The Best Of The Best

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 87,000 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 ten 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

Cleon Joseph Biter, Master CFI      
Lyons CO  

Cleon Biter recently earned Master CFI accreditation for the 4th time.  Cleon is a flight instructor with Air West Flight Center at Longmont's Vance Brand Airport (2V2) as well as a nationally known aviation weather consultant and researcher. He also serves as an Aviation Safety Counselor with the FAA's Denver FSDO.

Thomas Edward "Tom" Hendershot, Master CFI      
Littleton CO

Thomas Hendershot recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation. Tom is an independent Denver-area CFI and director of Frontier Airlines' aviation maintenance technician program. He serves as a safety counselor for the Denver FSDO and is a recipient of the Charles E Taylor Master Mechanic and Wright Brothers Master Pilot awards.

Sandra Anita "Sandi" McClure, Master CFI    
Mount Laurel NJ

Sandra McClure recently renewed her Master CFI accreditation. Sandi instructs at South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY) in Mount Holly as well as Medford's Flying W Airport (N14). She also serves as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the FAA's Philadelphia FSDO.

Camille Eileene "Cammie" Patch, Master CFI    
Boise ID

Cammie Patch recently renewed her Master CFI accreditation. Cammie is a Cirrus standardized instructor who owns and operates Glass Cockpit Aviation at Boise Air Terminal (BOI). She specializes in ground and flight training using technologically advanced aircraft.

Ralph Vincent Pollmiller, Master CFI    
Graham NC

Ralph Pollmiller recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation. Ralph is the chief flight instructor and owner of Pollmiller Flight Training. He specializes in intensive instrument flight and ground instruction nationwide and regularly serves a NAFI Flight Specialist at both AirVenture and Sun 'n Fun.

Timm Preusser, Master CFI  
Kleinwallstadt, Germany

Timm Preusser recently earned his Master CFI accreditation for the 4th time. Timm is the chief CFI and training officer at the Darmstadt Flying Club. He also serves on the Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association (COPA) board of directors and is a Cirrus standardized instructor.

Eric Joseph Shappee, Master CFI    
Salina KS

Eric Shappee recently renewed his Master Instructor designation. Eric is a Kansas State University flight and ground instructor as well as an assistant professor of aviation at Salina Airport (SLN). He also serves in the Civil Air Patrol's Kansas Wing and is an Aviation Safety Counselor for the FAA's Wichita FSDO.

David Howard "Dave" Wiley, Master CFI    
Lake Oswego OR

David Wiley recently earned his Master CFI accreditation for the 4th time. Dave operates Wiley's Seaplane Port (2OG3) at Lake Oswego and holds all 7 currently available flight instructor ratings. He also serves as a designated pilot examiner and aviation safety counselor for the FAA's Portland FSDO.

INITIALS

Dan Wayne Dirksen, Master CFI  
Grants Pass OR

Dan Dirksen recently earned his Master Instructor accreditation. Dan is the chief flight instructor and a ground instructor for Pacific Aviation Northwest at Grants Pass Airport (3S8). He also serves as president of EAA Chapter 725, is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and is the local AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer.

John William Revenboer, Master CFI      
Castle Rock CO

John Revenboer recently earned his Master CFI accreditation. John is a training captain and check airman with Air Methods Corporation at Denver's Centennial (APA) and Front Range (FTG) Airports. He specializes in instrument flight and ground training in helicopters.

Russell Frederick "Russ" Still, Master CFI   
Cumming GA

Russell Still recently earned his Master CFI accreditation. Russ serves in the Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol and is the owner of Atlanta Flight at Gwinnett County Airport (LZU) in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He specializes in primary and advanced flight and ground instruction.

FMI: www.nafinet.net