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Wayne Bezner-Kerr is a veteran aviator and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Ithaca, New York, with a career defined by both professional excellence and unique contributions to aviation history. Operating primarily out of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and the East Hill Flying Club, Wayne is perhaps most famously known for his specialized work in bird migration. He served as a pilot for the film "Fly Away Home" and spent years working with the Trumpeter Swan Migration Project, where he utilized ultralight aircraft to lead birds along migratory paths, a role requiring exceptional precision and an unwavering focus on safety.
Beyond his work with specialized flight, Wayne possesses a robust background as a corporate jet pilot operating under Part 135 regulations. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a multi-rated Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI), with specialized expertise in weight-shift control aircraft. Having logged thousands of flight hours across platforms ranging from light sport trikes to corporate jets, he brings a comprehensive, real-world perspective to his role as an examiner. Today, he is highly regarded in the Northeast for conducting rigorous yet fair checkrides that emphasize sound aeronautical decision-making and the high safety standards expected of modern pilots.