Ronald Neal Ridenour

Ronald Neal Ridenour is a highly distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and retired United Airlines Captain based in Naperville, Illinois. With over 47 years of experience as an examiner for the Chicago FSDO, Ridenour has conducted thousands of practical tests across a wide spectrum of certificates. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI). His aviation career is deeply rooted in the Midwest, where he previously owned and operated Windy City Soaring, a prominent glider flight school in the Chicago suburbs, for 18 seasons.

A recognized leader in aviation safety, Ridenour serves as a Trustee for the Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) and is a frequent speaker at national safety seminars. His expertise spans both power and glider operations, holding a Gold Badge with three diamonds in soaring. He is also a certified A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA), providing him with a comprehensive technical understanding of aircraft systems that informs his evaluation process. Ridenour is particularly known for his advocacy of Scenario-Based Training (SBT) and his commitment to mitigating the "normalization of deviation" in pilot performance.

Throughout his career, Ridenour has remained dedicated to mentorship and education, frequently leading Flight Instructor Refresher Courses (FIRCs) and safety meetings. His philosophy emphasizes sound aeronautical decision-making and risk management, often drawing from historical safety data to teach pilots how to establish personal "hard decks." Respected for his thoroughness and fairness, he continues to be a cornerstone of the Illinois pilot community, ensuring the next generation of aviators meets the highest standards of proficiency and safety.