Brian Sheatz DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner • (Brian Jay Sheatz)
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Brian Sheatz? GougeHub has a first-hand Brian Sheatz checkride gouge report from a pilot who tested. Read oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights.
↓ View 1 available gouge reportAs of this writing, only one report sits on file for Brian Sheatz, and it comes from a CFII applicant. That single account points to a clear theme. Sheatz expects you to teach, not just recite. He wants the instructor mindset on display from the start.
The report stresses that Sheatz emphasizes technical concepts and wants you to master them. This is a CFII ride, so the instrument material carries weight. You should be ready to explain the why behind the concepts, then break them down the way you would for a real student. Knowing the answer is not enough. Showing that you can teach it is the goal.
The flight portion rewards control. The report says to maintain smooth control throughout. Sheatz appears to value steady, consistent handling rather than rough corrections. Fly the aircraft with care and keep your inputs clean from takeoff to the end.
Put plainly, the report frames Sheatz as an examiner who blends teaching ability with technical depth and flying precision. Walk in ready to instruct, ready to explain the hard concepts, and ready to hold smooth control under pressure. That combination is what the applicant pointed to as the key to passing.
One report cannot cover every oral topic or maneuver Sheatz might pursue. Treat this as a starting point, not the whole picture. If you fly with him soon, come back and add your own write-up so the next CFII candidate has more to study. The more accounts on file, the sharper the prep becomes for everyone.
Examiner Patterns
Preliminary insight — based on 1 report
- Oral style: 1 pilot reported the examiner kept the oral conversational
- Navigation tools: 1 pilot reported the examiner required paper charts
- Density altitude: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not cover density altitude
- Go/no-go discussion: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not cover go/no-go
- Equipment failure simulated: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not simulate an equipment failure
- Preflight briefing: 1 pilot reported the examiner gave a full preflight briefing
Based on self-reported pilot submissions. Data methodology
Ratings & Checkride Types
- CFII (Instrument Flight Instructor)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Houston FSDO
Status: Active Designee
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- ATPE: Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- Flight Instructor Examiner: Airplane Single Engine, Airplane Multi-Engine
- TYPE: LR-45
- Flight Proficiency Examiner
- Military Competency Examiner
- Ground Instructor Examiner
- Flight Instructor Rating Examiner
- Balloon Airman Examiner
- SMFT
Source: FAA Designee Management System · Verify on FAA.gov →
Transparency Disclaimer: This page summarizes patterns reported by applicants. It is not an endorsement, prediction, or guarantee of checkride outcome. Every checkride varies based on the applicant and circumstances.