Jordan Bartel DPE Checkride Gouges

Three reports are on file for Jordan Bartel, covering an IFR, a CFI, and a PPL ride. The common thread is a calm, friendly examiner who works with you rather than against you. The IFR applicant said he handed over a paper questionnaire and spent the document check first, then about 40 minutes on the oral. He gave hints when answers went sideways, and he came across as someone trying to pass you.

On the IFR oral, expect a heavy focus on instrument currency. He asked what an instrument rating lets you do, then walked through the six approaches, holding, and tracking tasks inside six calendar months. He pressed on what to do with only four approaches logged and asked for the last date you stay current. He also covered RAIM failure enroute, the LOI loss of integrity indication, and the MON airport system. Other topics included who qualifies as a safety pilot, who can give an IPC, and flying in icing conditions.

The CFI report points straight at scenario flying and priorities in the cockpit. Traffic avoidance and regulatory knowledge mattered most on that ride. Be ready to show how you set priorities and handle real situations, not just recite rules.

The PPL report gives a detailed oral and flight breakdown with specific questions and maneuvers. The applicant described Bartel as surprisingly lenient, letting minor errors slide rather than failing you on small slips. That matches the IFR account of an examiner who gives hints and wants you to succeed.

Walk in knowing your currency rules cold, your GPS and RAIM systems, and your safety pilot and IPC requirements. Fly the airplane first and explain your reasoning out loud. He rewards clear thinking and steady priorities over perfect recitation.