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5 Answers

DPE never signed my Private or CFII ride

Asked by: 1829 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Private Pilot

Hello everyone,

I was going through my logbook and noticed that my DPE never signed my Private check ride logbook entry. Later on in my logbook I noticed that the DPE who did my CFI-I check ride never signed my logbook entry either. These were two different DPE’s. If two different DPE’s did the same thing by not signing, I assume this is okay? The weird part is the DPE’s who did my Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and Multiengine check rides DID sign my logbook entries. Is the a preference thing? Is it required for them to sign it? The DPE who did my Private Check ride passed away a few years ago, so obviously I wouldn’t be able to contact him anyways and get him to sign it now. 

The main reason I ask is because I have a logbook review with an airline coming up and I wanted to make sure I’m in the clear. I obviously have the permanent hard copy certificates that shows I am certified and did pass that check ride.

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5 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Aug 18, 2022

    The DPE is not providing instruction and you are PIC on the check ride, so I don’t see a requirement for your log book to be signed by the DPE. I just checked my logbooks and the DPE never signed my private or commercial check ride log book entry. The instrument check ride and my instructor check ride were signed.

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  2. Bryan on Aug 18, 2022

    Every check ride I ever had, the DPE asked if I wanted them to sign my logbook and explained that it is not required but they’re willing to do it. I had them do it for my CFI ride, the rest I didn’t worry about it.

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  3. Luv2Fly13 on Aug 19, 2022

    Not required

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  4. Mark Kolber on Aug 21, 2022

    A DPE signing the logbook for a checkride is a matter of custom, not regulation. Some do, some don’t.

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  5. Jeff Baum on Aug 21, 2022

    I give the applicant the option. Some want me to sign, some don’t, some are so excited that they’re too busy with their phone letting everyone know that they passed that I don’t think that they hear me.

    The airline interviewers will not care either way.

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