Welcome to Houston CFI & Houston DPE

  I have been flying airplanes since before I could drive. I soloed at 16, got my Private ticket at 17, and my Commercial ticket at 18.  Other endorsements and ratings (tailwheel, glider, multi-engine, seaplane, instructor) came later.
Flying has been a lifelong obsession...a real sickness!  Those of you who are already licensed know what I mean. Those of you just starting out will find out very quickly that flying becomes a part of your DNA!
My background includes:  

• Designated Pilot Examiner
• Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Recipient
• Gold Seal CFI/CFII/MEI/Glider/Seaplane
• 2013 FAA Southwest Region CFI Of The Year
• AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Seminar Presenter
• Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic Instructor
• Former Chief Tow Pilot-Greater Houston Soaring Association
• Founder of Houston Light Sport Aviation
• Co-Writer/Editor EAA CFI Guide to Sport Pilot and Sport Aircraft
• Contributing Writer to Rod Machado’s Sport Pilot Textbook
• FAASTeam Volunteer
• Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot
• Matrix/Malibu Check Pilot
• Co-writer AOPA's Rusty Pilot Seminar
• Co-writer AOPA's Back To Your Roots Seminar
• AOPA Texas You-Can-Fly Ambassador
  

FOREIGN PILOTS…PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! 

• If you are applying for a ‘stand-alone’ FAA certificate and if you are currently flying under an FAA certificate based on your foreign certificate, there are certain steps you may need to take well BEFORE we meet for your check ride. Please CALL ME to discuss. 832.654.9831. 

• If you are seeking your Instrument Rating or Commercial Certificate, and currently hold a Private Pilot Certificate based on a Foreign License, I need to know that immediately.

• CHANGED YOUR CITIZENSHIP RECENTLY??  Do you currently hold an FAA certificate of  any kind?  Does it show your citizenship as something other than USA?  Are you now an naturalized US Citizen (congratulations!!)? If so, you MUST report  your change in citizenship to the local FSDO (281.929.7000). Only the FSDO can make a citizenship change to the FAA records. Failure to do this will stop the check ride before we get started!

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There's no way around it...check rides can be stressful.  There's not much I can say to change that, but these tips should help keep it to a manageable level.  They  are in no particular order.

• Make SURE your endorsements are in order. Your CFI should know what's required. If in doubt, look at the FAAs Advisory Circular 61-65J  (the latest one as of 10.30.2024). It will guide you.
• Maintenance logs must be up to date. Locate and tab the last annual (airframe, engine AND prop), 100 hour (if required), pitot/static and altimeter checks, and AD compliance records.
• Check your pilot log book.  ALL pages should be totaled. For easy reference, tab all the pages I need to see (ex: night experience, x/c experience). Check and double-check that you meet the FAA requirements!!
• While I prefer to see your cross-country plan done on paper, I’m aware that paper charts can be difficult to find. For the purpose of the oral portion only, outdated charts are acceptable. The new ACS that took effect 5/31/24 mandates that we test your knowledge of EFBs (Electronic Flight Bags) so it’s also acceptable to plan your trip using your iPad or Android device and a flight planning app of your choice.  For the actual flight, you are also free to use Foreflight or similar apps, but I’ll ask you to disable the GPS functionality. Instrument students, you may substitute your iPad or Android device for paper approach plates, but I will ask you to disable the GPS function.
• Also, be sure to bring your E6B and a plotter.  You may need it!
• PRINT OUT and bring with you the 8710 that your instructor signed...either electronically OR with an original signature.  If, for any reason, we have to use a paper application instead of IACRA, this will help avoid delays in your check ride.
• The ACS (or PTS, if applicable) has a handy list of things you should bring with you.
• Speaking of the ACS, please READ IT!!  You may be surprised to know that some applicants show up for their check ride and have never read the ACS.  That puts them in an immediate, and unnecessary, disadvantage!
• Check to make sure that the name on your photo ID matches your IACRA application, your current pilot certificate, your knowledge test results AND your medical.  If those do not match, it will delay, or possibly cancel, your check ride.  We DO NOT want that to happen!!
• If you are using an aircraft that requires a 100 hour inspection, please make sure  you have the CURRENT tach time when we sit down. I guarantee you I'll ask for that!!
• IMPORTANT! If there is a change of aircraft MODEL (example, changing from a 172M to a 172N, or PA-28-161 to PA-28-181), you MUST tell me as soon as you become aware of the change. This 'can' be a problem, but it doesn't have to be if you tell me as soon as you know. This affects IACRA and also internal paperwork I have to provide to the FAA, so it's a big deal.
• Remember to bring your photo ID, pilot certificate and signed medical. These must be original documents. Photocopies are NOT acceptable. You may laminate your medical AFTER you sign it!

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ANSWERS TO THE ACS is an excellent resource for Private, Instrument, and Commercial applicants. Take some time and check it out here.

Here is another link you may find of interest...some typical questions asked of DPEs. Click here.

Here's an excellent (and short) article from BOLDMETHOD on common reasons for check ride failures. Click here.

NOTE TO COMMERCIAL PILOT CANDIDATES

Please make sure your instrument training logbook entries make reference to 61.129(a)(3)(i). If it doesn't, you may not be qualified for the Commercial check ride.  Please refer to the Hartzell Interpretation.

It refers specifically to the Commercial requirement for at least 10 hours of instrument instruction using 

a view limiting device.  

61.129(a)(4) is also problematic. It deals with "SOLO" flight time vs performing the duties of PIC with an authorized instructor on board.  The Grannis Interpretation clears that up.  

For more potential "gotchas" on the Commercial ride, click here.

ADD-ON CHECKRIDES

Do you currently hold a helicopter certificate and you’re adding fixed wing to it? I need to know in advance. Do you hold a Commercial helo cert w/instrument rating and a Private fixed wing and want to add instrument to the private fixed wing? I need to know that. In short, if this is any type of an ‘add-on’ ride, I need to know in advance as the practical test requirements are different. 

AND FINALLY...

If you do not have a Wings account with www.FAASafety.gov please consider registering for one using the email on your check ride request form.  At the successful completion of your ride, I'll issue you WINGS credit. For information on the FAA's WINGS Program, click here.