Pilot • Instructor • DPE

About Jim Pitman

Jim started flying in 1992 and has been a flight instructor since 1997. He loves flying, teaching, and helping pilots turn complex information into practical understanding.

He is currently a CRJ captain at SkyWest Airlines and an active FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. The guidance on FlywithJim.com reflects recurring lessons from decades of flying, training, and evaluating pilots.

Contact Jim

Flying experience

A career built around learning and teaching

Jim’s background includes airline flying, flight-school leadership, technically advanced aircraft, and extensive general aviation instruction. He has served as a Part 141 chief flight instructor, a Cessna Pilot Center regional manager, and an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. He has flown for SkyWest Airlines since 2016 and became a DPE in 2019.

As an ATP and multiengine instructor, Jim brings professional-flight-deck discipline to practical training while keeping the needs of general aviation pilots at the center of his work.

Awards

Recognized aviation safety and instruction

2005Arizona Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year
2006Arizona Flight Instructor of the Year
2020Arizona Flight Instructor of the Year
2020Regional Flight Instructor of the Year

Special projects

Helping pilots learn, decide, and serve

Volunteer aviationAngel Flight West

Learn how volunteer pilots provide free transportation for medical and other compelling needs.

Aviation safety initiativeGo-Arounds Are Awesome!

Help make go-arounds a normal, positive, and respected part of safe flying.

Interactive learningLook It Up!

Play a free multiplayer game that helps pilots become faster and more confident with official references.

Jim in the media

Articles, podcasts, and videos

Collections

Published writingJim’s AOPA Articles

Articles written for AOPA’s Flight School Business newsletter.

Video libraryJim’s Videos

Training tips, demonstrations, flying videos, and Stump the DPE.

Features and appearances

Podcast • May 11, 2026Nabbed! — Flying Carpet Podcast 43

Greg Brown and Jim share an aviation adventure with an unexpected encounter.

Podcast • August 15, 2025Aviation News Talk 397

Jim explains the APR key and common GPS approach and autopilot errors.

Webinar • September 26, 2024Common Checkride Errors

Jim discusses common checkride errors and ways pilots can prepare more effectively.

Podcast • July 6, 2022Aviation News Talk 238

A conversation about logging flight time, regulations, and practical logbook decisions.

Interview • Circa 2021NAFI 10 Question Challenge

Jim answers ten questions about flight instruction, learning, and aviation experience.

Article • July 2018Powerless

Greg Brown recounts Jim’s calm handling of two rare in-flight engine failures.

Podcast • July 18, 2008Talkin’ With Jim Pitman

Jim joins The Finer Points for a conversation about flying and flight instruction.

Article • November 5, 1999Instructor Tips: What I Learned From a New CFI

Greg Brown shares lessons from flying with Jim early in Jim’s instructional career.