Margaret Watt

Margaret Watt is a highly distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and flight instructor based at Hollister Municipal Airport (KCVH) in California. With an aviation career spanning over four decades, Watt was recently honored as the 2024 AOPA National Flight Instructor of the Year. Her journey began at age 16, eventually leading to a successful tenure as a corporate and airline pilot before she returned to her roots in general aviation. Today, she has amassed an impressive 29,000 total flight hours, including over 8,800 hours of dual instruction, making her one of the most experienced evaluators and mentors in the Pacific region.

As a Gold Seal CFI, CFII, and MEI holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, Margaret specializes in Private, Commercial, and Instrument practical tests. She is renowned for her rigorous safety mindset, notably requiring spin training for all her primary students—a practice that exceeds standard requirements to ensure superior pilot proficiency. Throughout her extensive career, she has maintained an impeccable safety record, which she attributes to her "practice what you preach" philosophy and a commitment to traditional, syllabus-driven training. Her evaluative style as a DPE is characterized as thorough and fair, focusing on preparing pilots for the complexities of modern airspace while fostering a genuine passion for flight.