Practical Tests

The FAA has granted Robin Leabman the following Practical Tests on his Certified Letter of Authorization (CLOA)

NOTAMS

Warnings, Cautions, and Alerts

⚠️  Attention  ⚠️

This "NOTAMs" section is for urgent communications.  Please check it every time you visit ezDPE.com.  There could always be messages here that could apply to you and your practical test.

All TESTS require a minimum 24-hour advanced notice with the faa.

FAA Order 8900.1 (the rules for DPEs) says we cannot begin a practical test unless we have the "intent to fly".  This means we cannot meet to conduct the Ground Portion (the "Oral") of the test unless we honestly intend to also conduct the Flight Portion.  There's been many requests to meet for just the Oral during our multiple weather events.  I like that everyone is thinking of how to keep tests moving forward, but the rules simply won't allow us to do that.

DPE SHORTAGE:  I'm sure you are all just as frustrated as I am in the difficulties booking your tests.  We lost two amazing DPE's at the end of May; one to retirement, and Judy Phelps flew West after battling cancer.  I'm now over 50 deep on my "Ready List" (as of July 1st).  Everyone have been wonderful in notifying me when they are fully ready.  Sadly I can't keep up with the demand of the Ready's.  If you're within 2 months of being ready, get on my list by filling out the Applicant Info PDF.  If your name comes up and you are not ready, I will skip you until the next opportunity.  If you decide to test before you are ready, you statistically stand a 35% chance of being Unsatisfactory on the test.

ENDORSEMENTS:  On the topic of being fully ready... Due to the overwhelming demand for tests, yet the short supply of available DPE's, I recommend holding off on the practical test endorsements until just before your scheduled test date.

SCHEDULING WITH OTHER DPE's:  If you are on multiple DPEs' schedules or wait-lists, and have just passed your checkride with one of us, please help us all out by notifying the other DPEs to remove you from their schedules/lists.  This vastly helps us all in keeping the schedules efficient and effective.  Thank you!

IFR and CFII Tests:  Due to increased difficulty in conducting IFR and CFII tests in our congested and understaffed airspace, I conduct most IFR and CFII tests at night.  YOU MUST BE NIGHT PIC CURRENT!!!

An instructor at Van Nuys started an email campaign to alert the FAA about the DPE shortage. I think it's a very smart and professional way to communicate to the right people how understaffed this region is with qualified DPE's.  Here's what they're sending out to everyone...

Hello aviators! I’m so frustrated trying to get my students a checkride. The FAA doesn’t know there’s a DPE shortage unless they hear from schools, instructors, and students about how long the wait times are for checkrides. EVERYONE needs to flood the FAA’s inboxes. They need to hear from all of us! Please send a very professional and politely worded email expressing your concerns over lack of DPE availability to the FAA office that I learned now manages DPE’s (AFG-970), and also cc the VNY FSDO because I think they’re involved too. Thank you!

[email protected]
[email protected]

When we book your test date and time, please complete the fillable Applicant Info PDF and send it back to me.  I need this information to submit the FAA Pre-Approval and prep my paperwork for your test. 

Private, Instrument, and Commercial Applicants:  Please go to the Downloads page and select the Pretest Checklist packet for the test you will be taking, print it, read it, and carefully complete every section in the lead-up to your test.  There are three cross-country scenarios in each packet.  Select one to plan for the test.

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Please use the buttons below to call, text (preferable), or email when you are READY for your practical test.