Alex Silva DPE Checkride Gouges

Oral Emphasis

Alex's oral is heavily centered on cross-country flight planning and the ability to explain your work. Expect to walk through a full paper nav log line by line, explain how you got your numbers, and demonstrate you understand the difference between TAS and CAS/IAS — he's particular about which one charts use. Weather briefings are a consistent focus: he'll have you go through METARs, TAFs, surface analysis charts, frontal systems, pressure systems (isobars and what it means when they're close together), and types of fog (know which type is most common in your local area). Weight and balance comes up every time, including the effects of forward vs. aft CG on flight characteristics and how Va changes with weight. Systems questions lean heavily toward emergency response — not how a system works, but what you'll do when it fails or malfunctions (e.g., engine fire on startup, total electrical failure with no comms or transponder). Airworthiness verification is a consistent opener: he'll want to see you go through the aircraft logbooks and demonstrate you can confirm the airplane is legal to fly, including AD compliance and inspection currency.

Common Questions

• Walk through how the aircraft is airworthy using the logbooks — inspections, ADs, required documents (ARROW/SPARROW).
• Scenario-based currency and proficiency questions (e.g., you haven't flown in three years — what do you need to do?).
• Calculate Va for the actual weight of you and the examiner, not just the max gross weight figure.
• Explain your cross-country route, nav log inputs, fuel planning, and chosen fuel stops.
• Respond to emergency scenarios: engine fire during start, total electrical failure, system malfunctions — with emphasis on checklists and memory items.
• Read and interpret a raw METAR, explain frontal depictions on a surface analysis chart, and identify fog types.
• Explain CG effects: what happens to performance and handling with an aft or forward CG.
• Required pilot documents, required aircraft documents, required equipment for day and night VFR (ATOMATOFLAMES, FLAPS), and what to do when equipment is inoperable.
• Identify and explain items from a sectional chart airport description (field elevation, tower hours, etc.).
• Light gun signals and procedures for entering controlled airspace with a total comms failure.

Practical Focus

The flight typically begins with a short-field takeoff and departure on your planned cross-country route. Expect an engine failure scenario early in the climbout — he'll pull power and want to hear your emergency plan, referencing what you briefed during runup. You'll track your route to at least the first checkpoint or top of climb before he transitions to a diversion scenario (one pilot reported being asked to navigate to a nearby VOR). Maneuvers reported include steep turns (at least one direction), slow flight transitioning to a power-off stall, power-on stalls with a bank, and unusual attitude recovery. Multiple pilots reported instrument failures simulated during unusual attitudes — he may fail the glass panel (e.g., G5s) and require recovery using backup round gauges. Landings at the home field include short-field, soft-field, and normal landings. Notably, multiple reports indicate he did NOT ask for a slip-to-land, no-flap landing, or go-around, though this may vary. One pilot reported having their iPad "failed" for navigation back to the airport. He pays attention to your preflight — be thorough, know your counterweights and their purpose, and reference hot spots on the airport diagram.

Examiner Style

Across all reports, Alex is consistently described as relaxed, patient, fair, and conversational. He prefers the applicant to lead the discussion rather than waiting to be quizzed — present your flight plan, walk through your weather brief, and volunteer information proactively. The oral is open-book: you can use the ACS, FAR/AIM, ForeFlight, official FAA sources, and even Google in a pinch, though heavy reliance on lookups signals you aren't prepared. He encourages breaks — multiple pilots took walks, ate food, or just regrouped between oral and flight portions with no pressure to rush. He starts with small talk to put you at ease and genuinely wants to know your aviation story. He looks at the big picture of your performance rather than fixating on small slip-ups, but don't confuse his easygoing demeanor with low standards — he expects competence and will notice gaps. Expect the oral to run 2–4 hours depending on how much you lead the conversation.

What Surprised Pilots

• The oral felt much shorter and more relaxed than expected — more like a conversation with a fellow pilot than a formal examination. Multiple pilots noted the time flew by.
• He asks you to calculate Va for the actual flight weight (you plus the examiner), not just reference the POH number — have the formula or method ready.
• He may fail your glass panel instruments during unusual attitudes, requiring recovery on backup steam gauges. Know where your backups are and be ready to use them.
• He strongly prefers using the primer over pumping the throttle for engine start — he'll note it if you pump the throttle.
• He emphasizes checklists constantly — hold them in your hand and reference them visibly, even if you know the steps by heart. Checklist usage is actively evaluated.
• He cares more about what you'd DO in an emergency than how you'd explain the underlying system — keep answers action-oriented and reference your checklists.
• Several pilots were surprised he didn't ask for a go-around, no-flap landing, or forward slip during the landing phase.
• He may point out taxi light colors or airport features during ground operations as informal knowledge checks — know your airport markings and lighting.