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Wesley Ross Van Dell is a distinguished aviation professional and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He currently serves as the Chief Flight Instructor for Rotorcraft at the University of North Dakota (UND) Aerospace, one of the premier collegiate flight programs in the nation. Van Dell began his career at UND as a student in 2003 and has spent over two decades rising through the ranks to oversee the day-to-day operations, curriculum standardization, and instructor hiring for the university's expansive helicopter department.
In his capacity as a DPE for the Fargo Flight Standards District Office, Van Dell brings extensive expertise in rotorcraft operations, including experience with the Schweizer 300C, Bell 206, and Robinson R44. Known for a meticulous safety mindset, he has maintained an impeccable record throughout thousands of instructional and evaluation hours. Beyond testing, he is a dedicated mentor involved in the North Dakota Rotor Pathway Program, where he focuses on bridging the pilot shortage by training the next generation of aviators with a strong emphasis on professional airmanship and risk management.