Central Texas CFI's

[mhcasey]

Has anyone used Lewis Barr as a DPE? Any thoughts?

[USMCmech]

I had a horrible experiance with him.

He flunked a PPL studnet of mine twice on just the oral. After the first unsat, I made CERTIAN that my student knew the material. I also had another CFI give him a mock oral checkride. The second time he failed the applicant again, over the exact same stuff.

I asked aroud and most of the CFIs I talked to said that he was thier last resort.

On a few other ocaisions I observed him with other applicants, and found him to be unprofesional.


I highly recomned Charlie McDogal, or Rodger Sharp. I have used Charlie several times, he busted one student of mine, but it was more than fair. He does a very good job of putting the applicant at ease.

Rodger Sharp gave a CFI refresher course at my school, and it was very good. He also helps run the Cessna Pilot Center training system.

[LoadMasterC141]

Where is he out of?
The majority of our students go to see John Foster in Waco. He is an AWESOME guy.
Also Pete Michaud in Brownwood.

[exleardriver]

Originally Posted by USMCmech

I had a horrible experiance with him.

He flunked a PPL studnet of mine twice on just the oral. After the first unsat, I made CERTIAN that my student knew the material. I also had another CFI give him a mock oral checkride. The second time he failed the applicant again, over the exact same stuff.

I asked aroud and most of the CFIs I talked to said that he was thier last resort.

On a few other ocaisions I observed him with other applicants, and found him to be unprofesional.


I highly recomned Charlie McDogal, or Rodger Sharp. I have used Charlie several times, he busted one student of mine, but it was more than fair. He does a very good job of putting the applicant at ease.

Rodger Sharp gave a CFI refresher course at my school, and it was very good. He also helps run the Cessna Pilot Center training system.

good god..flunked him twice on the oral after all that? and for a ppl?? on what specific material..aerodynamic theory??? it's a ppl...our 'license to learn', not a cfi or an atp ride for chrissakes! he'd never get another call from me again. he must have had a 100% pass rate until your student and was working on his 'percentages'..

[mhcasey]

Wow thanks for the warning USM. Fortunately, my student isn't the guinea pig. Another CFI is sending a student to him tomorrow and asked if I had a gouge. I'll ask tomorrow for an update from the poor guy. Barr is out of San Antonio.

Michaud and McDougal are great. The last I heard McDougal was not coming all the way to Austin (where I'm at) to give rides because his aircraft was down. Hey USM, do you have a PPL and/or commercial gouge on McDougal? Not that I really expect any major surprises. He and Pete both worked straight out of the PTS...

Do you guys recommend anyone else? McDougal actually recommended Sharp, but I haven't used him. Is he at New Braunfels?

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by exleardriver

good god..flunked him twice on the oral after all that? and for a ppl?? on what specific material..aerodynamic theory??? it's a ppl...our 'license to learn', not a cfi or an atp ride for chrissakes! he'd never get another call from me again. he must have had a 100% pass rate until your student and was working on his 'percentages'..

I give DPE's a 3 out of 5 pass rate, including retests. If they fail more than that, I'll use someone else - something's not right. Most instructors aren't that bad that they'll have less than a 75% pass rate, unless they're trying to push people through instead of actually teaching.

[USMCmech]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

McDougal actually recommended Sharp, but I haven't used him. Is he at New Braunfels?

If Charlie can't make up to AUS, the I would definately go with Sharp.

I heard that Charlie got his plane fixed, so give him a call.


One thing for Charlie with a PPL student. He will look at your Nav Log and point to the planned true airspeed and ask "where did you get that number?"

The correct answer is "from the cruise performance chart, right here".

"that's what my CFI told me to use" would be wrong.

Other than that, almost everything was in the context of a real world scenerio.



I honestly think Lewis Barr has days where he decides he is going to flunk someone, and vice versa. I flew with a woman who got her PPL from him, however I wouldn't have soloed her.

[LoadMasterC141]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

Do you guys recommend anyone else?

Honestly cannot say enough nice things about John Foster at Macgregor(Waco). Just a super nice guy and very laid back. I wrote an 11 page gouge of my checkride with him. If you want it, PM me an addy and I'll shoot it to ya. About 90% of all checkrides here go through him, with the rest goign to Pete Michaud.

[mhcasey]

Not that this is really needed, but Larry's checkride today was 2.5 on the oral and almost 2 on the flying. From what I heard from the student, it was pretty grueling, but he passed. I think I'll stick with Pete and Roger.

[mhcasey]

Hey do any of you guys have PPL/IR gouges on Sharp or McDougal? Even just general stuff like "yeah he's really into meteorology" or "better be able to explain the systems." Thanks a million.

[t82]

Look through Charlie's site. Some good info there. He never got too detailed on Prog charts or other weather stuff with my guys ,just wanted to see understanding and good judgement.
He is a pretty much down the list PTS guy.
Does some fairly intense unusual attitudes (2000 fpm down) and likes the 45 to be at least 1 mile long.
Being able to work the e6b to calculate GS in flight is important to him.
All my applicants passed first time and said he made them very relaxed.