New FAA Check ride Policies !

June 15, 2015 the FAA released the update Order 8900.2A which covers Designee policy, procedures and other requirements.  There are some changes in there that will have some effect on what I can do or allow on a check ride.  None of the new policies affect the actual check ride (for example questions and scenarios) but rather they tighten up some of the things an examiner is allowed to do.  Here's a rundown:

1.  The Examiner must notify the FSDO of all check rides.

2.  Only 1 Initial CFI test per day

3.  Max 2 check rides per day (a full test, retest and restart from a discontinuance each count as 1 full check ride) (not new      but a frequent request by schools to do more than 2 rides/day)

4.  If you start the application process with IACRA you must end with IACRA.  If you used a paper 8710, you must notify the       FSDO why you used a paper 8710.

5.  Check rides must plan to start and end on the same day.  In other words, segmented tests arent allowed.

6.  Only FAA ASI are allowed to observe a check ride.  It use to be acceptable to allow an applicants CFI to observe a check      ride, a practice I fully encouraged.  Unfortunately, the FAA won't let me do it anymore.

7.  AMEs will no longer be able to issue student pilot certificates.  New students will have to go to a DPE or the FSDO to get      one.

8.  If an applicant wants to use an EFB (ie iPad) on a check ride, the examiner must allow it.  The Examiner must test the         applicant on its use as it relates to the type of check ride.  No change for me.  I've been using and allowing EFBs for             years.  Just make sure you know how to use it and that its data is accurate.

There are other currency, administrative and training requirement changes for DPEs but those things wont really effect the actual check ride.  It's just more stuff the DPE has to be ahead of.

Any questions, please call or email