Dave Wayne Santilena - Airline Transport Pilot, Mechanic, Ground Instructor, Remote Pilot

Dave Santilena is an FAA-certified pilot, remote pilot, aircraft mechanic, and ground instructor based in Kingwood, TX. Dave Wayne Santilena holds a Airline Transport Pilot certificate with Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL) and Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) ratings. This certificate includes type ratings for the ATR-42, ATR-72, Boeing 737 (B-737), Boeing 777 (B-777), and Embraer ERJ-145 (EMB-145), authorizing the holder to serve as pilot in command of these aircraft types. The Airline Transport Pilot certificate is the highest level of pilot certification issued by the FAA, authorizing the holder to act as pilot in command of scheduled airline operations and any aircraft for which they hold a type rating. ATP certification requires a minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time and passing rigorous written and practical examinations. Dave holds a Remote Pilot certificate with Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rating. A Remote Pilot certificate under 14 CFR Part 107 authorizes the holder to operate small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) weighing less than 55 pounds for commercial purposes, including aerial photography, surveying, inspections, and other professional applications. Dave holds an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificate. An A&P certificate is the most comprehensive FAA mechanic certification, authorizing the holder to inspect, maintain, and repair both aircraft structures (fuselage, wings, control surfaces, landing gear) and engines (reciprocating, turbine, and turboprop powerplants). A&P mechanics are qualified to perform the broadest range of aircraft maintenance, including annual inspections when combined with an Inspection Authorization (IA). Dave holds a Ground Instructor certificate. This certificate authorizes the holder to provide ground training for pilot certification and endorsements. Their most recent FAA medical certificate is a First Class medical, valid through September 2026. The FAA airman records for Dave Santilena are tracked and verified by AviatorDB.