What does Robby Turner focus on during the oral exam?

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

How does Robby Turner approach weight and balance?

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

What catches applicants off guard with Robby Turner?

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

How long is a checkride with Robby Turner?

Checkride duration data from applicants who flew with Robby Turner is available in the full reports.

Robby Turner DPE Checkride Gouges

Designated Pilot Examiner

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

CFI

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

Robby Turner is consistently described as calm, professional, and conversational. He creates an environment where candidates feel more like they're having a discussion with a fellow aviator than being grilled. He's fair and straightforward — not looking to trick you — but he expects clear, confident answers. He wants to see that you can actually teach, not just recite. Expect him to be encouraging but thorough.

What to Expect

Turner places a strong emphasis on your ability to explain concepts as an instructor would to a student. The oral is scenario-driven, so be ready to work through endorsement requirements, logbook situations, and real-world teaching decisions. On the flight portion, expect him to evaluate how well you demonstrate and explain maneuvers simultaneously — he's watching your instructional technique as much as your stick-and-rudder skills.

What Surprised Pilots

Several candidates noted that endorsement and logbook scenarios went deeper than they anticipated — know the details, not just the general rules.
Some were caught off guard by how much he focused on the teaching explanation during flight maneuvers rather than just execution.

Robby Turner runs a CFI checkride that feels more like a professional conversation than an interrogation. He's direct, fair, and clearly wants to see you think like an instructor — but he'll probe specific scenarios that reveal whether you truly understand the 'why' behind what you teach.

Get the full Robby Turner brief →

Ratings & Checkride Types

CFI (Certified Flight Instructor)

FAA Designee Information

FAA Oversight Office: Albuquerque FSDO

Status: Active Designee

FAA Examiner Authorization:

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