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Matthew Angelo Taggard is a distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and veteran aviator based in Ballston Spa, New York. Operating primarily out of Saratoga County Airport (5B2), Taggard has spent over twenty years in the aviation industry. He is a cornerstone of Independent Helicopters, where he has served as Assistant Chief Pilot and Operations Manager. His career path reflects a steady progression from primary flight instruction and Part 135 operations to high-level flight school management and federal examination authority.
Taggard holds advanced certifications including CFI and CFII ratings, backed by thousands of flight hours in both rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft. He is widely recognized for his rigorous safety mindset, frequently advocating for thorough pre-flight inspections and meticulous fuel contamination prevention. With a pristine safety record, he specializes in conducting Private, Commercial, and Instrument checkrides. His transition from managing complex flight operations to serving as a DPE allows him to bring a unique, proficiency-based perspective to every evaluation, ensuring the highest standards of airmanship for the upstate New York pilot community.