Elliot Neal Brandt DPE Checkride Gouges

Two reports are on file for Elliot Neal Brandt, one from a CFI applicant and one from a CFII applicant. One applicant described him as a really nice guy who comes off a little intimidating at first. That fear melts away once you begin. The full day ran from 8:23am to about 2:30pm, roughly six hours, with a 1.3 flight and a four hour oral broken up by plenty of breaks.

Checkin is fast, about five minutes if your passwords are set. The oral started with runway incursions tied to risk management. One applicant followed the backseat pilot PowerPoint and pulled in Task F concepts on planning, briefing, and reviewing taxi operations. Emphasize safety and expect him to go off on a related tangent. Point out something connected and he stays happy.

Next came regulations and endorsements, kept purely conversational from getting a student license through taking the checkride. Telling a story about endorsements went over well. The applicant then chose flight controls and systems for the last of Area of Operation II. Airspace requirements and rules came up too, worked through on a VFR sectional. Airworthiness from Area of Operation III followed after a break, kept simple with a PowerPoint.

For teaching, one applicant taught chandelles, but Brandt commented that everyone teaches that, so he still makes you do eights on pylons. Bring a lesson plan and a five box document. He walks through what to do before heading to the plane.

On the preflight he followed the applicant like a hawk. Verbalize the whole checklist and explain why you do each item. The only question asked was what the stall strips are for. The CFII report notes an informal, flight-focused oral that rewards detailed instructional materials, with one minor point on holding procedure selection during the approach sequence.