Russell Calverley DPE Checkride Gouges

As of this writing, one PPL report is on file for Russell Calverley, flown at KPOC. The applicant called him very fair overall. Missing some non-safety, non-FAR questions is fine with him. He touches almost any topic you can name, but weather is by far the biggest part of the test.

Know your METARs cold, including every element in them. Study TAFs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Winds Aloft, and the Prog chart. He also asks about symbols on a Surface Analysis chart. He tells a story and then asks questions, which lets you think ahead. He builds on earlier answers too, asking how you would see a past topic on a given graphic. Feel free to ask clarifying questions.

He covers airspace and the full PAVE list. Expect the sectional chart review with questions on symbols, airport airspace, and what airspace you cross going straight up. One applicant forgot the black and grey lines marked a TRSA. He asks about hypoxia, the electrical system, and the pitot static system. He wants you to describe how the entire six-pack works with electricity, pitot static, and vacuum.

Documents come up through a Ramp Agent scenario. That flows into validity and expiration of the Airworthiness Certificate and the airplane registration. Know the maintenance requirements and AV1ATES in detail. Expect scenarios like an alternator failure or a broken red nav light, and whether you can fix it.

The cross country scenario included Big Bear, L35, so density altitude came up as expected. He uses a portable monitor to show you charts, which gives you a clear view without leaning at odd angles. The applicant passed the oral with compliments for being thorough, missing only a few minor things.