Payment

I accept cash (USD) Cashiers check or Money Orders. I do not accept any other payment methods such as Venmo, Paypal, credit cards or personal checks. Cash is preferred for the sake of transaction expediency.

Out of area tests

Tests outside my Western PA service area require individual consideration. In some cases I may be willing to travel to the applicant using my personal aircraft to administer a practical test. Or, I may already be traveling in a location near you. These are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please email me at Stan@pittdpe.com for consideration.

Private area and internet connection

If I’m meeting you at a designated airport other than those listed under locations, you must provide a private area free of distractions and a reliable internet connection.

Retest fees

A retest fee of 50% applies only to retests for applicants who received a Notice of Disapproval on a previous practical test from me.

Applicants seeking a retest after receiving a Notice of Disapproval from another examiner will be charged the full fee for the Practical Test regardless of tasks already completed on the first attempt, unless otherwise specified.

Continuance fees

In some cases I will not charge a fee to continue the test (within 60 days) in the event that a Letter of Discontinuance is issued. (See unavaviodable reason below).

Unavoidable Reasons:

I recognize that sometimes, despite the best of intentions, issues which may cause a discontinuance are simply out of our hands. Therefore, I do not charge to continue a practical test at a later date (within 60 days of the Letter of Discontinuance) for the following reasons:

  • Unforecast weather

  • Maintenance issue develops during the checkride

  • Unexpected illness

  • Other reasonable circumstances – at the examiner’s discretion

Avoidable Reasons:

I have found that the vast majority of discontinuances are avoidable. Unless other arrangements are made, it is the applicant’s responsibility to cancel the practical test in advance if there are concerns over weather or other factors. In the event that a Letter of Discontinuance must be issued, I will charge a “continuance” fee for the following reasons:

  • Weather is not suitable to the applicant despite checking forecast day prior, morning prior, etc.

  • Airman presents unairworthy aircraft (issue detected after start of practical test)

  • Example: aircraft out of annual or 100 hour inspection.

  • Applicant chooses to discontinue for non-urgent personal reason

  • Others – at examiner’s discretion.

Let’s work together to avoid this situation.

Rescheduling fee

A rescheduling fee may be charged due to the following:

  • The airman’s logbook entries do not demonstrate that he/she has met the aeronautical experience requirements for the desired certificate or rating

  • Applicant arrives without required documents including the aircraft maintenance records, proper endorsements, or identification.

  • Applicant presents unairworthy aircraft (issue detected prior to start of practical test – i.e. aircraft out of annual or 100 hour inspection or other “easily avoidable” airworthiness issue.

I will make all reasonable efforts to help rectify the situation before resorting to rescheduling the practical test.

Paper 8710-1 fee

IACRA is the preferred method of application by the FAA, and me: it is easier to use, more accurate, and quite reliable. If you choose to use submit a paper 8710-1 application, I charge a $100.00 fee. (If we have internet connectivity problems, or in the unlikely event the IACRA system goes down and we must revert to paper, there will be no charge.)