Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE)

A Designated Pilot Examiner (commonly referred to as a DPE) is a senior pilot designated by the FAA to conduct oral examinations and inflight or flight simulator checkrides (collectively called "practical tests") with pilot applicants to determine their suitability to be issued a Pilot Certificate or additional rating on their Pilot Certificate.

Effective October 2, 2018, the FAA has removed the geographical limitations for all Flight Standard Service DPEs. This modification provides DPEs with the ability to conduct tests anywhere within the United States and increases the limit for providing tests to three per day.

Did you know? 

• The FAA Civil Aviation Branch processed 431,136 pilot certificates in 2022.

• DPE's conduct approximately 99% of all FAA pilot exams.

• There are approximately 956 DPE's in the United States of America.

• In January 2023 there were 35,483 certificates processed through the Civil Registry.

• As of 2022 there are approximately 1.2M users in IACRA.

• As of April 2024, MRDPE is ONE of 301 Rotorcraft DPE's in the United States.

• There are approximately 60 DPE's in the USA who can issue an SFAR 73 approval.

• Approximately 78% of applicants pass first time throughout the USA.

About MRDPE.com

I am looking forward to meeting you and hearing about your aviation path.

I'm a big advocate for participating in the FAA WINGS program and encourage all pilots to do so as it will enhance your piloting experience.

On July 7th, 2007 I soloed my first aircraft, a Robinson R22 helicopter in Long Beach, California. Since then I've flown throughout the United States, Africa and Europe in many different capacities.

The brand name: MRDPE is derived from the first letter of my first name and the first letter of my last name (Mark Robinson) and the first letter of each word of my FAA title. (Designated Pilot Examiner).

I look forward to meeting you!