First Helicopter Accreditation Goes To An Instructor In Fort Worth, TX

Master Instructors LLC and its Board of Review take pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of these very special aviation educators.  Recently, they were all accredited as Masters by Master Instructors LLC.

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA and industry that is earned by a candidate through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review.  Much like a flight instructor's certificate, it must be renewed biennially. This process parallels continuing education regimens used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Master Instructors says the designation is "a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators who are demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community." 

Aviation educators who earned the "Master" title during December are:

• Master CFI Richard Kingston "Rick" Wright of Phoenix,  AZ, a 2-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Rick is the president and owner of Wright Aviation LLC  where he specializes in transition and technically advanced aircraft training.  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Scottsdale FSDO area. Rick@WrightAviation.net
• Master CFI Joel David Weaner of Jacksonville, FL, a 5-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Joel is the owner of Beach Banners where he specializes in aerial advertising, aircraft rental, and flight instruction at Craig Municipal Airport (CRG).  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Orlando / North Florida FSDO area. Joel@BeachBanners.com
• Master CFI Stanley Eugene "Stan" Swank II of Jacksonville, FL, a 1st-time Master and SAFE member, recently earned his Master CFI accreditation.  Stan is a Part 141 assistant chief flight instructor and ground instructor with ATP Flight Academy at Jacksonville's Craig Municipal Airport (CRG).  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Orlando / North Florida FSDO area. Stan@AllATPs.com
• Master CFI Robert Joseph "Bob" Spera of Wise, VA, a 5-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Bob is the FBO at Lonesome Pine Airport (LNP) as well as a flight instructor, ground instructor, and owner of Lonesome Pine's Liberty Flying Service.  He also serves with the USCG Auxiliary and is a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Charleston (West Virginia) FSDO area. Liberty@mounet.com
• Master CFI-Helicopter Randal Rock "Randy" Rowles of Fort Worth, TX a 3-time Master and SAFE member, recently became the first aviation educator to earn Master CFI-Helicopter accreditation.  Randy is the vice president of Night Flight Concepts  where he specializes in night vision goggle training.  A member of the Helicopter Association International (HAI), he also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Fort Worth FSDO area. Randy.Rowles@NightFlightConcepts.com, RandalRowles@hotmail.com
• Master CFI Jelica Matic of Honolulu, HI, a 2-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed her Master CFI accreditation.  Jelica is an independent flight and ground instructor specializing in primary training at Honolulu International (HNL) and Kalaeloa Airports (HJR).  She is also active in The 99s and serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Honolulu FSDO area. JelicaMatic@yahoo.com
• Master CFI Andrew Marinelli of Youngstown, OH, a 3-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Andrew is an independent flight and ground instructor with Crosswind Aviation at Youngstown's Elser Metro Airport (4G4).  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Cleveland FSDO area. Biancshi@aol.com
• Master CFI Lonnie Lee Hilkemeier of Boulder, CO, a 7-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Colorado's first Master Instructor, Lonnie is the senior flight instructor and president of Specialty Flight Training, a Cessna Pilot Center at Boulder Airport (BDU).  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Denver FSDO area. Lonnie@SpecialtyFlight.com
• Master CFI Michael Maya Charles of Erie, CO, a 1st-time Master and SAFE member, recently earned his Master CFI accreditation.  A noted aviation writer and retired FedEx pilot, Michael is an independent fixed and rotary wing flight instructor at Colorado's Erie Municipal Airport (EIK).  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Denver FSDO area. MMC@ArtfulPublishing.com
• Master Aviation Educator Gary Michael Brossett of Midland, GA, a 1st-time Master and member of the AMT Society, recently earned his Master Aviation Educator (MAE) accreditation.  Gary is a quality engineer specializing in maintenance and safety systems training at Pratt & Whitney's Columbus Engine Center.  An A&P with IA, he also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Atlanta FSDO area. Gary.Brossett@PW.UTC.com, BrossettG@bellsouth.net
• Master CFI Terry Wayne Brandt of Avondale, AZ, a 6-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Terry is a flight instructor specializing in light sport aircraft, glider, and gyroplane flight training at Buckeye Municipal (BXK) and Maricopa's Estrella Sailport (E68).  He also serves as a designated pilot examiner (DPE) and FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Scottsdale FSDO area. TBrandt33@earthlink.net

FMI: www.SafePilots.org, www.MasterInstructors.org