Daniel Lee Kelley

Daniel Lee Kelley is a highly accomplished aviator and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Council Bluffs, Iowa, serving the Des Moines Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Kelley has amassed over 17,000 total flight hours and more than 1,700 examiner hours throughout a career spanning more than two decades. He currently serves as a Captain for United Airlines, where he has operated an extensive range of heavy aircraft, including the Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.

Raised on a family grain farm near Red Oak, Iowa, Kelley transitioned from an agricultural background to professional aviation, earning his CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings in 2001. His distinguished career includes serving as a Gold Seal Flight Instructor and as an Assistant Chief CFI at Part 141 flight schools. Today, he operates Kelley Aviation, LLC, specializing in practical tests for Private, Instrument, Commercial, and ATP certificates. His dual-track experience as a major airline captain and dedicated examiner fosters a rigorous safety mindset and a commitment to maintaining high standards within the aviation community.