FAA Practical Tests

Mike Gwinn is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and/or Specialty Aircraft Examiner (SAE) for the following:

  • Private (ASEL, ASES, AMEL, RH)
  • Instrument (ASEL, ASES, AMEL, RH)
  • Commercial (ASEL, ASES, AMEL, RH)
  • Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) for Initial and add-on ratings (ASEL, AMEL, RH)
  • ATP (helicopters including Bell 407 and Bell 206)
  • ATP, Type, and PPE (§61.58) for SD-3 (Shorts 360 and 330 Sherpa)
  • Experimental Examiner for Mi-8/17/171/172 (see additional information below)
(ASEL = airplane single-engine land; ASES = airplane single-engine sea; AMEL = airplane multiengine land; RH = rotorcraft helicopter)

Mike Gwinn is also authorized to conduct the following administrative actions.  Some administrative actions can be completed via Zoom:

  • SOE limitation removal and SIC type ratings.  My fee is $100.  Please email with details.
  • Flight Instructor Renewal Examiner (FIRE)  Our fee is $100 for FIRE administration.  This is usually an active military instructor who is a CFI and is due for renewal.  Within the past 12 months, you must have successfully completed a military instructor pilot evaluation.  Another option would be to complete an online Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC).
  • FAA Military Competency Examiner (MCE)  My examiner fee for military competency is $100.  If you meet the requirements of 14 CFR 61.73, then you can be issued the appropriate pilot and/or Flight Instructor certificates.  You will have to take an FAA military competency written examination.   Note that you must have at least a commercial pilot certificate (license) before applying for a Flight Instructor certificate.  Please email or call for more information.  Great news for F-18, F-15, F-22, and T-38 pilots who are seeking the Commercial Airplane Multiengine land (MEL) certificate. The Centerline Thrust limitation no longer exists. An FAA memorandum, August 1, 2018, lifted the Centerline Thrust limitation requirement. You will need to submit a new application to remove the restriction if you currently have a centerline thrust limitation on your pilot certificate (“pilots license”).
  • Remote Pilot Examiner (RPE)  If you are an FAA Certificated (licensed) pilot with a current Flight Review as per §61.56 you can apply via IACRA for a Remote Pilot certificate as per §107, and I can issue the Temporary Pilot certificate immediately.  If you don’t meet these requirements, you can apply however before you conduct §107 flights need to receive your permanent RP certificate in the mail.  My fee is $75.[/bg_collapse]
  • Experimental Aircraft Examiner for the Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-171  Currently, the FAA considers all variants of the Mi-8 (i.e., Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-171, Mi-172) to be a Mi-8.  If you are to fly a U.S. registered Mi-8 as PIC, you must have an experimental authorization on your pilot’s certificate. The experimental authorization is basically a type rating for the Mi-8, and a type rating is required for aircraft with a maximum gross weight greater than 12,500 lbs. If you were rated (qualified) in the Mi-8 as an active military-rated pilot, then you are eligible to have the “experimental authorization” added to your Pilots Certificate (sometimes called the Pilot’s license) via military competency.  This is an FAA Military Competency Examiner action, as noted above.  If you did not fly the Mi-8 series as an active military pilot (e.g., you flew as a contractor in Afghanistan), you will have to take a flight evaluation (“check ride”) to add the experimental authorization to your certificate.  I am currently an FAA examiner authorized to conduct this flight examination; however, I do not provide the aircraft.  There are a few operators in the U.S. who might be able to provide you with training and/or an aircraft.  The evaluation will follow the practical test standards for a helicopter type ride currently listed on the FAA.gov website for the helicopter ATP.  This is FAA-S-8081-20 but make sure to check the faa.gov website as the practical test standards are subject to change.
For check ride scheduling at KLWB use the CheckRider website  (Search for CheckRider) Mike Gwinn is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner working in the Washington, D.C., Richmond, VA, and Charleston, WV  FSDO Districts. His primary airport is KLWB (Greenbrier Valley Airport) in Lewisburg, WV. Mike will travel as needed to other airports.  Travel rates apply (see “Policies” tab).  Mike routinely conducts check rides in Western Virginia (PSK, Blacksburg, and Lynchburg area) and Richmond.

Fees and Pricing

We accept cash, Venmo, or credit/debit card payments.  The prices in the table below apply to check rides conducted at KLWB (Lewisburg, WV) in airplanes.  There is an additional travel fee of $200 for other locations.  See the Policy Tab for more information.  Contact us for helicopter or experimental examiner rates.

Initial Light Sport - airplane $700
Initial Private - ASEL, ASES, AMEL $700
Initial Instrument Rating  -  Airplane $700
Initial Commercial Rating - ASEL, ASES, AMEL $700
Airplane Single-engine add-on - ASEL, ASES $700
Airplane Multiengine add-on $700
Initial CFI $1200
Add on CFI - CFII Airplane, AMEL, ASEL $850

For scheduling at KLWB us the CheckRider website.  (Search for CheckRider.io)

Payment

We accept cash, Venmo, PayPal, or credit card payments.  We do not accept personal checks.

Travel

Increase rates for all check rides by $200 at the following airports:
  • CKB, CRW, CKB, EKN, and BKW
  • RIC (Richmond, VA), FCI, and OFP
  • PSK (New River Valley), BCB (Blacksburg, VA), ROA, and LYH
Contact for rates at other Virginia and West Virginia locations.

Out-of-area tests

Practical Tests outside of Virginia or the West Virginia area or to meet unusual timelines require individual consideration.  In some cases, we may be able to travel to conduct the check ride using Mike’s personal airplane.  Other travel arrangements are also possible.  These are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Private area and internet connection

If Mike is meeting you at an airport other than KLWB, you must provide a private area free of distractions.  A means of reliable internet connection is also required (can be cellular).

Retest fees

If required, the retest fee is 50% of the initial test fee plus travel for applicants who received a Notice of Disapproval on a previous practical test from Mike. Applicants seeking a retest after receiving a Notice of Disapproval from another examiner will be charged the full fee for the Practical Test regardless of tasks already completed on the first attempt.

Continuance fees

In most cases, we will not charge a fee to continue the test (within 60 days) if a Letter of Discontinuance is issued (see the Unavoidable reasons below.) Unavoidable reasons: We recognize that sometimes, despite the best of intentions, issues that may cause a discontinuance are simply out of our hands. Therefore, we do not charge to continue a practical test at a later date (within 60 days of the Letter of Discontinuance) for these reasons:
  • Unforecast weather
  • Maintenance issue develops during the check-ride
  • Unexpected illness
  • Other reasonable circumstances, at the examiner’s discretion
Avoidable reasons: If a Letter of Discontinuance must be issued, we may charge a “continuance” fee for these reasons:
  • Airman presents unairworthy aircraft, issue detected after start of the practical test
    • Example: aircraft out of the annual or 100-hour inspection.
  • The applicant chooses to discontinue for non-urgent personal reason
  • Others – at the examiner’s discretion.

Rescheduling fees

A rescheduling fee may be charged due to the following:
  • The airman’s logbook entries do not demonstrate that he/she has met the aeronautical experience requirements for the desired certificate or rating
  • Applicant arrives without required documents, including the aircraft maintenance records, proper endorsements, or identification.
  • The applicant presents unairworthy aircraft (issue detected before the start of the practical test – i.e., aircraft out of annual or 100-hour inspection or other “easily avoidable” airworthiness issue.

Paper 8710-1 fee

IACRA is the preferred method of application by the FAA, and I agree: that it is easier to use, more accurate, and quite reliable. A paper application will only be accepted if IACRA is not available or if IACRA does not accept the type of application (e.g., experimental authorization).