Leo M Bell

Leo M. Bell is a distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Riverside, California, with a professional aviation career that began in 1979. As the CEO and founder of California Aviation Services, Bell has dedicated over 25 years to flight training and maintenance at Riverside Municipal Airport. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor with CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings. His extensive experience spans thousands of flight hours across both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, demonstrating a rare depth of mastery in multiple categories of aviation.

Bell’s background is rooted in public service and commercial aviation; he served as a Deputy Sheriff and Chief Pilot for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, where he was instrumental in implementing their aviation unit. His professional history also includes serving as a Captain for Allegiant Airlines and a pilot for American Eagle. Since his FAA appointment as a DPE in 1991, he has become one of Southern California's most active examiners, specializing in private, commercial, and multi-engine practical tests. Known for his "real-world" safety mindset, Bell emphasizes risk management and tactical proficiency to ensure his examinees are prepared for the complexities of modern airspaces.