Todd Michael Underwood

Todd Michael Underwood is a highly distinguished FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and Master Flight Instructor based in Sanford, Florida. With over 35 years of aviation experience and more than 15,000 total flight hours—including over 6,800 hours of instruction and 4,000 hours in turbine aircraft—Underwood is a pillar of the Central Florida pilot community. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a six-time Master Flight Instructor and Gold Seal CFI. His diverse flight history includes serving as a US Forest Service Air Attack Pilot and Chief Pilot for a Part 135 operator, roles that demand the highest levels of safety and precision.

Beyond his examiner duties, Underwood possesses a unique professional background as a former Professor of Chemistry and a successful entrepreneur in the publishing and music industries. This academic and business foundation informs his methodical approach to pilot certification and transition training. He specializes in mentoring owner-operators transitioning into high-performance turboprops and light jets, such as the TBM, King Air, and Phenom series. A dedicated volunteer, he has flown over 420 missions for Angel Flight West, earning the Distinguished Pilot Award for his commitment to service and aviation safety.