DPE Services

Adam Magee is a highly experienced and nationally recognized Designated Pilot Examiner for hot air balloons. Adam brings a commitment to safety, thoroughness, and a fair, conversational approach to the certification process.

Email Adam at balloondpe@gmail.com

Why Choose Adam Magee for Your Practical Exam?
Adam’s approach to the practical exam is consistently described as thorough, fair, and practical, focusing on real-life flight contexts rather than just rote memorization. He aims to ensure all candidates are prepared for a career of safety and learning.
  •  Experienced LTA DPE: Adam has earned the respect of flight instructors and candidates nationwide.
  • Thorough and Fair: He covers all required material from the Practical Test Standards (PTS) in an “extremely practical, conversational” manner.
  • Safety-Focused: Candidates have noted that his debriefs are “great learning experiences” and that he goes “above and beyond to promote a career of safety.”
A Fair Test for a Safe Future
When you take a practical exam with Adam Magee, DPE, you are engaging with an examiner whose entire career has been dedicated to raising the bar for aviation safety and instruction—not just for the test day, but for the rest of your flying career.
You deserve an examination that is a true measure of your skills. Schedule your checkride with Adam Magee to receive a fair, thorough assessment dedicated to your long-term success and safety.
Assurance of a Fair and Focused Assessment
Adam’s professional background as both a Designated Pilot Examiner and an award-winning flight instructor ensures an examination process that is thorough, practical, and rigorously fair.
  •  Focus on Real-World Competence: Adam’s approach is consistently described as “extremely practical, conversational, and in the context of a real-life flight.” The oral exam is not a session of regulatory drilling but a practical discussion to confirm you can apply your knowledge safely.
  • Detailed and Balanced Evaluation: Adam brings the attention to detail, critical thinking, and analytical skills of his Certified Public Accountant background to every assessment, ensuring every applicant receives an objective, balanced evaluation that strictly adheres to the Practical Test Standards (PTS). You will be challenged, but only on the required material.
  • The Go-To Examiner: Adam Magee is recognized as one of the most respected and sought-after LTA Designated Pilot Examiners nationwide. Instructors frequently recommend him, noting that he “definitely walks the walk in earning FAA awards” and is considered by many in the industry to be “one of the best in the business.”
Fostering a Career of Continuous Improvement
Adam’s numerous accolades reflect a core philosophy that certification is just the first step on a lifelong journey of learning.
  •  Commitment to Learning: As President of The Balloon Training Academy, Adam is deeply invested in the educational process. He understands that pilots can face challenges after initial certification. His examination process and post-checkride debriefs are designed to promote the self-awareness needed for long-term safety.
  • Valuable Debriefs: Successful applicants consistently report that his debriefs are “great learning experiences,” going “above and beyond to promote a career of safety” by providing actionable insights on areas of improvement that will serve you well beyond the checkride.
  • A Safety Advocate: By actively collaborating with the FAA to write manuals and improve safety standards, Adam ensures your practical exam is not just a hurdle but a meaningful demonstration of competence that aligns with the highest levels of industry safety advocacy.