Darryl Grace DPE Checkride Gouges

Examiner Style

Darryl is businesslike and thorough. He sets up with both a laptop and an iPad — one with the ACS, the other apparently with his own structured question bank — and works methodically through topics. He's not unfriendly, but he's not there to chat. If your answer is shallow or relies on rote memorization without understanding, he'll give you a look and keep pressing. He expects you to explain concepts in your own words with real-world examples, not just rattle off mnemonics. Pilots who demonstrated genuine teaching ability and practical knowledge found him fair and reasonable; those leaning heavily on memorized lists found the oral more challenging.

What to Expect

• FOI knowledge is tested directly on CFI rides — he wants depth, not just acronym recall
• For instrument add-ons, expect scenario-based teaching where he plays the student and you drive the lesson
• Strong emphasis on regulations, endorsements, and being able to reference authoritative sources on the spot
• He values practical application: why you made a decision, not just what you chose

What Surprised Pilots

• He may ask you to close your binder early and work from memory — don't rely on having references as a crutch for foundational knowledge
• Several pilots noted he pushed deeper on FOI topics than expected, asking for multiple real-world examples per concept
• He occasionally asks questions where admitting you don't know and demonstrating how to find the answer is the right move