What does MICHAEL FORD focus on during the oral exam?

Reports from applicants who flew with MICHAEL FORD describe the oral examination structure. For specific topics covered and questions asked, see full reports.

How does MICHAEL FORD approach weight and balance?

Applicants who flew with MICHAEL FORD describe how weight and balance was handled during the checkride. For complete detail, see full reports.

What catches applicants off guard with MICHAEL FORD?

Applicants who flew with MICHAEL FORD share what stood out about the experience. For the complete breakdown, see full reports.

How long is a checkride with MICHAEL FORD?

Checkride duration data from applicants who flew with MICHAEL FORD is available in the full reports.

MICHAEL FORD DPE Checkride Gouges

Designated Pilot Examiner

Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) MICHAEL FORD? GougeHub has a first-hand MICHAEL FORD checkride gouge report from a pilot who tested in Wisconsin. Read oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights.

IFR

1 Gouge report — view ↓ 1 Rating types covered - Total on platform

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Andrew Gray, CFI-II 1,500+ hrs · Former US Navy & Boeing · Data methodology

Examiner Style

Mike Ford is methodical and detail-oriented. He's conversational but expects precise, technical answers — he's not trying to trick you, but he wants to know you truly understand the systems behind the needles. He follows a logical flow, moving from regulations to planning to systems to procedures, and he'll probe deeper if your initial answer is surface-level. Pilots describe the experience as demanding but fair.

What to Expect

Strong emphasis on understanding navigation systems at a conceptual level — how they physically work, not just how to read them.
Expect to walk through your cross-country plan in detail, including weather products and decision-making about alternates and icing.
He'll test your knowledge of airspace structure, instrument failure scenarios, and inoperative equipment decision flows.
Weather literacy matters — he wants you interpreting real briefing products, not reciting textbook definitions.

What Surprised Pilots

He may ask you to draw and explain systems you've only studied in theory, not just identify them on a chart.
Some pilots were caught off guard by the depth of questioning on older navigation concepts and slant-range specifics.
His icing knowledge expectations go beyond the standard textbook answers.

Mike Ford runs a thorough, systems-heavy oral that rewards pilots who actually understand how their instruments work — not just how to use them. If you can draw it and explain it, you're in good shape. Read the gouges to know exactly where he digs deepest.

Get the full MICHAEL FORD brief →

Ratings & Checkride Types

IFR (Instrument Rating)

FAA Designee Information

FAA Oversight Office: Milwaukee FSDO

Status: Active Designee

FAA Examiner Authorization:

Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
Flight Instructor Examiner: Airplane Single Engine, Airplane Multi-Engine
Flight Proficiency Examiner
Military Competency Examiner
Ground Instructor Examiner
Flight Instructor Rating Examiner
Balloon Airman 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.