Bruce Thompson DPE Checkride Gouges

Bruce runs a CFI checkride that leans hard on the fundamentals of instruction. All three reports on file describe an oral packed with FOI topics like human needs, defense mechanisms, barriers to communication, and domains of learning. He asks about characteristics of effective questions, questions to avoid, and how you deliver an assessment. One applicant said he wants every negative result tied back to the ACS or syllabus, so you come across as the messenger and not the judge. Expect questions on instructor ethics, professionalism, and how you handle a student who is not learning a maneuver from you.

He weaves teaching risk management through the whole event. The reports mention the PAVE checklist, external pressures, FRATs, and common flight instructor risks. One pilot covered hypoxia symptoms and causes, CO poisoning, fatigue, dehydration, hazardous attitudes, and alcohol rules under 91.17. He also asks about oxygen requirements and why day and night supplemental oxygen altitudes differ.

The regulation and document side is broad. Be ready to determine airworthiness from maintenance logs, plus supplemental type certificates, special flight permits, and recurring ADs. Topics include runway incursions, hotspots, pilot-controlled lighting clicks, ATC light signals, airspace classes, and right traffic pattern rules. Know Parts 1, 61, and 91, AC 90-66C, pre-solo endorsements, logbook records, the TSA endorsement, and medical validity. Weight and balance, effects of CG, plotting a course on a sectional, and weather information also came up.

The flight runs short and clean. One pilot flew normal and short field takeoffs and landings, slow flight, a power off stall to a secondary stall, steep turns, chandelles, eights on pylons, turns around a point, emergency descent, and a simulated engine out. He expects you to teach and narrate while you fly.

Across the board, pilots called Bruce an excellent, fair examiner who keeps the flight straightforward.