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James "Jim" Orlow Notstad is a highly distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and aviation veteran based in the Madison, Wisconsin area. With a professional career spanning over four decades, Jim’s extensive experience is anchored by 34 years of service at a major airline and three years at a commuter carrier. A prolific educator and mentor, he has served as a flight instructor for approximately 39 years and has maintained his designation as a pilot examiner for 27 years. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a recognized Gold Seal Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI), bringing a wealth of high-altitude and real-world commercial knowledge to the certification process.
Throughout his tenure, Jim has become a cornerstone of the regional aviation community, frequently conducting practical tests at airports such as Middleton Municipal (C29) and Southern Wisconsin Regional (KJVL). Known for his scenario-based oral examinations and strict adherence to the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), he is highly regarded for his fair, professional, and safety-oriented evaluation style. As an active FAASTeam Representative, he emphasizes a methodical mindset and situational awareness, drawing on thousands of incident-free flight hours to shape the next generation of safe pilots. His areas of expertise include Private, Commercial, Instrument, and Multi-Engine certifications.