Glen Smith DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner • (Glenn Walter Smith)
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Glen Smith? GougeHub has a first-hand Glen Smith checkride gouge report from a pilot who tested. Read oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights.
↓ View 1 available gouge reportAs of this writing, only one report is on file for Glen Smith. It gives a useful read on how the examiner runs a private pilot checkride. The tone is relaxed, which helps if nerves tend to get the better of you. Still, the relaxed style does not mean the standards drop.
The biggest point to prepare for is the written test. Glen Smith focuses on the questions you missed on the knowledge exam. So go back through your test report and study every code you got wrong. Be ready to explain those topics out loud and show you understand them now.
Beyond the missed questions, the examiner covers core knowledge areas for the private pilot oral. The report does not list exact questions, so treat the standard ACS subjects as fair game. Know your systems, regulations, weather, and cross country planning well.
One specific skill stands out from the report: paper E6B proficiency. Glen Smith wants to see you work the flight computer by hand. Practice your time, speed, distance, fuel burn, and wind correction problems on the paper wheel. Do not rely on an app or electronic E6B to carry you through.
The report does not break down the flight portion or name specific maneuvers. So plan to fly every task in the private pilot ACS to standard. The relaxed manner should help you settle in once the airplane is moving. If you have flown with Glen Smith, add your own write up so the next pilot gets a fuller picture of the oral and flight.
Examiner Patterns
Preliminary insight — based on 1 report
- Oral style: 1 pilot reported the examiner walked through ACS task areas sequentially
- Oral duration: 1 pilot reported — 1 to 1.5 hours
- Navigation tools: 1 pilot reported the examiner required paper charts
- Density altitude: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not cover density altitude
- Equipment failure simulated: 1 pilot reported the examiner simulated an engine failure
Based on self-reported pilot submissions. Data methodology
Analyzed across 113 site-wide Private Pilot checkrides in the GougeHub database, the same questions keep coming up. Here’s one of the 37 in the guide:
“How do you calculate your takeoff and landing distances for today’s flight?”
⚠ Common Pitfall: Read the chart limitations closely. They often say things like “assumes a paved surface” or “assumes 10° of flaps for takeoff.” Use less flap or a grass strip and the chart may no longer apply.
All 37 questions, ranked by frequency, with Examiner Insights and Common Pitfalls from 113 real checkrides — written and reviewed by Andrew Gray, CFI-II.
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Ratings & Checkride Types
- PPL (Private Pilot)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Spokane FSDO
Status: Active Designee
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Multi-Engine Sea, Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Sea
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Multi-Engine Sea, Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Sea
- ATPE: Airplane Single Engine Sea
- Sport Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Sea
- Flight Instructor Rating Examiner
- Flight Proficiency Examiner
- Military Competency Examiner
- Ground Instructor Examiner
- RPE
- Balloon Airman Examiner
Source: FAA Designee Management System · Verify on FAA.gov →
Transparency Disclaimer: This page summarizes patterns reported by applicants. It is not an endorsement, prediction, or guarantee of checkride outcome. Every checkride varies based on the applicant and circumstances.