Meet the Examiner
Nate Leming is a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based at the Branson West Airport (KFWB) in Southwest Missouri. He is native to the area, and has been involved with local aviation for nearly 30 years. His professional flying career involves extensive experience as a flight instructor both in light aircraft and large transport category jets. Over the years, Nate has flown around the world to more than 50 different countries in five different types of jets including the Boeing 747. Currently, he is a 737 Captain and Line Check Airman at United Airlines where he trains and evaluates new and existing pilots at the world’s largest airline.
Nate has maintained a strong connection with local aviation throughout his airline career. He and his wife Brandy formerly owned and operated “Branson Barnstormer” and sold historic biplane rides in their vintage 1941 Boeing Stearman. In fact, Nate was featured flying the biplane on the cover of the 2025/2026 Missouri Aeronautical Chart! Currently Nate owns a beautifully maintained Cessna 180J bush plane and uses it to explore the vast back country of the Ozarks with his family.
Flying is both business and pleasure for Nate and his family - at the same time! There’s no reason the FAA Practical Test can’t be a pleasant experience as well. Read below for a personal “Note from Nate”.
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A Note from Nate
Congrats on a job well done in training! I get it – nobody wants to take a checkride, but why not? Usually, it’s because of the mystery involved in an oral exam or preflight jitters. I’m a pilot; I know the feeling well! Here’s my promise to you. We will have a practical conversation about flying according to the test standards published at FAA.gov. No games, or “stump the chump” . So let’s go fly, and send you on your way with the certificate or rating you’ve earned.
If you have scheduling questions, please contact me via email. I check my inbox often, and will do my best to respond promptly! Once you’re on the calendar, I’ll send detailed instructions for your checkride flight planning and preparation.
See you soon!
- Nate
