Michael Patrick Hughes

Michael Patrick Hughes is a distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Holtsville, New York, primarily serving the Farmingdale Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and the broader Long Island aviation community. With a professional career spanning several decades, Hughes has accumulated thousands of flight hours and holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. His certifications include Single and Multi-engine ratings, and he is a seasoned Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI). Hughes is widely recognized in the New York metropolitan area for his expertise in conducting checkrides for Private, Commercial, and Instrument ratings, as well as flight instructor certifications.

Prior to his transition to a DPE role, Hughes served as an Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) for the FAA at the Farmingdale FSDO, where he gained extensive experience in oversight and accident investigation. This regulatory background is further supported by a robust military history, as he retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Chief Operations Specialist and has held leadership positions in the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA). His background as an inspector provides him with a unique safety mindset, which he applies while mentoring and evaluating the next generation of aviators. Hughes specializes in ensuring that applicants meet the rigorous standards required for navigating some of the nation's most complex and high-traffic airspace.