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Rick Vanderweide is a highly distinguished Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and corporate aviator based in Renner, South Dakota. Serving the Fargo FSDO region, Vanderweide has spent decades cultivating a reputation as a cornerstone of the Midwest aviation community. He currently balances his examiner duties with his role as Chief Pilot for Eagle Construction, a position that highlights his expertise in corporate flight operations and professional pilot leadership. His career is defined by a transition from rigorous flight instruction to high-level oversight, ensuring that the next generation of aviators meets the most stringent federal standards.
With an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and thousands of logged flight hours, Vanderweide possesses a massive breadth of experience in both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft. He is a veteran Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI) known for his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to risk management. His safety-first mindset is reflected in his clean incident record and his evaluation style, which prioritizes sound aeronautical decision-making over mere technical maneuvers. Having conducted countless checkrides for ratings ranging from Private Pilot to multi-engine commercial certificates, he remains one of South Dakota's most respected authorities in pilot certification and safety.