MockDPE vs Sheppard Air — When to Use Each

Quick Answer: Sheppard Air and MockDPE serve completely different stages of instrument rating prep. Sheppard Air prepares you to pass the FAA IRA knowledge test (the written). MockDPE prepares you for the oral exam portion of the practical test. You need both — in that order.

What does Sheppard Air actually do?

Sheppard Air is a FAA knowledge test prep tool, not an oral exam simulator. Their method focuses on the official FAA question pool, with a study strategy designed to ensure no question on the test is unfamiliar. The result is preparation for the multiple-choice IRA written test administered at an FAA-approved testing center.

Sheppard Air is widely recommended for its focus on the knowledge test. What it does not do: simulate a live oral, generate adaptive follow-up questions, or evaluate your answers against ACS task elements. See sheppardair.com for current course details and pricing.

What does MockDPE actually do?

MockDPE is an AI-powered oral exam simulator for the FAA Instrument Rating checkride. It conducts interactive sessions in which the AI examiner asks questions, follows up on incomplete answers, probes risk management scenarios, and tracks performance across all 7 ACS task areas from FAA-S-ACS-8.

Each session can be customized with a departure airport, aircraft type, and simulated weather conditions — giving the oral exam a realistic scenario context. MockDPE offers full checkride simulations, focused task-area practice, diagnostic sessions, and lesson modes. It does not prepare you for the knowledge test written exam.

Are these tools competitors or complements?

They are complements, not competitors. They address entirely separate requirements of the instrument rating process:

| Step | Requirement | Tool | |---|---|---| | 1 | Pass IRA knowledge test (14 CFR 61.65(a)(1)) | Sheppard Air | | 2 | Complete required training and experience (14 CFR 61.65(d)) | CFII + flight training | | 3 | Pass the oral exam portion of the practical test | MockDPE | | 4 | Pass the flight portion of the practical test | CFII-signed-off flight prep |

There is no scenario in which choosing one tool means you should skip the other. If you are an instrument rating candidate, you likely need both.

How is each tool priced?

| | MockDPE | Sheppard Air IRA | |---|---|---| | Price | $29/month or $249/year | See sheppardair.com/instrument-rating.htm | | Model | Subscription | One-time purchase | | Free tier | 1 full checkride (no credit card) | Free trial available (scope not detailed — see sheppardair.com) | | Coverage | Oral exam (all 7 IRA ACS task areas) | IRA knowledge test only |

MockDPE pricing is available at mockdpe.org/pricing. Sheppard Air does not publish pricing publicly on all pages — visit sheppardair.com for current rates.

When should you use Sheppard Air?

Use Sheppard Air when you are preparing to pass the IRA knowledge test — the multiple-choice written exam required by 14 CFR 61.65(a)(1) before scheduling your practical test. This typically happens 2–6 months before you plan to take your checkride, depending on your training pace.

Sheppard Air's method is efficient for students who want a direct path to a passing score on the written. Its question-pool-focused study approach is well-suited to the fixed FAA question pool format.

When should you use MockDPE?

Use MockDPE in the 2–4 weeks before your checkride, once you have passed the written test and your CFII is close to signing you off. By that point, you understand the material — what you need is reps under live oral-exam pressure, with an examiner who asks follow-ups, pivots on your answer, and keeps the scenario moving.

MockDPE is also appropriate for CFIIs using it to assess a student's oral readiness before recommending they schedule their practical test, and for pilots preparing for an IPC (Instrument Proficiency Check) who want to refresh procedural and regulatory knowledge.

What are the honest limitations of each tool?

MockDPE limitations:

• Covers the oral exam only — does not prepare you for the IRA knowledge test.
• AI cannot replace a CFII. It cannot provide endorsements, evaluate flight skills, or substitute for dual instruction required under 14 CFR 61.65.
• Requires a subscription after the free trial. Requires internet for every session.

Sheppard Air limitations:

• Covers the knowledge test only — does not simulate the oral exam or ACS task questioning.
• Study-focused method covers knowledge test content only — not oral exam questioning, scenario reasoning, or ACS task evaluation.
• No adaptive questioning, scenario generation, or ACS task tracking.

Comparison at a glance

| Feature | MockDPE | Sheppard Air | |---|---|---| | Format | Interactive AI oral exam | Multiple-choice question bank | | Covers IRA written test | No | Yes | | Covers IRA oral exam | Yes — all 7 ACS task areas | No | | Adaptive follow-up questioning | Yes | No | | Scenario customization | Yes (airport, aircraft, weather) | No | | ACS task tracking | Yes | No | | Pricing model | Subscription ($29/mo or $249/yr) | One-time (see sheppardair.com) | | Free tier available | Yes (1 full checkride) | Not listed publicly |

Table reflects publicly available information as of May 17, 2026.

Practice Questions

1. The IRA knowledge test and the oral exam are separate requirements. Under 14 CFR 61.65, which must be completed before you can take the practical test?

2. A student asks whether passing the IRA knowledge test with a high score means they are ready for their checkride oral. What would a CFII say about the difference between knowledge test prep and oral exam prep?

3. You scored 95% on the IRA knowledge test using Sheppard Air. Your checkride is in 3 weeks. What type of practice tool would best prepare you for the adaptive, follow-up questioning format of the oral exam?

4. Which ACS task area involves knowledge of alternate airport requirements under 14 CFR 91.169, and is that content covered on the IRA knowledge test, the oral exam, or both?

5. A CFII has a student who aced the written test but freezes when asked open-ended oral exam questions. Which MockDPE session mode is most appropriate to build that student's confidence before scheduling their checkride?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Sheppard Air prepare you for the instrument rating oral exam?

No. Sheppard Air is a FAA knowledge test prep tool that prepares you to pass the IRA written test. It does not simulate the oral exam, conduct adaptive questioning, or evaluate answers against ACS task elements. MockDPE fills that gap.

Q: Is Sheppard Air's method effective for the written test?

Sheppard Air is widely recommended for FAA knowledge test preparation. Their approach focuses on the official FAA question pool. Visit sheppardair.com for current course details and pricing.

Q: Can MockDPE replace studying for the IRA knowledge test?

No. The FAA knowledge test is a separate requirement under 14 CFR 61.65(a)(1). MockDPE simulates the oral exam only. You must pass the knowledge test before scheduling your practical test.

Q: What is the difference between the IRA knowledge test and the oral exam?

The IRA knowledge test is a multiple-choice computer exam completed at an FAA-approved testing center. The oral exam is conducted live by a DPE during the practical test and evaluates knowledge through adaptive questioning against ACS task elements.

Q: Should I use Sheppard Air before or after MockDPE?

Use Sheppard Air first to pass the IRA knowledge test — it is a prerequisite for the practical test. Then transition to MockDPE in the weeks before your checkride to practice the oral exam format.

Q: Does MockDPE cover all 7 ACS task areas for the Instrument Rating?

Yes. MockDPE covers all 7 task areas from FAA-S-ACS-8: Preflight Preparation, Preflight Procedures, ATC Clearances, Flight by Reference to Instruments, Navigation Systems, Instrument Approach Procedures, and Emergency Operations.

Sources

• Sheppard Air — Instrument Rating (IRA) course page
• MockDPE Pricing
• FAA Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8)
• 14 CFR 61.65 — Instrument Rating Requirements
• FAA IRA Knowledge Test Questions

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Researched from publicly accessible vendor pages at sheppardair.com/instrument-rating.htm (verified May 17, 2026) and MockDPE's own pricing page. FAA regulatory citations reference current 14 CFR Part 61 and the FAA Instrument Rating ACS. Competitor products change frequently — verify current pricing and features directly at the vendor's site before making a purchase decision. Email corrections@mockdpe.org with any corrections.