About RateMyDPE
RateMyDPE was built from firsthand experience.
After years of instructing, I watched students do everything right, study hard, fly well, meet the standards, only to walk into checkrides that felt inconsistent, unpredictable, or unfair. I experienced it myself. I saw it happen to students I trained. And I saw how little transparency existed around one of the most important moments in a pilot’s career.
The problem wasn’t the standards.
The problem was the lack of visibility.
Checkrides are governed by the same ACS, but the experience can vary widely depending on who’s sitting across the table. For years, the only way to learn about that was through scattered texts, hangar talk, or vague warnings like “you’ll see how it goes.” That wasn’t good enough.
So I decided to build something better.
Why this exists
RateMyDPE was created to give pilots access to real, community-driven insight into checkride experiences; without rumors, exaggeration, or back-channel gatekeeping.
The goal was simple:
Create a free, centralized database where students can read real applicant experiences, spot patterns, and walk into their checkrides informed instead of guessing.
This isn’t about attacking examiners.
It’s about transparency, fairness, and preparation.
When expectations are clear, everyone performs better.
RateMyDPE is:
• A transparency tool for students
• A preparation platform built by instructors
• A way to reduce surprises on checkride day
It is not:
• Affiliated with the FAA
• A guarantee of outcomes
• A replacement for your CFI
All experiences are community-submitted. All preparation still follows FAA standards and the ACS.