Michael Taylor Copeland

Michael Taylor Copeland is a highly distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and the Chief Pilot for Flight Choice, based at the Downtown Island Airport (KDKX) in Knoxville, Tennessee. His extensive aviation history began with military service in the United States Air Force, where he initially served as a B-52 tail-gunner during the Vietnam War. After earning a degree from the University of Tennessee in 1976, he transitioned to the cockpit as an Air Force pilot, flying B-52s during the Cold War and serving as a T-38 instructor for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.

Copeland’s professional background also includes a successful career in commercial aviation, from which he retired as a Captain with US Airways after flying prestigious international routes for over a decade. Currently holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and a range of instructor ratings, he has logged thousands of flight hours across diverse airframes. As a DPE, Copeland is renowned for his fair and standardized examination style, specializing in Private, Instrument, and Multi-Engine certifications. His safety-first mindset is rooted in decades of experience in high-stakes environments, ensuring that every candidate he evaluates demonstrates exceptional risk management and technical proficiency.