Randal Rowles

Randal 'Randy' Rowles has served as a helicopter Designated Pilot Examiner in the Fort Worth, Texas area for nearly three decades, administering Private, Commercial, Instrument, ATP, and CFI practical tests in helicopters. Based at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, Rowles is the co-founder, President, and Director of Operations of Helicopter Institute Inc., which he established with his wife, Samantha, in 2009. His career in aviation began in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he took his first flight in a Bell 47J Ranger on his 14th birthday and worked odd jobs at Palm Beach County Park Airport to pay for his training.

Rowles has accumulated more than 15,000 flight hours and holds an ATP certificate, a Commercial helicopter pilot certificate, and a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate. In 2005, he became the first aviation educator to receive the Master CFI-Helicopter professional accreditation. His professional history includes working as an S-76 instructor for FlightSafety International, flying as an air medical pilot, instructing at the Bell Training Academy, and serving as Vice President and General Manager of Era Training Center. He also previously founded Palm Beach Helicopters and served as the Director of Training for Epic Helicopters.

Rowles served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Helicopter Association International (now Vertical Aviation International) for the 2021–2022 term and was awarded the 2013 HAI W.A. (Dub) Blessing Certified Flight Instructor of the Year Award. He contributes the monthly 'Checkride' column for Rotorcraft Pro magazine and is an FAASTeam representative for the Fort Worth FSDO. After earning a GED, Rowles went on to earn an Executive MBA from Texas Christian University.