Kevin Rothfus DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner • (Kevin Walter Rothfus)
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Kevin Rothfus? GougeHub has 2 first-hand Kevin Rothfus checkride gouge reports from pilots who tested. Review oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights for CFI and CFII checkrides.
↓ View 2 available gouge reportsKevin Rothfus has two reports on file, one from a CFI applicant and one from a CFII applicant. They give a clear picture of what he values. He wants original materials, FAA resources, and creative instruction methods. Bring your own lesson plans and show that you can teach, not just recite.
The CFI ride was comprehensive and built around teaching ability. Rothfus expects you to use FAA resources and explain concepts in your own way. Prepare to demonstrate creative instruction methods rather than reading from a script. Have your original materials ready and know them cold.
The instrument ride focused on specific oral topics and approach procedures. The applicant covered real flight scenarios during the flight portion. Study your approach plates and know how to brief and fly them. Be ready to talk through instrument situations the way they happen in actual flight.
Across both rides, the pattern is practical and grounded. Rothfus wants you to connect knowledge to real flying. He pairs oral discussion with scenarios you might face in the air. Walk in with FAA references at hand and confidence in your own teaching style.
Both reports describe thorough checkrides, so plan for full coverage of the standards. Bring your original materials, your approach procedures, and your scenario-based answers. Show that you can instruct and apply what you know. That preparation lines up with what these two applicants reported.
Examiner Patterns
Early reports (2) suggest
- Oral style: 2 of 2 applicants report the examiner mixed recall and scenario questions
- 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 discussed go/no-go as part of a scenario
- Equipment failure simulated: 2 of 2 applicants report the examiner did not simulate an equipment failure
- Preflight briefing: 1 of 2 applicants report the examiner gave no preflight briefing
Based on self-reported pilot submissions. Data methodology
Ratings & Checkride Types
- CFI (Certified Flight Instructor)
- CFII (Instrument Flight Instructor)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Delegation And Resource Branch, Afg-970
Status: Active Designee
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Land
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Land
- ATPE: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- Flight Instructor Examiner — Instrument: Airplane Multi-Engine, Airplane Single Engine
- Flight Instructor Examiner: Airplane Multi-Engine, Airplane Single Engine
- TYPE: SF-50, RA-390S, EMB-500, CE-525, CE-510S, CE-510, CE-500, RA-390, HA-420, EMB-505, CE-525S
- PPE: SF-50, CE-510, CE-500, RA-390, HS-125, HA-420, EMB-505, EMB-500, CE-525S, CE-510S, CE-525, RA-390S
- Balloon Airman Examiner
- Ground Instructor Examiner
- Military Competency Examiner
- Flight Proficiency Examiner
- ACR: FIRC
- Flight Instructor Rating Examiner
Source: FAA Designee Management System · Verify on FAA.gov →
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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.