. Soooooooooooo, I rented the plane again, paid another 250 bucks, did one landing and was a new CFI.
I think the guy died in a plane crash a few yrs ago.