Hail the Unsung Hero

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) announced on 16 January that nominations for 2023 Flight Instructor Hall of Fame inductees are open and will be accepted until 01 April 2023. Appropriate Flight Instructor Hall of Fame inductees are individuals who’ve made significant contributions to aviation education and flight instruction while distinguishing themselves and the profession of flight instructing.

The Hall of Fame award highlights the fundamental role flight instructors play in populating the aviation industry with competent aviators, and in so doing steadfastly advance the safety of the national air transportation system. NAFI takes no part in judging award candidates. Rather, the association merely oversees the process.

NAFI director of program development and hall of fame administrator John Niehaus remarked: “It is important to note that the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame is not a NAFI award, rather we administer the program on behalf of the entire aviation and flight training community. To maintain the integrity of the program, the judges represent a wide array of aviation professionals.”

2023’s Flight Instructor Hall of Fame judges include:

Greg Brown, a retired U.S. Marine Corps aviator and current director of education and training services at the Helicopter Association International.

Col. Julie Tizard, a retired U.S. Air Force instructor and former Part 121 instructor pilot.

Tom Turner, Executive Director of the American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation and former Hall of Fame inductee.

Britney Tough, flight instructor and board member of Women in Aviation.

Barry Schiff, former Part 121 instructor pilot, celebrated AOPA author, and former Hall of Fame inductee.

Parties interested in learning more about the Hall of Fame award program are invited to visit https://nafinet.org/flight-instructor-hall-of-fame

The Hall of Fame nominee application form can be found at https://www.nafinet.org/assets/docs/Flight%20Instructor%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20Nomination%20form%201-31-22.pdf

FMI: www.nafi.org