John Hardy DPE Checkride Gouges

Most of these reports cover the instrument ride, with the oral built around a cross-country from KMYF to KONT using KVCV as the alternate. John Hardy starts by checking your logbook, written test, medical, certificate, ID, and IACRA application. He wants logbook entries tabbed for totals and the minimum experience to apply. The aircraft logs matter too, so know how to find the annual, ELT, transponder, pitot static, VOR, and AD compliance yourself. One pilot warned not to trust Schedulemaster's status sheet for ADs.

Performance and planning carry a lot of weight. Expect to show weight and balance, takeoff and landing distances, and fuel for destination plus alternate plus 45 minutes. He likes conservative numbers, so round field altitude and temperature up for safety. He pushes hard on climb performance, comparing the POH chart against the ODP gradient of 200 feet per nautical mile. He also asks when an alternate is required, alternate minimums, and the fuel rules.

The systems oral covers the six pack, gyroscopic instruments, magnetic compass errors, pitot static failures, and the alternate static source. Icing comes up, including pitot and static port icing and your course of action. GPS topics include RAIM, WAAS, and the enroute, terminal, and approach modes. One pilot got a detailed lost comms discussion built around AVEF and MEA and why predictability to ATC matters.

On the flight he watches and asks questions rather than expecting narration. He warned one pilot not to talk too much and miss ATC calls. Expect a partial panel failure, often the PFD or a G5, leaving you on backups. He wants altitude and DME verified at the final approach fix regardless of glideslope. Have a solid passenger briefing ready and watch for distractions at glideslope intercept.

The MEI and CFII reports show heavy emphasis on V-speeds, OEI procedures, and thorough lesson plans with clear visuals.