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Lara Zook Gaerte is a distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and the CEO of Century Aviation, a premier fixed-base operation located at the DeKalb County Airport in Auburn, Indiana. With nearly four decades of dedication to the aviation industry, Gaerte has become a cornerstone of the Indiana flight training community. She has held significant leadership roles, including serving as the President of the Air Race Classic and maintaining a long-standing involvement with The Ninety-Nines, the international organization of women pilots. Her career spans airport management, corporate aviation, and flight instruction, providing her with a holistic perspective on pilot safety and operational excellence.
As a ten-time Master Certified Flight Instructor (MCFI), Gaerte holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a multi-engine instrument instructor (MEI). She has logged over 8,000 hours of dual instruction and is type-rated in the Challenger 601 and Cessna Citation Bravo. Beyond corporate jets, her expertise extends to technically advanced aircraft (TAA) and vintage tailwheel airplanes, such as her restored 1946 Aeronca Champ. Recognized as the 2020 Michigan CFI of the Year, she is renowned for her rigorous yet fair evaluation style. Gaerte’s specialization in transition training and her commitment to mentorship emphasize a safety-first mindset that defines her legacy as an educator and examiner.