Rodney Anderson

Rodney Anderson is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Southern California who conducts helicopter practical tests out of Gillespie Field (KSEE) in El Cajon and John Wayne Airport (KSNA) in Costa Mesa. Operating under Circle Air at Gillespie Field, Anderson is a rotorcraft-only examiner and does not conduct airplane checkrides.

Anderson's aviation career began in the U.S. Army, where he trained as a military helicopter pilot. After his military service, he worked as a flight instructor in Southern California. In 1982, he co-founded HeliStream, Inc. at John Wayne Airport alongside his business partner, Barbara Perrin, establishing a training program modeled on structured military flight training. HeliStream later expanded to operate a satellite facility at the Circle Air Group FBO at Gillespie Field.

As of April 1997, Anderson had accumulated over 11,000 flight hours in various helicopters. He has served as an instructor for the Robinson Helicopter Company factory safety course. Reflecting his decades-long relationship with the manufacturer, Anderson and Perrin were selected to receive the first production model of the turbine Robinson R66 (Serial Number 1001) in November 2010 directly from Frank and Kurt Robinson. Additionally, in December 1989, Anderson was part of a four-pilot crew that set a world record by keeping a restored 1947 Bell 47B in a continuous hover for 50 hours and 50 seconds over Anaheim Stadium, raising money for the Lestonnac Free Medical Clinic.

Serving as a Designated Pilot Examiner since at least 1997, Anderson is authorized to conduct helicopter checkrides for Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII), and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificates. He is also authorized to administer Flight Instructor Certificate Renewals, Foreign Pilot Certificate Conversions, Ground Instructor exams, and Military Competency Certificates.