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Daniel Robert Gudgel is an esteemed FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and veteran aviator based in Lemoore, California. With an aviation career spanning over five decades, Gudgel was raised in a crop-dusting family in the Central Valley, eventually logging more than 7,000 flight hours across airplanes, gliders, and helicopters. He holds a comprehensive suite of certifications, including an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and five distinct flight instructor ratings. His extensive field experience includes agricultural aviation as a California Journeyman Ag-Pilot and substantial time as a chief towpilot and charter pilot.
In addition to his piloting expertise, Gudgel is a retired Senior Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, where he served for 36 years. This unique background allows him to integrate deep scientific understanding into his roles as a DPE and safety advocate. Specializing in glider operations and aviation meteorology, he is a frequent contributor to the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) and various national soaring projects. Gudgel's career is defined by a rigorous safety mindset and a commitment to professional excellence, having maintained a clean safety record while mentoring countless pilots in the art of weather risk management and mountain flying.