Cody Reynolds DPE Checkride Gouges

Oral Emphasis

Reynolds puts significant emphasis on chart reading and symbology. Expect to spend time on sectional charts with detailed questions about what specific symbols mean and how they apply to your planned flight. He also covers weather — not just theory, but practical interpretation and how it affects your go/no-go decisions and in-flight choices.

Common Questions

• Questions about specific chart symbology — identifying airspace boundaries, terrain features, and airport information directly from a sectional.
• Scenario-driven weather questions that tie back to real-world decision-making rather than rote memorization.

Practical Focus

The flight portion is where real-world conditions come into play. Pilots reported encountering actual cloud layers during the checkride, which turned the flight into a genuine test of aeronautical decision-making — not just a scripted run through the PTS maneuvers. Be prepared for Reynolds to see how you handle unexpected weather in the air, including diversions or altitude changes to maintain VFR.

Examiner Style

Reynolds is described as conversational rather than formal. He tends to guide discussion in a way that feels more like a debrief with a fellow pilot than a rigid interrogation. That said, don't mistake the relaxed tone for softness — he digs deep when he wants to understand your knowledge on a topic, especially chart interpretation.

What Surprised Pilots

• The depth of chart symbology questions caught pilots off guard — this isn't a casual glance at the sectional, so study the legend and obscure symbols.
• An actual cloud encounter during the flight meant pilots had to demonstrate real ADM under pressure, not just talk about it on the ground. If weather is marginal on your checkride day, be ready for him to use it as a teaching and evaluation moment.