Gudrun Davis DPE Checkride Gouges

Oral Emphasis

Gudrun Davis consistently focuses on three core topic areas during the oral: airspace requirements (cloud clearances and visibility minimums across all classes), light gun signals, and runway/taxiway signs and markings. Beyond those favorites, she covers a broad spread of subjects including aircraft systems (hydraulics, electrical, constant speed prop, landing gear, engine type), weather hazards (icing, wind shear, microbursts, AIRMETs and SIGMETs), aeronautical decision-making (PAVE and IMSAFE), and weight and balance concepts (forward vs. aft CG effects).

Common Questions

• Privileges and limitations of the certificate being tested
• Required documents — both personal and aircraft (ARROW)
• Performance chart interpretation: fuel burn, KTAS, and related POH figures — she expects you to reference the POH directly
• Why some Class E airspace starts at 700 AGL
• When and why you'd request Special VFR, and the associated minimums
• Cloud clearance and visibility requirements across different airspace classes
• ADS-B and Mode C transponder requirements
• How to handle icing and what happens if the air intake becomes blocked
• What to do if a passenger is hyperventilating
• Dangers of using cabin heat (carbon monoxide concerns)
• Overview of the constant speed propeller system

Examiner Style

Gudrun Davis is described as conversational and straightforward. She does not ask trick questions and stays direct and to the point. She works from a paper checklist to ensure she covers all required topics, which means she may jump between subject areas rather than following a strictly linear flow. Pilots should not be thrown off by topic changes — it's just how she tracks her coverage. She is welcoming early in the morning and starts promptly by reviewing the logbook and IACRA before moving into the oral.

What Surprised Pilots

• The breadth of systems questions — she touched on hydraulics, electrical, engine type, prop type, and landing gear in addition to the more commonly expected airspace and weather topics.
• She encourages candidates to pull out the POH and reference it during performance chart questions rather than expecting everything from memory.
• The oral felt efficient and methodical despite the wide range of topics covered, thanks to her checklist-based approach.