99's Blue Ridge Chapter

Heidi Ames began working at the Federal Aviation Administration in 2014 following a 23-year career in aviation and international affairs.  After graduating from college, she received her commission as an officer in the United States Army and attended helicopter flight training.  Following her service in the Army, Ms. Ames embarked on a civil aviation career that included utility and Emergency Medical Service helicopter operations.  During this time, she served for three and half years as a Civilian Observer with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Sinai, Egypt.  As part of the MFO, Ms. Ames was responsible for implementation of the Camp David Accords and monitoring the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. ​Ms. Ames began her service with the FAA in Aircraft Certification as a Foreign Affairs Specialist where she generated and interpreted numerous aircraft certification agreements.  She also served as a liaison to her assigned countries, which included Russia, Ukraine, Scandinavia, India, Australia, and New Zealand.  Ms. Ames transferred to the Flight Standards Service in 2018 where she served as a Foreign Affairs Specialist in the office that administers the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. ​Ms. Ames served in Warsaw, Poland from August 2020 until March 2024 as the FAA Senior Representative coordinating FAA activities with 23 countries: Russia, CIS, Eastern and parts of Central Europe, Balkans, Baltics, Türkiye and Israel.  Currently she works as a Front Line Manager in Aircraft Certification coordinating the FAA’s public facing aircraft certification documents. She holds a BA in International Studies from the University of Alabama with a concentration on Russia and Eastern Europe.  In addition, she holds an FAA Air Transport Pilot certificate and is a Certified Flight Instructor.  She is proficient in German and has a working knowledge of Arabic. A Brief History: 1991-Grad University of Alabama 1991-1999 US Army commissioned officer/aviator/instructor (Commercial/Instrument Helicopter) 1999-Comair Aviation Academy for FW ratings (Private/Inst ASEL) 1999-2001-Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) pilot 2001-2002-GA Army National Guard Maintenance Test Pilot/Supervisor 2002-2005-Sinai Egypt Civilian Observer with a Peacekeeping Force 2005-2012-Pilot/Instructor/Checkairman/Regional Aviation Manager (11 bases) for a Part 135 HAA Operator (added CFI/CFII and ATP Helicopter) 2012-2013-Chief Pilot HAA Operator 2014-present FAA