They Have Their "Black Belts" In Aviation

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of these very special aviation educators. Recently, they were all designated Master Instructors by NAFI, their professional aviation organization.

 To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 85,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 500 of them have earned the Master designation thus far. As a measure of the prestige conferred by this title, the last nine FAA National Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs. In addition, the FAA has approved the designation as an alternate means for CFIs to renew their flight instructor certificates.

 The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA that is earned by a candidate through a rigorous process of continuing education 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. Simply put, the Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators, those "Teachers of Flight," who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community.

 Through their dedication to excellence, Master Instructors have earned their "black belts" in aviation education. They truly represent the cr�me de la cr�me of the aviation industry!

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

Renewals

• Joel David WEANER, Master CFI
  Jacksonville FL
  E-mail: Joel@BeachBanners.com
  Joel Weaner recently renewed his Master CFI designation. Joel is an independent flight instructor and owner of Beach Banners, a banner towing business at Craig Airport (CRG). He also provides airborne traffic reports in the Jacksonville area and is an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Orlando FSDO.
• Richard John "Dick" RIHN, Master CFI-Aerobatic
  Walnut Creek CA
  E-mail: RihnAirCo@aol.com
  Richard Rihn recently renewed his Master CFI-Aerobatic designation. Dick is an aerobatic flight instructor with Attitude Aviation (www.AttitudeAviation.com) at Livermore Airport (LVK). He is active in EAA's Young Eagles program and serves as president emeritus of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC).
• Charles Ray "Chuck" MC GILL, Master CFI
  San Diego CA
  E-mail: ChuckMcGill@sbcglobal.net
  Charles McGill recently renewed his Master CFI designation. Chuck owns Safe Flight International (www.SafeFlightIntl.com) at Montgomery Field (MYF) and specializes in high performance training. He also serves on the Miramar Technical Advisory Committee and is a safety counselor for the San Diego FSDO.
• Gregory "Greg" KESHISHIAN, Master CFI
  New York NY
  E-mail: GregKesh@att.net
  Gregory Keshishian recently renewed his Master CFI designation. Greg is a New York metropolitan area independent flight instructor specializing in high-performance singles and light twins. He also instructs with the Bonanza Society's Pilot Proficiency Program and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
• Christopher Timothy "Chris" ANDERSON, Master CFI
  Janesville WI
  E-mail: AV8@ticon.net
  Christopher Anderson recently renewed his Master CFI designation. Chris flies with Midwest Express and is chief CFI for Wisconsin Aviation Academy as well as president of Progressive Air, both located at Rock County Airport (JVL). He also serves as a safety counselor and pilot examiner for the Milwaukee FSDO.

  

Initials

• James Joseph "Jim" PITMAN, Master CFI
  Glendale AZ
  E-mail: JPitman@pilotmail.us
  James Pitman recently earned his Master CFI designation. Jim is a member of the National Instructor Safety Council (NISC) and is the chief CFI at Westwind School of Aeronautics, a Cessna Pilot Center located at Deer Valley Airport (DVT). He also serves as a safety counselor for the Scottsdale FSDO.
• Robert James "Bob" MILLER, Master CFI
  East Amherst NY
  E-mail: RJMA@rjma.com
  Robert Miller recently earned his Master CFI designation. Bob is the chief flight instructor for Christian Airmen located at Akron Airport (9G3). He also works with AOPA's Airport Support Network (ASN) and is the creator of "Over the Airwaves," an electronic biweekly aviation newsletter.
• James Robert "Jim" MC IRVIN, Master CFI
  San Antonio TX
  E-mail: AF.CFI@swbell.net
  James McIrvin recently earned his Master CFI designation. Jim is an Air Force T-38 instructor pilot and examiner at Laughlin Air Force Base. He also serves as an EAA Flight Advisor and is an independent CFI specializing in Cessna 195s and other tailwheel training at New Braunfels Airport (BAZ) and Kestrel Airpark (1T7).
• Gary William KITELEY, Master CFI
  Auburn AL
  E-mail: KitelGW@bellsouth.net
  Gary Kiteley recently earned his Master CFI designation. Gary was the University Aviation Association's executive director for 23 years and is now director of the Council on Aviation Accreditation (CAA). He also serves a consultant with K & K Aviation in Auburn and is pilot examiner for the Birmingham FSDO.
• G. Alexander "Sandy" Hill, MCFI
  Phone: 303-485-8136
  Vice President, Dir of Education
  Nat'l Association of Flight Instructors

www.nafinet.org