Sokol Cela

Sokol Cela is a highly accomplished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and veteran aviator based in Clarksville, Tennessee, serving the Nashville Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) region. His distinguished aviation career is rooted in over two decades of military service, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps before transitioning to the U.S. Army as a Warrant Officer. Cela reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) and was selected for the prestigious Army Experimental Test Pilot program, a role that demanded the highest levels of precision, technical knowledge, and aeronautical discipline. This background in testing and evaluation has deeply informed his approach to pilot certification, where he is known for being a fair but thorough evaluator.

With thousands of flight hours in both rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft, Cela holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and multiple flight instructor ratings, including CFI, CFII, and MEI. He specializes in conducting practical tests for Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine certifications, primarily operating out of Outlaw Field (KCKV). Throughout his career, including multiple overseas deployments and experimental flight testing, he has maintained an exemplary safety record. His expertise in risk management and situational awareness ensures that the pilots he certifies are not only technically proficient but also possess the safety-first mindset required for the modern National Airspace System.