MICHAEL FORD DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner
↓ View 1 available gouge report✓
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.
Ratings & Checkride Types
- IFR (Instrument Rating)
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.