Leo Bell DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner • (Leo M Bell)
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Leo Bell? GougeHub has a first-hand Leo Bell checkride gouge report from a pilot who tested. Read oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights.
↓ View 1 available gouge reportAs of this writing, only one report is on file for Leo Bell, and it covers an IFR checkride. The pilot described Leo as a fair examiner. That word matters here. The ride tested real instrument skills without trick questions or surprises.
On the flight side, the report points to two areas worth your prep time. Leo had the pilot perform a VOR check. Know how to do this and where to log it before you show up. Leo also brought up unusual attitude recovery, so be ready to recover by instruments alone.
The pilot said Leo covers everything between those two points. Treat the full IFR ACS as fair game rather than guessing at a short list. Walk in ready for the standard instrument tasks and the systems that support them.
The strongest signal from this report is that Leo's exam is specific. The pilot felt able to prepare seriously because the topics were concrete. That is good news for anyone who studies the right material. Bring a clean grasp of your navigation equipment and your instrument procedures.
This is one pilot's account, so the picture is still forming. If you fly with Leo soon, your write-up would help the next applicant. For now, focus your study on the VOR check, unusual attitudes, and broad IFR readiness, and you will match what this report describes.
Examiner Patterns
Preliminary insight — based on 1 report
- Oral style: 1 pilot reported the examiner mixed recall and scenario questions
- Oral duration: 1 pilot reported — 1.5 to 2 hours
- Flight duration: 1 pilot reported — 1 to 1.5 hours
- Density altitude: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not cover density altitude
- Go/no-go discussion: 1 pilot reported the examiner discussed go/no-go as part of a scenario
- Equipment failure simulated: 1 pilot reported the examiner simulated a radio failure
Based on self-reported pilot submissions. Data methodology
Ratings & Checkride Types
- IFR (Instrument Rating)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Delegation And Resource Branch, Afg-970
Status: Active Designee
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Flight Instructor Examiner: Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Flight Instructor Examiner — Instrument: Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Balloon Airman Examiner
- Military Competency Examiner
- Flight Proficiency 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.