Bradley Palmer

Bradley Palmer is a highly experienced aviator and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Charlottesville, Virginia. His aviation journey began in Pittsburgh, where he transitioned from a line technician to a flight instructor and check pilot at a Part 141 school. Palmer’s professional flight experience is extensive, featuring a decade-long tenure at Piedmont Airlines and a career as an Airbus A321 Captain for Global Crossing Airlines. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with multiple type ratings, as well as Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Remote Pilot credentials.

Palmer’s safety-centric perspective was significantly influenced by his leadership tenure at the FAA, where he served as Deputy Director of the Office of Safety Standards and Manager of the General Aviation and Commercial Division. During his development of the Pilot Records Database, he worked closely with families impacted by the Colgan Air Flight 3407 tragedy, a sobering experience that reinforced his commitment to rigorous training and oversight. As a DPE, he specializes in Private, Commercial, Instrument, and CFI certifications, bridging traditional general aviation with emerging flight technologies to ensure the highest standards of safety for the next generation of pilots.