Thomas Dowell · USAFA · 6 yrs USAF (MQ-9 instructor pilot) · 3 yrs Citations · Frontier Airlines · Southwest Airlines · now full-time FAA DPE (Orlando FSDO, 8+ years) — Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI Initial, CFI Add-Ons. Type ratings: CE-525, B-737, A320. Listed on designee.faa.gov.
By the numbers
300+ CFI renewals. Thousands of certificates issued across all DPE authorities. 8+ years as an active FAA-appointed designee.
Air Force Academy to active duty
Thomas graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and then served six years on active duty as an MQ-9 Reaper pilot and instructor pilot. Active-duty instructor work is where the habits got formed: clear standards, repeatable processes, no surprises at the checkride table.
Citations, Frontier, Southwest — then full-time DPE
After active duty, Thomas flew Citations for three years before moving on to Frontier Airlines, later Southwest Airlines, and now serves full-time as a Designated Pilot Examiner.
Type ratings carried forward: CE-525 (Citation), B-737, and A320.
FAA designation — Orlando FSDO
Designated by the FAA's Orlando Flight Standards District Office for 8+ years, with authority for:
- Private Pilot
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot
- CFI Initial
- CFI Add-Ons
Initial practical tests and CFI initials happen in person in the Daytona Beach, Sanford, and New Smyrna Beach area — they aren't the focus of this website. The virtual administrative services listed here (CFI renewal, SOE removal, R-ATP unrestricted, ground instructor, MCE, MIE) are the slice that current FAA guidance allows to be processed remotely. The Dec 2024 FAA rule rewired how CFI certificates stay current — see the CFI recent-experience guide for the post-rule mechanics.
What Daytona DPE handles virtually
These are administrative actions — no practical-test flight component, just eligibility verification and IACRA processing. They can be done over a 20-minute secure video call under the same FAA oversight as an in-person appointment.
The gap Daytona DPE fills
Pilots get stuck behind small paperwork problems. A FIRC certificate that needs an examiner. An SOE limitation that's ready to come off. An R-ATP that's hit its hours. A military pilot who needs the MCE-to-civilian conversion before a job interview.
Customer after customer has shared the same story: they couldn't find an examiner who'd respond, who was willing to take the action, or who didn't expect them to travel for paperwork that should take twenty minutes. Careers were getting held up by something fixable in one meeting.
Daytona DPE exists to close that gap — same examiner authority, same FAA oversight, same regulated process, just without the travel and without the chase.
How Daytona DPE is structured
A one-person shop. Thomas runs every step personally — intake review, document checklist, DMS entry, video appointment, IACRA sign-off, temporary certificate issuance, follow-up. No outsourcing, no virtual assistants. The pilot you email is the pilot on the video call. By FAA rule, a DPE designation is held by an individual — not a company — so no one else can sign your IACRA on Thomas's authority.
Same oversight, no travel
Every virtual appointment is entered into the FAA Designee Management System at least 24 hours in advance. The DMS-required notice is non-negotiable per FAA policy — there's no shortcut here, just a more efficient way to deliver the same regulated service.
Where Daytona DPE is based
Raised on a ranch in Nebraska, based in Daytona Beach since 2021. Service area is worldwide by virtual appointment; in-person available in Daytona Beach, Sanford, and New Smyrna Beach, FL.
What pilots are saying
5.0 stars · 11 verified Google reviews. A few from Daytona DPE's Google Business Profile:
"Thomas was great, contacted him to have a restriction removed from my ATP. In less than 24hrs from the time I contacted him the restriction was removed! Thank you for your quick help."
"Great experience dealing with a very knowledgeable DPE. After going to several FSDOs and DPEs with no previous success… read full review on Google →"
"Thomas went above and beyond to ensure that I properly received all applicable additions through mil comp. I highly recommend him!"
"Tom helped me process my advanced ground instructor and instrument ground certificates. He made the process super simple and convenient, highly recommend."
Ready to schedule your appointment?
Submit the contact form. You'll have a document checklist within 24 hours.
- Submit the contact form
- Document checklist in your inbox within 24 hours
- Pick a time that works
- 20-minute secure video call — temporary certificate the same day