Finding a suitable FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) in your area, to administer your Private Pilot Practical Test is a crucial step in becoming a Private Pilot. There are times when it can be difficult to find a DPE in the local area with availability to conduct the practical test in a reasonable amount of time.
DPEs that are located further away from your local airfield may be used to conduct the practical test but It is important to note that it is East Coast Aero Club’s policy that Private Pilot candidates (student pilots) schedule their Private Pilot practical test to be conducted at the airport they were trained at (Bedford, Norwood or Nashua).
- If scheduling an examiner who is not in the area of of Bedford, Norwood or Nashua you should enquire as to whether the examiner is willing to travel to where you trained (Bedford, Norwood or Nashua).
- If the examiner is not willing to travel to your home base airfield, ask them to administer the test at an airfield nearby to your home airport.
- Student pilots testing for the Private Certificate and student pilots flying cross-countries are only allowed to fly to and test at airfields that are no less than 3,000’ long and no less than 75’ wide.
- It is preferable that Private Pilot practical tests are carried out at airports with longer and wider runways with at least one crossing runway to help preclude cancelling tests due to crosswinds.
- ECAC pre-determined cross-country routes are to be used.
- Practical tests must be scheduled by contacting a minimum of 3 examiners.
- Students are not permitted to schedule a Private Pilot practical test without the knowledge of your CFI! (this normally results in issues!)
Designated Pilot Examiners may be found by searching:
- Lists at ECAC
- FAA Website
- CFI