Jen Watson

Designated Pilot Examiner

Hi! I am currently scheduling Private ASEL practical tests, including tailwheel aircraft, for applicants training within the San Jose FSDO boundaries. As a new DPE, my checkrides may occasionally be observed by the FAA. I should soon (possibly at the end of June) be adding Commercial ASEL, CFI renewals and AGI/IGI certification. Instrument Airplane and AMEL practical tests are expected to be available toward the end of 2025.

Primary locations: San Jose (KRHV) and Monterey (KMRY), California.

Checkrides at other locations may be accommodated, but travel fees will apply.

Available days of the week: Monday through Friday.

Please note, if you discontinue or fail the practical test with another examiner, I will not accept a partial retest or continuance.

SCHEDULING
Checkrides are scheduled by using the Checkride Request Form below. Once you submit a request, you will be placed in a queue for scheduling.

Before you submit a request, you must meet all the requirements for your certificate or rating, be endorsed for the practical test by your instructor, and have IACRA submitted and signed by your CFI. I only schedule 7-10 days in advance. I will email or call once I have dates available to confirm all the details with you.

CHECKRIDE REQUEST FORM

CONTACT INFO

Email: dpejen@gmail.com

Phone: (916) 399 – 3669

Please note: I will only check messages or accept phone calls Monday – Friday between 0900-1700. Please do not call after hours.

POLICIES
Fees
Cash, Zelle, or cashier’s check only
Private Pilot = 900
Commercial Pilot = $900
Re-test for Ground and Flight = $600
Re-test for Flight only = $450

CFI renewal, AGI or IGI certification = $100

Tests conducted at locations other than Monterey (KMRY) or San Jose (KRHV) may incur travel charges. Typical airports I can accommodate are KSNS, KCVH, E16, KWVI, KCVH, KSCK, KTCY, C83, KLVK, KHWD, KOAK, KPAO, KSQL, KCCR, 1O3, KMHR, KMCC. Feel free to email me for your airport’s availability within this large area.

Cancellation

It’s aviation… things happen. Here are a few policies I have to ensure we are being fair and respectful of each other’s time.

Scheduling
Practical tests cannot be scheduled less than 24 hours in advance. This is to allow adequate time for me to prepare a  thorough and tailored plan for your practical test. To try to avoid late-notice cancellations due to applicant preparedness or weather, I only schedule 7-10 days in advance.

Cancellation by You
Practical tests must be cancelled no later than 24 hours prior to the test start time. Cancellations inside of 24 hours (other than for weather, maintenance, or emergency) will incur a $300 cancellation fee.

Cancellation by Me
As a flight school owner, corporate pilot, and parent, life occasionally plays havoc with my schedule. Although I make every effort to avoid this, cancellations or rescheduling may occur. In this event, because I only schedule 7-10 days in advance, I can usually have you rescheduled within two weeks. If that doesn’t work, I can attempt to set you up with another DPE.

The GOUGE
Although it might seem complicated, all practical tests are actually fairly simple – Examiners are required to follow the ACS. The more familiar you are with the standards we must hold you to, the better everything will go. Please make sure you are very familiar and comfortable with Airman Certification Standards.

I recommend reviewing the Appendices at the back of the ACS as there is useful information there. For instance, if the stall horn goes off while you are practicing slow flight on a Private Pilot checkride, is that an immediate failure? Look at Appendix 3 under the heading of “Operational Requirements, Limitations, & Task Information.” For a Commercial applicant, is a go-around allowed during a Power-off 180 Accuracy Approach and Landing? Again, Appendix 3 under the same heading addresses this very clearly. Knowledge is power, but it also helps calms nerves and stifle uncertainty.

The Airplane Flying Handbook is where the ACS references come from. If in doubt about how to demonstrate a maneuver, go to the applicable AFH section and read the expanded version. A side note on that – be sure to confirm the ACS or AFH do not contradict anything in your airplane’s POH/AFM. If so, your aircraft’s manual will “win the battle” for correct procedure.

The ACS Pilot’s Guide is also a useful item to review.

On a personal note, I have done many types of flying and taught for many years. My variety of experience gives me a broad understanding of the value of really knowing your stuff and, almost more importantly, being able to use the information in your head. Without context, it’s fairly worthless. I will give a lot of scenarios to watch you work through decisions. Take your time and don’t feel you need to rush to an answer. Think logically and practically about how to handle situations, and don’t worry about what I want to hear.

Requirements and Endorsements
Once we have confirmed a date for your practical test, I will ask you to send me your logbook totals, endorsements, knowledge test information, and more to ensure we don’t run into any paperwork issues on the day of your checkride.

Click here to review Private Pilot guidance

Click here for the Private Pilot ground and flight log I highly encourage your instructor to complete prior to the checkride. It will be requested as part of the documents I have you email to confirm you are properly qualified.

Click here to review Commercial Pilot guidance

Click here for the Commercial Pilot ground and flight log.

Checkride Checklist

About Me

Jen Delp-Mallet, tailwheel instructor, aerobatics, CFI, CFII, MEI

DPE, 3-time NAFI Master Flight Instructor, FAA Gold Seal Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, Qualified Aviation Expert Witness, competition aerobatic pilot and IAC judge, Formula One air racing pilot

Full Bio