Definition
A private individual appointed by the FAA, under the authority of 14 CFR Part 183, to conduct practical tests (checkrides) for pilot certificates and ratings on the agency's behalf. A DPE is not an FAA employee but is authorized to act for the FAA when administering the oral and flight portions of a checkride and issuing the resulting temporary airman certificate when the applicant passes.
Plain English
An experienced pilot the FAA has officially authorized to give checkrides and issue pilot certificates in place of an FAA inspector.
Context Anchor
You will see this term when scheduling a checkride, preparing for a practical test, or reading FAA training material about pilot certification.
Derivation
Designated' means formally appointed to a role on someone's behalf. The DPE is designated by the FAA, meaning they carry the FAA's authority for a specific, limited purpose — giving checkrides — without being an FAA employee.
Why Pilots Care
A successful practical test given by a DPE is required to obtain or add a rating to a pilot certificate.
Intuition Check
A designated pilot examiner is not just any experienced pilot or flight instructor. In this context, designated means officially authorized by the FAA to give the test.
Example Sentence 1
After her instructor signed her off, she scheduled her private pilot checkride with a local DPE.
Example Sentence 2
After passing the checkride, the designated pilot examiner issued a temporary pilot certificate.