Brian Alan Bird

Brian Alan Bird is a highly accomplished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and the owner of Northern Lakes Aviation, based in Duluth, Minnesota. With over 35 years of professional aviation experience, Bird has established himself as a prominent figure in the Great Lakes flying community. His diverse background spans general aviation, corporate flight departments, and commercial airline operations. Notably, his career highlights include a unique tenure flying a corporate jet for legendary musician Bob Dylan, as well as his long-standing current role as a commercial airline pilot. This breadth of real-world experience allows him to provide a comprehensive and supportive evaluation environment for new candidates.

Bird holds an extensive array of certifications, including an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate for single and multi-engine land and sea, and a Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI) rating. Uniquely, he is also a certified mechanic with Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) and Inspection Authorization (I.A.) credentials, reflecting a deep technical mastery of aircraft systems. As a DPE, he specializes in conducting practical tests for Private, Commercial, and Instrument ratings in both single and multi-engine aircraft. Throughout his decades of flying, Bird has maintained an exemplary safety record, prioritizing a meticulous approach that emphasizes pilot proficiency and rigorous risk management.