Mark Albert Favolise DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner
↓ View 1 available gouge reportExaminer Style
Favolise keeps things conversational and scenario-driven. He's not trying to trick you — he wants to see that you understand the reasoning behind regulations, procedures, and planning decisions. He'll ask a question and then follow your answer deeper, so surface-level memorization won't cut it. Pilots describe the experience as thorough but fair, with a natural flow from one topic area to the next.
What to Expect
His oral spans a broad range of commercial-level topics, with particular emphasis on:
- Flight planning rationale — not just the numbers, but why you made specific choices
- Weather theory and product interpretation, especially understanding real-world implications
- Regulatory knowledge tied to practical scenarios (documents, oxygen, inspections)
- Systems understanding, including pressurization concepts and emergency procedures
He expects you to think like a commercial pilot, not recite like a student. Checklist discipline matters to him.
What Surprised Pilots
Several pilots noted he asks questions that connect topics in unexpected ways — linking weather to planning to risk assessment in a single thread. He also digs into areas some candidates don't review deeply, so read the full gouges to know where those blind spots tend to be.
Ratings & Checkride Types
- CPL (Commercial Pilot)
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.