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

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

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

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