JAMES ARTHUR HECKMAN

James Arthur Heckman is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Whitefish, Montana, who serves as the Chief Pilot for Two Bear Air Rescue at Glacier Park International Airport. Appointed as an examiner in February 2023, Heckman is a rotorcraft examiner and does not conduct airplane checkrides. His FAA certifications on record include private, commercial, instrument, ATP, and CFI. Heckman funded his early flight training via loans in Newberg, Oregon, during the 2008–2009 financial crisis. He built initial experience instructing in both fixed-wing and rotorcraft at Red Eagle Aviation in Kalispell, Montana, before flying backcountry charters and conducting Alaska Bush operations for Era Helicopters over Denali National Park. In February 2016, he joined Two Bear Air Rescue, a nonprofit search-and-rescue organization. In his role as Chief Pilot, Heckman operates the twin-engine Bell 429 and Airbus H145 D3, specializing in precision helicopter hoist rescues, night-vision goggle operations, and high-altitude mountain flying. Prior to his civilian flight career, Heckman worked as a U.S. Forest Service ground firefighter and helicopter rappel crew member.