Bradford Holt

Bradford "Brad" Holt is a highly distinguished aviator and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Moose Pass, Alaska, with more than five decades of experience in the cockpit. As the founder of Alaska Float Ratings, Holt has become a central figure in the Alaskan aviation community, specializing in seaplane operations on Trail Lake. His extensive professional background includes high-level leadership roles in the commercial airline industry, where he served as President and COO of Part 121 air carriers, as well as Director of Flight Standards and Training. These executive positions provided him with a profound understanding of regulatory compliance and operational safety that he now brings to his work as an examiner.

Holt holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a veteran Gold Seal Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI). Throughout his career, he has amassed thousands of flight hours, transitioning from rugged bush flying in the Alaskan wilderness to decades of complex airline service. Known for his signature safety mantra, "Keep the shiny side up," Holt emphasizes risk management and sound aeronautical decision-making in every evaluation. His expertise in mountain flying and floatplane transitions has made him a sought-after mentor for pilots navigating the unique and often unforgiving challenges of the Last Frontier.