Your Questions, Answered

  • No. RateMyDPE is an independent platform built by pilots and instructors. All content is community-submitted and based on individual experiences. Always follow FAA regulations and the ACS.

  • No. The goal is transparency and preparation—not bashing. Reviews focus on structure, pacing, expectations, and experience, not personal attacks.

  • RateMyDPE doesn’t guarantee outcomes. It helps reduce surprises by giving you insight into how checkrides are commonly conducted and by offering realistic mock checkride preparation.

  • Absolutely. This platform is designed to complement your CFI—not replace them—by adding broader, nationwide insight you can’t always get locally.

  • Instructor profiles reflect experience based on personal interactions and applicants they’ve prepared and sent to checkrides. This information is observational and historical, not preferential.

  • Submissions are moderated for relevance, professionalism, and clarity. While experiences are subjective, patterns emerge when multiple reports align.

  • No. All checkrides are still governed by the same ACS and FAA standards. RateMyDPE exists to explain how those standards are commonly applied in real-world scenarios.

  • Item descriptionAccess to the gouge database is free. Optional mock checkrides and instructor sessions are available for students who want structured preparation.

  • At launch, the platform is focused on student access and preparation. Future features may include examiner feedback or clarification tools.

  • Yes. The platform shares opinions and experiences, not instruction to deviate from standards. Nothing on RateMyDPE replaces official FAA guidance.

Disclaimer

RateMyDPE is an independent platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or any Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). All content on this site, including reviews, experiences, and ratings, reflects the personal opinions and experiences of individual users and is provided for informational purposes only.

Checkrides are conducted in accordance with FAA regulations and the Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Individual experiences may vary. Nothing on this site constitutes official guidance, instruction to deviate from FAA standards, or a guarantee of checkride outcomes.

Mock checkrides and instructional sessions are supplemental preparation tools and do not replace primary flight instruction or endorsement requirements from a certificated flight instructor.