Dave Burton DPE Checkride Gouges

Oral Emphasis

Reports indicate Dave covers a broad range of oral topics you'd expect for the private pilot checkride. Pilots noted he digs into specifics rather than staying surface-level, though the gouge doesn't call out a single dominant topic area. Be prepared to discuss the full spread of PPL knowledge areas with enough depth to show real understanding.

Practical Focus

The flight portion is where Dave's checkride really stands out for its thoroughness. Pilots reported a full sequence that includes:

• A diversion scenario — be ready to plan and execute a reroute on the fly.
• An engine-out procedure taken all the way to an actual landing, not just a simulated go-around. Know your emergency procedures cold and be comfortable committing to a field.
• Multiple ground-reference and field maneuvers — expect more than one or two; he wants to see a range of skills.

The flight covers a lot of ground in one session, so staying organized and managing your workload throughout is important.

Examiner Style

Based on the gouge, Dave comes across as a straightforward examiner who keeps things moving. The checkride flows from oral to flight in a structured sequence, and he appears to let pilots work through scenarios rather than interrupting constantly. There's nothing in the reports suggesting he's adversarial, but he clearly expects solid performance across the board — the breadth of tasks in the flight portion alone signals he's thorough.

What Surprised Pilots

• The engine-out scenario going all the way to an actual landing caught attention — some pilots may expect a simulated approach only, so be mentally prepared to commit to the field.
• The number of maneuvers packed into the flight was notable. Don't assume you'll only see a handful of items — Dave covers a full spread.