I’m authorized to conduct the following FAA practical tests (all in airplanes):
- Private pilot single and multiengine land
- Instrument rating – airplane
- Commercial pilot single and multiengine land
- Airline Transport Pilot (multiengine land only)
- Flight Instructor – Instrument Airplane (add-on)
- Flight Instructor – Multiengine Airplane (add-on)
- Flight Instructor – Airplane Single-engine (add-on only)
I am also authorized to provide Flight Instructor Renewals, Military Pilot Competency evaluation, Foreign License verification, and Remote Pilot certificates.
Want to know more about the experience? See what other applicants are saying.
Note: Applicants are welcome to furnish a tailwheel airplane for the practical test.
Updated May 26, 2019…
As an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner working in the Teterboro FSDO district, I generally conduct practical tests in the Northeast region. Since I reside in northern New Jersey, my primary service airports are:
- Morristown (MMU)
- Caldwell (CDW)
- Lincoln Park (N07)
I also travel (free of charge) to the following airports:
- Blairstown (1N7)
- Greenwood Lake (4N1)
If your airport isn’t listed, I do travel as needed to other airports in the NJ/western PA/southern NY area. Travel rates apply (see the “Policies” tab).
Due to the geographic boundaries on DPEs being lifted in late 2018, I am available to conduct FAA practical tests anywhere I may happen to be traveling. I travel periodically to Central Florida but other areas across the continental U.S. may also become available.
A successful practical test starts with preparation. Here are the items you’ll need to bring with you to your practical test. (Please expand each box for more information.)
Checkride Checklist
☑ Medical certificate / BasicMed
Either a current third class medical at minimum, or BasicMed (MEC within 24 months; must present certificate and valid U.S. driver license.)
☑ Valid knowledge test results
Original document if embossed seal is present (embossed seal only required for knowledge tests taken prior to January 13, 2020).
☑ IACRA applicant FTN & Application ID number or FAA Form 8710-1
IACRA is the strongly preferred method of application. See the Policies tab for more information.
☑ Photo/signature ID
U.S. driver license or passport (non U.S. citizens, please contact me first.)
☑ Current pilot certificate
Includes student pilot certificate as issued by the FAA.
☑ Flight time records (logbook)
Verify that you have logged the aeronautical experience requirements appropriate to the certificate/rating sought. Please organize your logbook prior to our appointment so that I can quickly determine your eligibility per the aeronautical experience requirements appropriate to the certificate or rating sought. “Sticky tabs” are recommended for paper logbooks. Electronic logbooks are welcome.
☑ Required instructor endorsements for certificate/rating sought
Review AC 61-65H with your flight instructor to ensure all of the required endorsements have been provided.
☑ Availability of aircraft certificates, records/logbooks and required documents
Prior to the oral portion of the practical test, a review of the maintenance records for the aircraft to be used will take place. Ensure AROW documents are on-board the aircraft prior to the practical test.
☑ Any prescribed “homework” (cross-country flight planning, Weight & Balance)
An accurate Weight and Balance is required for all practical tests.
☑ Examiner’s fee
Details in the Fees tab.
Personal equipment to bring:
- Current aeronautical charts appropriate for the certificate/rating sought
- Current AIM, FARs, Chart Supplement, and other appropriate FAA publications
- Computer (E6B)
- Plotter
- Headset
- View-limiting device (foggles, hood, etc.)
- POH or AFM for the aircraft to be used in the practical test
- A light snack and a bottle of water – it’s up to you!
| Fee schedule – May, 2023 (subject to change without notice) | |
| Initial Private Pilot – Airplane | $900.00 |
| Single-engine add-on rating | $900.00 |
| Multi-engine add-on rating | $900.00 |
| Instrument Rating – Airplane | $900.00 |
| Initial Commercial Pilot – Airplane | $900.00 |
| Airline Transport Pilot – Multiengine Land | $1000.00 |
| Flight Instructor – Airplane Single-engine (add-only) | $1100.00 |
| Flight Instructor – Airplane Multiengine (add-on only) | $1100.00 |
| Flight Instructor – Instrument Airplane (add-on only) | $1100.00 |
| – Mil-Comp – Foreign Pilot Conversion – CFI Renewal – SOE Removal | Contact me |
| UAS (Remote Pilot) | $195.00 |
| Retest (Within 60 days of Notice of Disapproval) | 50% of initial fee |
| Continuance (see additional info under Policies tab) | 50% of initial fee |
| Additional aircraft (for an additional aircraft used on a practical test) | $400.00 |
Payment
I accept cash (USD) and cashier’s check only. I do not accept credit cards or personal checks.
Travel
There is no travel cost associated with the following airports:
- Lincoln Park (N07)
- Morristown (MMU)
- Caldwell (CDW)
- Blairstown (1N7)
- Greenwood Lake (4N1)
If you’re unable to meet me for a practical test at these locations, I charge $1.00 per mile distance (round trip) from my office in Sparta, NJ. This applies for the New Jersey/western Pennsylvania/southern New York state areas.
Out of area tests
Tests outside my NE service area require individual consideration. In some cases I may be willing to travel to the applicant using my personal aircraft to administer a practical test. Or, I may already be traveling in a location near you. These are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Private area and internet connection
If I’m meeting you at a designated airport other than those listed above, you must provide a private area free of distractions and a reliable internet connection.
Retest fees
The posted fee schedule applies only to retests for applicants who received a Notice of Disapproval on a previous practical test from me. Applicants seeking a retest after receiving a Notice of Disapproval from another examiner will be charged the full fee for the Practical Test regardless of tasks already completed on the first attempt, unless otherwise specified.
Continuance fees
In some cases I will not charge a fee to continue the test (within 60 days) in the event that a Letter of Discontinuance is issued (see the Unavoidable reasons tab, below.)
I recognize that sometimes, despite the best of intentions, issues which may cause a discontinuance are simply out of our hands. Therefore, I do not charge to continue a practical test at a later date (within 60 days of the Letter of Discontinuance) for the following reasons:
- Unforecast weather
- Maintenance issue develops during the checkride
- Unexpected illness
- Other reasonable circumstances – at the examiner’s discretion
In my experience as a Designee, I have found that the vast majority of discontinuances are avoidable. Unless other arrangements are made, it is the applicant’s responsibility to cancel the practical test in advance if there are concerns over weather or other factors. In the event that a Letter of Discontinuance must be issued, I will charge a “continuance” fee for the following reasons:
- Weather is not suitable to the applicant despite checking forecast day prior, morning prior, etc.
- Airman presents unairworthy aircraft (issue detected after start of practical test)
- Example: aircraft out of annual or 100 hour inspection.
- Applicant chooses to discontinue for non-urgent personal reason
- Others – at examiner’s discretion.
Let’s work together to avoid this situation.
Rescheduling fee
A rescheduling fee may be charged due to the following:
- The airman’s logbook entries do not demonstrate that he/she has met the aeronautical experience requirements for the desired certificate or rating
- Applicant arrives without required documents including the aircraft maintenance records, proper endorsements, or identification
- Applicant presents unairworthy aircraft (issue detected prior to start of practical test – i.e. aircraft out of annual or 100 hour inspection or other “easily avoidable” airworthiness issue.
I will make all reasonable efforts to help rectify the situation before resorting to rescheduling the practical test.
Paper 8710-1 fee
IACRA is the preferred method of application by the FAA, and me: it is easier to use, more accurate, and quite reliable. If you choose to use submit a paper 8710-1 application I charge a $100.00 fee. (If we have internet connectivity problems, or in the unlikely event the IACRA system goes down and we must revert to paper, there will be no charge.)