Pilot students at Kansas State University Salina can now earn instrument ratings without scheduling tests with outside examiners, following approval from the FAA granting the campus self-examining authority.
Under the authorization, students can earn their instrument rating immediately after passing an end-of-course test administered by the university’s chief or assistant chief flight instructor, rather than scheduling a practical test with an independent Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
According to university officials, the authority eliminates wait times tied to DPE availability and can save students up to $1,000 in examiner fees. K-State Salina also holds self-examining authority for private pilot certificates.
To qualify for the designation from the FAA, K-State Salina was required to teach the instrument course for at least 24 consecutive months and maintain a 90% first-attempt pass rate during that span.
“Examining authority is earned, and this designation is a testament to what we have built at K-State,” said Tysen Pina, aviation department head. “Our students have worked so hard to improve every day, and they have demonstrated remarkable knowledge and grit during this process. More than 100 students over the last two years passed the practical exam on their first try. This speaks to the overall excellence of not just our students but their flight instructors and aviation faculty as well.”
For more information: Salina.K-State.edu
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