One renewal, two initial designations make the grade
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 81,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than four
hundred 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 "creme de la creme" of the aviation industry!
Aviation educators who earned the "Master" title during July
are:
RENEWALS
Timothy Lee "Tim" LEMKE, Master CFI, Oshkosh
(WI)
Timothy Lemke recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. Tim is an independent flight instructor
specializing in primary, instrument and tailwheel training at the
Appleton (ATW) and Oshkosh (OSH) Airports. He also serves as
president of the Oshkosh Pilots Association.
INITIALS
James Brian "Jim" JACOBSON, Master CFI, Ellendale
(MN)
James Jacobson recently earned his Master CFI designation.
Jim is a Part 135 cargo pilot as well as a flight instructor with
Minnesota Aviation at Albert Lea Municipal Airport (AEL). He
has also served as a NIFA coach and adjunct aviation instructor
with Minnesota State University in Mankato.
David Raye "Dave" SIMEUR, Master CFI, El Paso
(TX)
David Simeur recently earned his Master CFI designation.
Dave is an independent CFI at Dona Ana County Airport (5T6) as well
as manager of Momentum Interactive an aviation training software
company. He is also a Customs interdiction pilot with the
Dept of Homeland Security.