Regular readers of ANN are all too familiar with the recent
turmoil that surrounded the National Association of Flight
Instructors and the ultimate upheaval that produced a new
organization... the Society of Aviation & Flight Educators.
Former NAFI luminary Doug Stewart has accepted part of the
leadership mantle as SAFE gets underway and it is that early,
tenuous process that Doug agreed to discuss for this episode of
Aero-TV.
Stewart is the real deal... having been the National
Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year for 2004, and earned the
title of Master Certified Flight Instructor, as well as Gold Seal
Instructor, and Designated Pilot Examiner. He is based at the
Columbia County Airport (1B1) in Hudson, NY, where runs also runs
Doug Stewart Flight Instruction.
Prior to starting DSFI, Inc. he was the chief flight instructor
for Berkshire Aviation Enterprises, where he had instructed since
July 1991. Both the Windsor Locks Flight Standards District Office,
and the New England Regional Office of the FAA recently recognized
him as the “Flight Instructor of the Year”. His most
recent bio notes that he has logged over 9000 hours of dual
instruction given, with over 3000 hours of that being instrument
instruction. This instruction has been given in aircraft as simple
as the J-3 Cub, and as complex as the Piper Malibu/Mirage.
Not all of his flying has been instructional in nature. He flew
a PA46-350P (Piper Mirage) for the Serenity Hill Corporation for
three years, and currently flies a Navajo Panther, on a part-time
basis, for VanZon International, Inc. Aviation is not only
Doug’s vocation, but his avocation as well. It is a consuming
passion in his life. Much of his “time off” is spent
flying.
One of Doug's most recent passions is helping to guide SAFE.
SAFE is the brand new member oriented organization of aviation
educators which fosters professionalism and excellence in aviation
through continuing education, professional standards, and industry
accreditation. Together with their industry partners and the FAA,
SAFE provides all segments of the aviation world with resources to
advance the profession and to assist aviation educators in
developing skilled, knowledgeable, and safe members of the aviation
community. SAFE embraces the future of aviation education involving
instructors, aircraft, students, technology, and learning.