JOHN WOOD

John "Woody" Wood is a highly distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and flight instructor based in Kapolei, Hawaii, primarily operating out of the Barber’s Point Flight School at Kalaeloa Airport. His aviation journey is rooted in a premier military career, where he served as a U.S. Navy F-14 fighter pilot for 30 years. A graduate of the prestigious Topgun program, Wood’s background includes instructing at all levels of naval aviation, from fundamental flight skills to advanced strike warfare. He has since translated this high-performance experience into the civilian sector, amassing over 40 years of experience as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFII).

Holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and thousands of flight hours, Wood is recognized in the Honolulu FSDO for his expertise in conducting checkrides for Private, Commercial, and Instrument ratings. His career has been defined by an impeccable safety record and a rigorous risk-management mindset developed during decades of complex military operations. Transitioning to full-time civilian instruction and examination in 2021, he remains a cornerstone of the Hawaii aviation community, where he is known for mentoring the next generation of pilots with the same precision and safety-first philosophy he practiced in the cockpit of a Tomcat.