Schedule

Weather cancelations and summer commercial flying have been impacting practical test scheduling. Due to issues beyond my control, practical test scheduling has been pushed beyond my normal 3-week window. I am currently rescheduling practical exams due to unforeseen and unavoidable issues (weather and my schedule) more than 3 weeks from their original planned start date. What this means is you may not see any availability in my schedule until I can get caught up.

I do not like scheduling that far out as it creates a domino effect and further cancellations cause the need to reschedule even further. As it is, I am taking the time that was set aside for the 4th of July holiday and scheduling exams in its place.

To try and help with the scheduling issue, I have implemented a new scheduling program that was built for examiners and applicants. PilExOs was designed to make scheduling and communicating with applicants easier for everyone. Using the scheduling link on this website will take you directly to PilExOs where you will create an account and can schedule a practical exam. I have it set up to look no more than 3 weeks into the future and show any availability during that time. If a date is available you will be able to schedule that time slot. It will notify me of the request and I can go in to confirm the appointment. PilExOs charges a small booking fee for each appointment. I do not receive or see any of their booking fees. That is how they make their money. The practical test fee listed on the reservation will be due the day of your checkride.

I hope PilExOs will help with the scheduling issues of the past. I appreciate everyone who reaches out for an exam and I hope to fly with you soon.

Do You Want a Ride? found in the FAA Safety Briefing Sept-Oct 2023 Safety Briefing Magazine.

This article (linked above) should be read by all pilots, especially Private and Commercial pilots. This article simplifies what could be viewed as a difficult topic of commercial activity vs. non-commercial activity. Could you be performing illegal commercial operations without even knowing it? This FAA Safety Briefing provides great, simple examples of situations that could be considered commercial activity and explains why at the same time. I highly encourage all pilots to read and re-read this article to help better understand commercial operations. This will not make you an expert or lawyer on the topic but will make you more knowledgeable. If you have any situations or questions that you are unsure of, contact your local FAA Flight Standards District Office, aviation lawyer, or anyone you think could be helpful.

Consider signing up for the FAASTeam and participating in the WINGS program. Even if you don't participate in the WINGS program, the FAASTeam site has a ton of good resources and training material for all different aspects of aviation. Add this to your pilot "bookshelf".

The FAA Safety Briefings can be found here. Consider subscribing to FAA News so that you don't miss out on new developments and information when the FAA publishes them. You can sign up for multiple alerts and notices from the FAA so that you don't miss out on what is important to you.