should observe recognized safety practices, as well as  regulations during all flight operations.  The student pilot who enrolls in a pilot training program  commits considerable time, effort, and expense to achieve a  pilot certificate. Students often judge the effectiveness of the  flight instructor and the success of the pilot training program  based on their ability to pass the requisite FAA practical  test. A competent flight instructor stresses to the student that  practical tests are a sampling of pilot ability compressed into  a short period of time. The goal of a flight instructor is to  train the “total” pilot.  serve the public, and must adhere to FAA policies and  procedures in certification matters. The FAA expects the  DPE to administer practical tests with the same degree of  professionalism, using the same methods, procedures, and  standards as an FAA ASI.  The FAA has entered the second century of civil aviation as a  robust government organization and is taking full advantage of  technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite  technology to enhance the safety of civil aviation. The Internet  has also become an important tool in promoting aviation safety  and providing around-the-clock resources for the aviation  community. Handbooks, regulations, standards, references,  and online courses are now available at www.faa.gov.  The Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) plays an important  role in the FAA’s mission of promoting aviation safety  by administering FAA practical tests for pilot and Flight  Instructor Certificates and associated ratings. Although  administering these tests is a responsibility of the ASI, the  FAA’s highest priority is making air travel safer by inspecting  aircraft that fly in the United States. To satisfy the need for  pilot testing and certification services, the FAA delegates  certain responsibilities to private individuals who are not  FAA employees.  Appointed in accordance with 14 CFR part 183, section  183.23, a DPE is an individual who meets the qualification  requirements of the Pilot Examiner’s Handbook, FAA Order  8710.3, and who:  In keeping with the FAA’s belief that safety is a learned  behavior, the FAA offers many courses and seminars to  enhance air safety. The FAA puts the burden of instilling safe  flying habits on the flight instructor, who should follow basic  flight safety practices and procedures in every flight operation  he or she undertakes with a student pilot. Operational safety  practices include, but are not limited to, collision avoidance  procedures consisting of proper scanning techniques, use of  checklists, runway incursion avoidance, positive transfer of  controls, and workload management. These safety practices  are discussed more fully within this handbook. Safe flight also  depends on Scenario-Based Training (SBT) that teaches the  student pilot how to respond in different flight situations. The  FAA has incorporated these techniques along with decision- making methods, such as aeronautical decision-making  (ADM), risk management, and crew resource management  (CRM), which are covered more completely in Chapter 2,  Aeronautical Decision-Making.  Designated to perform specific pilot certification tasks  on behalf of the FAA, a DPE may charge a reasonable  fee. Generally, a DPE’s authority is limited to accepting  applications and conducting practical tests leading to the  issuance of specific pilot certificates and/or ratings. The  majority of FAA practical tests at the private and commercial  pilot levels are administered by DPEs.  DPE candidates must have good industry reputations for  professionalism, integrity, a demonstrated willingness to  1-24  • Is technically qualified  • Holds all pertinent category, class, and type ratings  for each aircraft related to their designation  • Meets requirements of 14 CFR part 61, sections 61.56,  61.57, and 61.58, as appropriate  • Is current and qualified to act as PIC of each aircraft  for which he or she is authorized  • Maintains at least a Third-Class Medical Certificate,  if required  • Maintains a current Flight Instructor Certificate, if  required  Chapter Summary  Role of the Designated Pilot Examiner 