Ken Cobb DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner • (Kenneth Sebastian Cobb)
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Ken Cobb? GougeHub has a first-hand Ken Cobb checkride gouge report from a pilot who tested. Read oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights.
↓ View 1 available gouge reportKen Cobb examines at O22, and the one report on file covers both an IFR and a multi-engine checkride with him. The applicant described a teaching style built on real scenarios rather than rote recall. Ken wants you to think through problems out loud, so come ready to explain your reasoning.
The oral covered weather and fuel planning in detail. Expect questions on lost communications procedures and how you would handle them. For the multi-engine portion, Ken focused on VMC factors and the critical engine. He also pushed into performance calculations, so know how to run those numbers for your aircraft.
The flight portion was thoroughly documented and tied closely to the scenarios from the oral. Ken set up engine failures during the multi-engine ride and watched how the applicant worked through them. Approaches were part of the flight, along with stalls and a series of landings.
The applicant noted that Ken has clear preferences and a definite way he likes things done. Knowing those preferences ahead of time helps the ride go smoother. Solid fuel planning and performance work will set you up well for the oral.
As of this writing, only one report is on file for Ken Cobb. It is detailed and useful for both an instrument and a multi-engine applicant. If you fly with him soon, study the weather, fuel, lost comms, VMC, and critical engine material, then be ready to fly engine-out scenarios and clean approaches. Adding your own report after the ride will help the next pilot prepare.
Examiner Patterns
Preliminary insight — based on 1 report
- Oral style: 1 pilot reported the examiner kept the oral conversational
- Navigation tools: 1 pilot reported the examiner accepted ForeFlight for weather only
- Logbook review: 1 pilot reported the examiner reviewed endorsements specifically
- Density altitude: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not cover density altitude
- Go/no-go discussion: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not cover go/no-go
- Equipment failure simulated: 1 pilot reported the examiner simulated an engine failure
- Preflight briefing: 1 pilot reported the examiner gave a brief overview before flight
Based on self-reported pilot submissions. Data methodology
Ratings & Checkride Types
- CMEL (Commercial Multi-Engine)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Fresno FSDO
Status: Active Designee
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Land
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- Ground Instructor Examiner
- Military Competency Examiner
- Flight Instructor Rating 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.