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Welcome to the Blog
I welcome commentary and debate! Having said that, please keep all comments courteous and relevant to the discussion at hand.
Factors Contributing to the DPE Shortage – The Student’s Role (Part 2 of 3)
In part one of this three-part series, I identified and discussed the most proactive measures Certificated Flight Instructors (CFIs) might implement to alleviate the “DPE shortage” within the general aviation industry. Chief among these were knowledge of the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) – and ensuring students met them – and writing the “properly-worded” endorsements in student logs as spelt out in Advisory Circular (AC) 61-65K . [1] , [2] Designated Pilot Examin
JM
2 minutes ago7 min read
Disaster and Disappointment in DC
On 10 December, 2025, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Hommendy held a press conference in which she blasted the House of Representatives proposed amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She opened the press conference by asserting: “I want to be clear…it does not in any way enhance safety. It reverses safety changes made after the midair collision, after issuance of our urgent safety recommendations, after
JM
Dec 187 min read
Finding the Right Flight Instructor – Training Options (Part 1 of 2)
Navigating my journey from student to Private Pilot took nearly two years. The process that began with a discovery flight one cold December day in Ohio in 2018 didn’t conclude until September of 2020 and 350 miles away in Illinois. That might seem unnecessarily time-consuming – particular to any former Part 141 students who might read this. But for someone with no inclination toward the airlines, the slower tempo of Part 61 flight training appealed to my work schedule and
JM
Dec 146 min read
Factors Contributing to the "DPE Shortage" - The CFI's Role (Part 1 of 3)
There are few topics that will conjure more animosity between students, Certificated Flight Instructors (CFIs), and Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) than the purported “DPE shortage.” While this topic is not new, the last eighteen months saw the aviation community abuzz with related conversation to a level not before witnessed. Simply uttering this two-word phrase in the wrong place might earn you a look askance or an irritated sigh. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
JM
Dec 107 min read
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