A recent interpretation of FAA Order 8900.2 has indicated that examiners must meet the “initial” DPE authorization requirements each year (300 hours in each class of aircraft). An upcoming revision of the 8900.2 to a version 8900.2a proposes reduction of these requirements to 60 hours in category with 10 in each class (with some deviations for classes other than “aircraft” allowed).

In anticipation of this change, the FAA is allowing examiners to request a waiver of the current and soon to be replaced guidance, the FAA is allowing waivers for examiners who do not meet the current guidance at their time of renewal.

A sample letter that the FAA has provided that an examiner may modify for use can be found by clicking the following:

Sample DPE Recent Flight Experience for Renewal Waiver Request

To learn more about this change and the policy interpretations, the following memorandum from the FAA can be reviewed:

FAA Memo Deviation to FAA Order 8900.2 Recent Pilot-In-Command Experience