Casey Rice

Casey Rice is a highly accomplished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and Airline Transport Pilot based in Lantana, Florida. With over 18 years of professional experience, Rice began his aviation career in the United States Army, serving as an AH-64D Apache helicopter mechanic with the 82nd Airborne. Since transitioning to professional flight in 2013, he has accumulated a diverse background, including roles as a Part 141 Helicopter Chief Pilot, a Part 135 Chief Pilot, and a First Officer on the Airbus A320. He currently holds a Gold Seal Instructor certification for both airplanes and helicopters, as well as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license.

As the co-founder of Patch Aero and owner of Examinair LLC, Rice specializes in advanced flight training and certification. His expertise extends beyond standard checkrides to specialized fields such as tailwheel operations, Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), and spin recovery. Rice is deeply committed to aviation safety, frequently volunteering with the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) to lead seminars on traffic pattern procedures and collision avoidance. His extensive mechanical and operational background provides him with a unique, safety-oriented perspective that he brings to every practical test and training session he conducts.