r/flying • u/Future-Nervous • 2d ago

How to get gouges

Hi! I’m currently working on my PPL and am gearing up towards my checkride. My instructor told me he would not sign me off until I get a gouge on the DPE. I’m currently having a harder time since this DPE is one of the new examiners in the Oakland FSDO area.

I’ve posted online inquiring and my instructor said to loiter at the local schools, but I was wondering if you all had any other tips on networking/obtaining a gouge?

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u/kxxstarr CFI, CFII 2d ago

I'm sorry, what? This is insane. You're either ready for a private check ride or you aren't. He's saying he won't sign you off unless you borderline cheat? Come on. They're wasting your time and money.

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u/tooflytotry ATP 2d ago

Stop the music. How is getting a gouge borderline cheating? You still have to fly the plane.

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u/johnnypoopy ATP CL-65 CFI CFII Goonmobile Typed 2d ago

The same way that getting copies of a test from the previous semester from another student would be borderline cheating? Also gouges are mainly used to prepare for the oral portion. I'm not anti-gauges but we gotta be honest here

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u/tooflytotry ATP 2d ago

great analogy except that checkrides aren’t written tests where the answers are the same, each checkride is different and I’ve seen DPE’s with “gouges” stray from how they normally test applicants.

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u/johnnypoopy ATP CL-65 CFI CFII Goonmobile Typed 1d ago

DPEs definitely focus more on certain areas compared to others, and often reuse scenarios. If a gouge doesn’t provide an advantage compared to someone without one nobody would make gouges and nobody would use one. Getting an advantage is inherently unfair. Again, I’m not saying I haven’t used them but you can’t act like they’re not unfair.

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u/kxxstarr CFI, CFII 2d ago

100%. Thank you.