Gregory Collins

Gregory Collins is a highly experienced FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and career instructor based at Hendersonville Airport (0A7) in North Carolina. As the owner of Blue Ridge Sport Flight LLC, Collins has established a reputation for excellence in pilot certification across the Southeast. He is a Gold Seal Master Flight Instructor with an extraordinary depth of experience, having provided over 15,000 hours of flight instruction throughout his extensive career.

His professional credentials include an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and ratings as a CFI, CFII, and MEI, complemented by his expertise as an A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA). Collins’ background is rooted in service, featuring a decade as a military policeman in the U.S. Army followed by service in the Air Force Reserve. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, reflecting a lifelong commitment to technical mastery and aviation safety.

Collins specializes in a wide range of disciplines, including tailwheel operations, seaplane training, and RV-9 transitions. His dedication to the aviation community was notably demonstrated by his efforts to rebuild local flight training after the 2024 Hurricane Helene floods destroyed his equipment. He is widely recognized for conducting thorough and fair checkrides for Private, Instrument, and Commercial certificates.