Dedicated DPE Services
With our dedicated Designated Pilot Examiner, you can fast-track your helicopter checkride.
Contact UsThree Examiners,
Zero Delays
At TruFlight Academy, we understand that your time is valuable. The final step in your training is the checkride, a practical test conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), a senior pilot authorized by the FAA to evaluate applicants and issue pilot certificates.
While many flight schools in North Texas struggle with limited examiner availability, leading to weeks or months of delays, our structure is built for efficiency. To ensure you move seamlessly from student to certified pilot, our structure includes:
- An On-Staff DPE
Having an examiner as part of our core team means checkrides are integrated into our training flow. - Two Partner DPEs
Our close professional relationships with two additional examiners provide a "fail-safe" for scheduling, ensuring you get in the air as soon as you are ready.
TruFlight Academy's in Staff DPE
Meet Our Designated Pilot Examiner
David Lewis
David brings 19 years of aviation expertise to the TruFlight team. His journey from a farm in New Zealand to becoming a premier examiner in North Texas is fueled by a lifelong passion for machinery and flight.
Over nearly two decades, he has flown across the country, instructed countless students, and mastered various airframes. Today, as a DPE, he is dedicated to giving back to the aviation community by maintaining high standards of safety and proficiency.
Certificates
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
- Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII)
- Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
Why Schedule Your Checkride With Us?
Whether you are a TruFlight student or a pilot from the Dallas area looking for an examiner, we offer a professional and stress-free environment for your practical test.
- Location Convenience
We are located at Finney Field Airport (T47), just north of McKinney, serving all of North Texas. - Advanced Fleet
If you are testing in a Guimbal Cabri G2, you are testing in the most modern training helicopter available. Our DPEs are intimately familiar with this aircraft's advanced glass panel and safety features. - On-Site Housing
For traveling students or those coming from out of town for a checkride, we offer on-site housing to keep you rested and focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Search by keyword or browse through all the questions below.
A DPE is a senior pilot authorized by the FAA to conduct practical tests (checkrides) and issue pilot certificates to applicants who meet FAA standards. At TruFlight, we ensure every pilot we certify is safe, disciplined, and proficient.
While many schools face month-long delays, we prioritize efficient progression. By maintaining relationships with three DPEs, including our on-staff expert, we can offer significantly faster checkride scheduling for our students.
Yes. To support our traveling students, TruFlight Academy offers on-site housing. This allows you to stay focused and rested at the airfield leading up to your checkride.
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Ready to Level Up?
Don't let a scheduling backlog hold you back from getting your certificate. Experience the professional, personalized training that makes TruFlight Academy North Texas's trusted choice for helicopter aviation.