Ron Gustafson

Ron Gustafson is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Corvallis and McMinnville, Oregon, operating under the jurisdiction of the Portland FSDO. Holding private, commercial, instrument, ATP, and CFI certificates, Gustafson's authorizations are exclusively in the helicopter category, and he does not conduct airplane checkrides. He has actively conducted helicopter checkrides, including Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) evaluations, since at least 2009. Throughout his career, Gustafson has held notable aviation leadership roles in the region, including co-founding Avia Flight Services in 1990, serving as its CEO, and working as the Chief Pilot for Helicopter Transport Services in Corvallis and Aurora. He maintains a long-standing affiliation with Jerry Trimble Helicopters at the McMinnville Municipal Airport. As a recipient of the FAA's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, Gustafson has been recognized for over 50 years of safe, accident-free flight operations. He also serves as a regular judge for the annual Touchdown Autorotation Contest in McMinnville and has participated in safety technology demonstrations such as testing HeliTrak's Collective Pull-Down system on Robinson helicopters.