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Jeanette Renee Hibpshman is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and aviation safety expert based in Aiken, South Carolina. Her journey in flight began at the age of twelve with a formative ride in a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, eventually leading her to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Aerospace Studies and a minor in Aviation Safety. Before transitioning to her role as a DPE in early 2025, Hibpshman served for nearly six years as a Principal Operations Inspector (POI) and Aviation Safety Inspector for the FAA’s South Carolina FSDO. In this capacity, she conducted complex accident investigations and provided oversight for commercial operators, reinforcing a rigorous, safety-first mentality that she brings to every checkride.
Beyond her regulatory experience, Hibpshman is a Gold Seal flight instructor with CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings. Her professional background is uniquely rooted in education, having previously served as a college mathematics professor before dedicating herself to full-time flight instruction and evaluation. Currently, she specializes in tailwheel instruction and conducts practical tests for Private, Commercial, and Instrument ratings, as well as Flight Instructor certificates. Her dual expertise in pedagogy and aviation safety makes her a highly respected figure in the South Carolina pilot community, where she continues to serve as a FAASTeam Representative.