DPE Travel Services

While we are always glad to host you at our home field and office in Asheville, NC (KAVL), we are also available to travel to other locations to conduct practical tests.

Due to the logistical planning required for off-site evaluations, travel dates are not available on our public booking calendar. Whether you are a single applicant ready to test, or a flight school coordinating a future multi-day event, please review the policies below and submit a request using the form at the bottom of this page. We will evaluate your request and reach out directly to coordinate logistics, provide a travel fee quote, and secure your dates.

Travel Policies & Logistics

To maintain a standardized and transparent process, the following policies apply to all confirmed travel evaluations:

  • Zone 1 Travel (Within 135 NM of KAVL): The travel fee for an evaluation at an airport within 135 NM of KAVL is $900.00.

  • Zone 2 Travel (In Excess of 135 NM of KAVL): Travel to airports exceeding 135 NM from KAVL is billed at a variable rate (typically an additional $10.00/NM).

  • Single Evaluation Travel: For single-event travel, we typically depart and return to KAVL on the same day. We strive to maintain this daily rhythm to ensure consistent availability at our home base.

  • Multi-Day & Group Scheduling: For facilities with multiple candidates, we can coordinate multi-day sessions where we remain local for the duration of the event. (An ideal arrangement for these trips is five applicants scheduled over a three-day period. This allows for two evaluations per day while leaving a final afternoon block available to address any necessary retests or discontinuance completions.)

  • Fee Structure & Logistics: The travel fee is $900.00 per scheduled time block for Zone 1, and variable for Zone 2. These fees cover all logistical costs, including air/ground transportation, overnight accommodations (if applicable), meals, and incidentals. Per our Terms of Service, all travel fees must be paid prior to departure.

  • Weather Go/No-Go Decisions: To avoid unnecessary costs, a final go/no-go decision must be made by an agreed-upon day and time. If travel commences after this deadline, the travel fee is non-refundable.

  • Examiner Cancellations: If we are unable to depart KAVL due to our own go/no-go decision and we are not available to conduct the practical test within five days of the original date, any prepaid travel fees are fully refundable.

  • Retests and Discontinuances: Should a retest or discontinuance occur that cannot be resolved during the scheduled travel window, the applicable travel fee is due for each subsequent trip required to complete the evaluation.

  • Commercial Carriers: If travel requires a commercial airline, airfare becomes non-refundable once booked. Any remaining travel fees will be non-refundable once we depart KAVL.

  • Processing Fees: All credit and debit card transactions are subject to a 4.0% processing fee. In the event of an approved refund, this processing fee is strictly non-refundable.

  • Standard Cancellations & Unqualified Applicants: Please note that in addition to the travel policies above, our standard 72-hour cancellation policy applies to the confirmed testing slot itself. Avoidable cancellations within 72 hours, arriving more than 15 minutes late, or failure to present mandatory testing documentation/aircraft airworthiness will incur the standard cancellation fee as outlined in our Terms of Service.

NOTICE: In accordance with FAA requirements, please be advised that travel fees are separate and distinct from the practical test (examination) fee. Travel fees do not constitute a testing fee and do not guarantee the successful outcome of any practical test.