David William Nicholls

David William Nicholls is an accomplished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Punta Gorda, Florida. His career is distinguished by several decades of professional flight experience, primarily serving as a commercial airline captain for a major global cargo carrier headquartered in Memphis. During his tenure, Nicholls amassed thousands of flight hours piloting heavy wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 777, MD-11, and MD-10. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a highly qualified multi-engine flight instructor, bringing a wealth of professional air carrier expertise to the general aviation community in Southwest Florida.

Since transitioning into his role as a DPE, Nicholls has focused on upholding the highest standards of safety and proficiency. He is authorized to conduct practical tests for a wide range of certifications, including Private, Commercial, Instrument, and Multi-engine ratings. Throughout his extensive career, he has maintained a stellar safety record, which directly informs his thorough yet fair evaluation style. Now operating from the Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) region, Nicholls is recognized for his commitment to mentoring the next generation of aviators while emphasizing rigorous risk management and strict regulatory compliance.