Thomas Tam DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Thomas Tam? GougeHub has a first-hand Thomas Tam checkride gouge report from a pilot who tested. Read oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights.
↓ View 1 available gouge reportAs of this writing, only one report sits on file for Thomas Tam. It covers a CMEL checkride. The report does not read like a normal gouge. It focuses on conduct, not on preparation tips.
The single report describes unprofessional behavior during the ride. The applicant did not come away with study guidance to pass along. The account centers on how the examiner acted rather than on what they asked.
Because of that focus, the report names no specific oral topics. It does not list aircraft systems, maneuvers, or required documents. It does not mention weight and balance, weather planning, or any ACS task by name. Those details simply are not in the write-up.
That leaves a thin record for anyone trying to prepare. There is no rundown of the oral emphasis or the flight portion here. The one applicant chose to flag behavior instead of cataloging questions and maneuvers.
Treat this page as a single data point and read the full report before you book. If you fly with Thomas Tam, add your own account afterward. More reports would give the next applicant the concrete oral and flight detail this one lacks.
Examiner Patterns
Preliminary insight — based on 1 report
- Oral style: 1 pilot reported the examiner kept the oral conversational
- Oral duration: 1 pilot reported — under 1 hour
- Flight duration: 1 pilot reported — 1 to 1.5 hours
- Go/no-go discussion: 1 pilot reported the examiner briefly touched on go/no-go
- Equipment failure simulated: 1 pilot reported the examiner simulated another type of equipment failure
- Preflight briefing: 1 pilot reported the examiner gave no preflight briefing
Based on self-reported pilot submissions. Data methodology
Ratings & Checkride Types
- CMEL (Commercial Multi-Engine)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Delegation And Resource Branch, Afg-970
Status: Active Designee
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- ATPE: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
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.