Melissa Torres

Melissa Torres is a highly versatile aviation professional based in Frederick, Maryland, with extensive experience in both fixed-wing and rotorcraft operations. Her journey began after a lifelong fascination with flight, eventually training in Virginia before becoming a cornerstone of the Mid-Atlantic aviation community. Currently serving as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) out of Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK), Melissa is uniquely qualified with CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings in airplanes, alongside CFI and CFII certifications for helicopters. Her diverse professional background includes significant experience in aerial photography and land survey operations for Richard Crouse and Associates, as well as instructional roles at several Frederick-area flight centers.

Melissa’s safety-oriented mindset was forged early in her career during a solo flight in 1998, where she successfully managed a mechanical malfunction in a Piper Arrow that resulted in a gear-up landing. The composure she maintained during that emergency solidified her commitment to professional aviation and high-standard instruction. Today, she is widely recognized for her specialization in tailwheel endorsements and aerobatics, frequently flying her Super Decathlon to practice precision spins. As an examiner, she leverages her thousands of hours and cross-disciplinary expertise—spanning from complex aircraft to specialized survey missions—to ensure applicants possess both technical proficiency and sound aeronautical decision-making skills.