Thomas Hamm

Thomas Hamm is a highly distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and veteran aviator based in Riverside, California. With over 35 years of professional flying experience, Hamm’s career is anchored by a distinguished tenure as an airline captain for a major carrier, where he commanded heavy aircraft including the Douglas DC-8 and Boeing 757/767. His technical foundation is supported by a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Cal Poly and an MBA in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, blending rigorous academic insight with decades of operational expertise in global airspace.

Serving the Riverside FSDO and based primarily out of Riverside Municipal Airport (KRAL), Hamm holds Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Flight Engineer certificates. He is widely recognized in the Southern California aviation community for his thorough and "by the book" evaluation style, particularly regarding CFI initial practical tests. Hamm emphasizes precise documentation and the practical application of the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI). His commitment to safety and professional standards ensures that every applicant is assessed with a focus on real-world proficiency and regulatory compliance.