Designated Flight Examiner South Florida

[bzim140]

Good Afternoon. I am a student pilot and own a 1948 Cessna 140. I was recently signed off by my instructor for a check ride. Unfortunately I am having difficulty finding an examiner that has a Tailwheel endorsement. I am based out of KLNA South East Florida and would appreciate if anyone new of an examiner that may be available.

Thank You

[6183]

Unfortunately, I don't know of a DPE in South Florida; however, if you're game at flying up into Alabama, Joey Sanders or Ken Spivey could give you your check ride. Ken is a past president of the Cessna 120-140 Association.

[8342]

Silly question but since you are the PIC, does the Examiner need to be tailwheel qualified?

He should only need Airplane SEL Certificate.

Rick

[4004]

Call your FSDO, since they have oversight they should know their capabilities. Your instructor should help you with FSDO contact. FWIW

[8342]

I talked to an X DPE and he said that the FAA had lists of Airplane Models that he could give check rides in.
I think he said that he had to have 5 hours PIC in Make/Model to be able to have it added to his list.
It may have changed but you would need to have someone with a Cessna 120/140 approval to get your check ride with.

Rick

[4004]

Rick, thanks for giving credence to my "sage" advice above. We have a DPE resident on our field. I remember when the previous DPE was getting time in the Diamond twin in order to give check rides. As a side note, about 60 years ago I had a Piper Clipper, tail dragger that morphed into the TriPacer, I contacted a DPE in Mobile for my commercial check ride . I had soloed in a J-3, lots of time in Champ, 120/140s, Stinson, but he suggested that I come over and rent a C-150 locally - never flown a tricycle - and I had heard that this DPE could be "tricky". I did as he suggested and after the oral he said go preflight the C-150. When he came out he asked if we were ready to go and I responded that we have a problem - aircraft had full tanks that with our weights we would be some pounds over gross - ask me what I thought and I responded, "you're the man" and he said "let's go" - passed the check ride.