Erik Daniel Kessler

Erik Daniel Kessler is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Houston, Texas, who serves exclusively as a rotorcraft examiner and does not conduct airplane checkrides. Operating under the Houston Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Kessler's examiner designations include Flight Instructor Instrument Examiner (Rotorcraft), Private Pilot Examiner (Rotorcraft), and Competency Examiner (Rotorcraft). His FAA certificates on record include Private, Commercial, Instrument, ATP, and CFI. Professionally, Kessler is an active emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter pilot for HCA Houston Healthcare's AIRLIFE program, where he serves as the Chief Pilot for AIRLIFE 10 in Pearland, Texas. He has been involved in the AIRLIFE program's regional expansion to surrounding counties such as Pearland and Liberty, Texas. Commenting on the life-saving impact of their helicopter flights in February 2022, Kessler stated, 'When we have scene flights and we make the difference between life and death, we can’t put a price on that.' Additionally, he has a historical professional connection to Veracity Aviation, a helicopter flight training and charter operator in New Braunfels and Pearland, dating back to at least 2012.