What is MockDPE?

MockDPE is an IFR oral exam simulator that replicates the format of an FAA instrument rating checkride. It runs full voice-based oral exams graded task-by-task against the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Every question is sourced from and graded against official Federal Aviation Regulation, Aeronautical Information Manual, and Instrument Flying Handbook text. Scenarios are generated from live METARs, TAFs, and a database of 16,000+ real US airports. Grading accuracy has been independently validated by instrument flight instructors (CFIIs) and is internally measured to be 96.3% consistent across runs.

How Does it Work?

The oral portion of an instrument rating checkride covers a lot of ground. MockDPE breaks it down into bite-sized chunks so the practice is realistic, but not overwhelming.

1. Weather and flight planning: reading METARs/TAFs, filing IFR flight plans, alternate airport requirements under 14 CFR 91.169, fuel requirements, TFRs.
2. Regulations: 61.57 instrument currency, 91.205 required equipment, lost comms procedures under 91.185, IFR cruising altitudes.
3. Instrument procedures: holding pattern entries, approach briefings, missed approach execution, procedure turns, DME arcs.
4. Partial panel and abnormal operations: vacuum failure, pitot-static errors, unusual attitude recovery.
5. Cross-country IFR: route selection, MEA/MORA, airspace, airways, VOR/GPS/ILS approaches.
6. Aircraft systems: using real POH data for your aircraft preset, as well as any additional documents you upload

Every topic is tied to a specific ACS task. At the end of each session, you'll receive an area-by-area breakdown so you can see exactly where you're solid and where you'd get busted on the real test. This allows you to focus your study effort on what you actually need to before the real exam. Read the full Instrument ACS guide for a breakdown of every area of operation.

How is this Different from an AI Chatbot?

This is a fantastic question to ask, especially when the stakes are as high as they are. FAA checkrides are extremely expensive, anywhere from several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Not to mention a failed checkride goes on your permanent FAA record as a pilot. A failed checkride isn't the end of the world, but it's a mark that could make it harder to navigate your early training and career.

Generic chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini rely on web searches and their base training data. While this foundation has come a long way over the past few years, chatbots simply don't have access to information reliably enough to roleplay as a DPE. MockDPE's AI models have access to a custom database filled with FAR, AIM, and IFH content, as well as thousands of real approach plates and IFR charts. There are hard guardrails in place for generating questions and grading user responses to ensure the accuracy and consistency between runs is as close to a real checkride as possible while maintaining a very low pricepoint (and offering a generous free plan to anyone who wants to give it a go).

Compared to textbook study tools like Sheppard Air, Sporty's, King Schools, or Gleim (which are excellent for building initial knowledge), MockDPE is designed for building higher-order thinking skills, stress-testing knowledge under exam conditions, and mimicking what you'll actually be doing when you sit across from your DPE on the day that counts.

Modes and Features

Try any of these directly from the DPE simulator:

1. Full checkride: A complete IFR oral exam across all ACS areas, with a generated scenario (airport, aircraft, weather). This will give you a few hours of targeted practice, which makes it a great option for preparing as realistically as possible for the real exam.
2. Focused practice: Drill a specific ACS area (weather, regulations, approaches). This is perfect for targeting one of your weaker areas, just like your DPE will on the real exam.
3. Diagnostic: Shorter session to identify your strengths and weak spots. Great to work on with your CFII so they know how to tailor your training to your needs.
4. Lessons: Concept explanations on demand where MockDPE's AI will act as a helpful flight instructor instead of a rigorous examiner.
5. Gouge upload: Upload a study guide or gouge from a real DPE debrief and practice the exact topics you're expecting on your real checkride. This can be great if you have a reliable gouge, but you shouldn't be over-reliant on it since your DPE can ask anything covered by the ACS.
6. Immersive customization: 3 DPE personas, each with a different examination style. Multiple aircraft presets with real performance data. No two sessions generate the same scenario, especially when you customize them to match your needs.

Who is MockDPE For?

1. Instrument rating students finishing up training and getting ready for the practical test.
2. CFIIs who want to assign structured oral practice between formal mock orals.
3. Instrument-rated pilots preparing for an instrument proficiency check (IPC) and needing to shake off rust on regulations and procedures.
4. Anyone who wants to brush up on their IFR currency to be a safer pilot.

Why Should I Choose MockDPE?

MockDPE was built by a commercial pilot and software engineer who went through this struggle firsthand. Resources like flashcards and videos are a great starting point, but they don't come close to replicating how you'll feel on exam day.

MockDPE offers a generous free plan for anyone who wants to try it out, enough to have a few hours of focused IFR practice. There's absolutely no risk to get started and try it for free. If you want to take your test prep to the next level, a premium plan costs the equivalent of 0.1 on your trainer's Hobbs, fantastic value for the price. Practice for your IFR checkride today.