Jay Lawrence DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner • (Jack Caldwell Lawrence)
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Jay Lawrence? GougeHub has 2 first-hand Jay Lawrence checkride gouge reports from pilots who tested. Review oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights for CPL and PPL checkrides.
↓ View 2 available gouge reportsTwo reports are on file for Jay Lawrence, one from a commercial applicant and one from a private pilot. Both point to a thorough oral and an examiner who keeps the conversation moving. Lawrence talks a lot, so you should expect a long session and a full day at the airport.
The oral runs comprehensive on both rides. The commercial pilot described a detailed breakdown that leaned hard on aircraft systems. Fuel system drawings came up on both checkrides, so practice sketching yours from memory. Bring organized systems drawings to the table and have them ready before you sit down.
Lawrence tests your weaknesses on purpose. The private pilot noted that the examiner probes soft spots until they are clear. Communication skills also get tested, so explain your thinking out loud and answer with structure. If a topic feels shaky in your prep, expect Lawrence to find it.
The flight portion features pattern work in gusty wind. The commercial applicant called the gusty pattern finale worth studying, which tells you crosswind and gusty technique matter here. Tighten your wind correction, your power management, and your approach speeds before the ride. Be ready to handle the airplane when the wind is not cooperating.
The short version: prepare your systems knowledge cold, draw the fuel system clean, and sharpen your gusty landings. Talk through your reasoning so your communication shines, and pack snacks for a long day. If you fly with Lawrence next week, study your weak areas first because that is where the questions go.
Examiner Patterns
Early reports (2) suggest
- Oral style: 2 of 2 applicants report the examiner kept the oral conversational
- Logbook review: 1 of 2 applicants report the examiner took a quick glance at the logbook
- Density altitude: 2 of 2 applicants report the examiner did not cover density altitude
- Go/no-go discussion: 2 of 2 applicants report the examiner did not cover go/no-go
- Equipment failure simulated: 2 of 2 applicants report the examiner simulated another type of equipment failure
- Preflight briefing: 1 of 2 applicants report the examiner gave no preflight briefing
- When ACS standard not met: 1 of 2 applicants report the examiner (no ACS standard was exceeded in these reports)
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 determine if your aircraft is airworthy right now? Walk me through the required inspections.”
⚠ Common Pitfall: Use a real airworthiness checklist — there are too many details to hold in your head. Not captured in AV1ATE: all ADs must be complied with, and life-limited parts must be current (e.g., a Cirrus parachute). A classic trap is an aircraft current on its annual and 100-hour, but with an expired AD — making it unairworthy. An STC is an amendment to the type certificate and carries its own airworthiness requirements.
All 37 questions, ranked by frequency, with Examiner Insights and Common Pitfalls from 113 real checkrides — written and reviewed by Andrew Gray, CFI-II.
Get the Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide — $14 →7-day money-back guarantee · Instant PDF download
Ratings & Checkride Types
- CPL (Commercial Pilot)
- PPL (Private Pilot)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Little Rock FSDO
Status: Active Designee
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter
- ATPE: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Sport Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land
- Flight Instructor Examiner: Airplane Single Engine, Airplane Multi-Engine, Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Flight Instructor Examiner — Instrument: Airplane Single Engine, Airplane Multi-Engine, Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Military Competency Examiner
- Ground Instructor Examiner
- Flight Instructor Rating Examiner
- Balloon Airman Examiner
- SPFIE
- SMFT
Source: FAA Designee Management System · Verify on FAA.gov →
Other DPEs in North Florida
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.