Summer Martell

Summer Martell is a distinguished Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and flight instructor based at Jefferson County International Airport in Port Townsend, Washington. Growing up in a prominent aviation family at the airport, she began flying at a young age in her father's 1931 Student Prince biplane, eventually soloing in the open-cockpit antique before she could drive. With over 15,000 flight hours, her early career included work as an aerobatics instructor and a competitive airshow performer, where she gained significant recognition flying alongside industry legends.

Martell holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with Multi-Engine Land ratings and type ratings in several corporate jets, including the Gulfstream 100 and Falcon 900 series. Despite her extensive experience in high-performance turbines, she remains a leading expert in tailwheel operations and vintage aircraft. As a key figure at the Port Townsend Aero Museum, she specializes in the mechanical restoration and operational mastery of classic airframes, bridging the gap between historical preservation and modern pilot certification.

Her rigorous safety mindset is deeply informed by her survival and recovery following a serious engine failure and forced landing in her restored 1929 Curtiss Fledgling in 2013. This incident and the subsequent rebuilding of the aircraft solidified her reputation for resilience and meticulous emergency preparedness. Today, she is one of the most respected examiners in the Seattle FSDO region, known for her technical depth and dedication to mentoring the next generation of safe, proficient pilots.