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Heather Michele Howley is a distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and the founder of Independent Helicopters, based in New Windsor, New York. Her aviation career began after a transformative trip through Europe led her to pivot from a veterinary path to flight. Demonstrating immense determination, she sold her belongings to fund her initial training in California and Colorado. Since establishing her business in 2008 with just twenty-five dollars and a leased Robinson R22, she has expanded her operations to include bases at Stewart International and Saratoga County Airports, amassing over 8,000 flight hours in both rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft.
As an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Gold Seal CFII, Howley's expertise spans a wide array of airframes, including Robinson, Bell, and Airbus models. She is widely recognized for her safety-first mindset, frequently sharing lessons from real-world challenges—such as intercepting critical student errors—to advocate for rigorous situational awareness. Beyond conducting checkrides, she specializes in long-line work, geological surveys, and insurance safety auditing. A dedicated mentor and STEM advocate, she actively supports organizations like the Whirly-Girls and The Ninety-Nines to inspire the next generation of female aviators.