New Aviation "Black Belts"
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 eight FAA
National Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs. In
addition, the FAA recently 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 March
are:
Renewals
Steven George "Steve" TURNER, Master CFI
Kechi KS
E-mail: JRSTurner@prodigy.net
Steven Turner recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. Steve works with the Cessna Aircraft Company as
a pilot and flight test engineer. He is also an independent
flight instructor at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) where he
specializes in tailwheel and multiengine training.
Allan Jerome "Al" SKRAMSTAD, Master CFI
West Fargo ND
E-mail: ASkramstad@earthlink.net
Allan Skramstad recently earned his Master CFI designation for the
4th time. Al is an aviation department professor at the
University of North Dakota (UND). He also serves as a
committee chair with the University Aviation Association (UAA) and
is a safety counselor with the Fargo FSDO.
James Michael "Jim" LEON, Master Flight
Instructor
Peotone IL
E-mail: JLeon123@ameritech.net
James Leon recently renewed his Master Flight Instructor (MFI)
designation. Jim is an ultralight pilot examiner (UFIE) and
manages ultralight operations at New Lenox-Howell Airport
(1C2). He serves as an EAA technical counselor/flight advisor
and is a safety counselor for the DuPage FSDO.
Robert Edward "Bob" JEX, Master CFI
Vero Beach FL
E-mail: JexR37@hotmail.com
Robert Jex recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. Bob is a senior flight instructor and safety
officer with Pan Am International Flight Academy at St Lucie County
International Airport (FPR) in Fort Pierce (FL). He also
serves as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Orlando FSDO.
David Hall FAILE, Master CFI
Fairfield CT
E-mail: DFaile@aol.com
David Faile recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. David was the 1999 National CFI of the Year and
instructs at Bridgeport's Sikorsky Airport (BDR). He also
serves with AOPA's Airport Support Network, is an EAA Flight
Advisor/Tech Counselor and an Aviation Safety Counselor.
John Kent EARLYWINE, Master CFI
Fort Wayne IN
E-mail: JKE4034@aol.com
John Earlywine recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. John is a flight and ground instructor in
airplanes and gliders for Kendallville Flying Service at the
Kendallville Airport (C62). He also serves as an SSA
instructor in the Soaring Society's A, B, C & Bronze Badge
programs.
William Roger "Bill"
DONBERG, Master CFI
Kewadin MI
E-mail: BPDonberg@aol.com
William Donberg recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. Bill is the assistant chief flight instructor
and a ground instructor at Northwestern Michigan College's aviation
division. He specializes in training CFI candidates at Cherry
Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City.
Douglas John "Doug" CONCIATU, Master CFI
Sterling Heights MI
E-mail: Champ59E@aol.com
Douglas Conciatu recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. Doug is an independent flight instructor
specializing in primary and tailwheel training at Ray Community
Airport (57D). He also serves as a safety counselor for the Detroit
FSDO and is an active Young Eagles pilot.
Paul Oehler BENSON, Master CFI
South Orange NJ
E-mail: PBenson@lpawings.com
Paul Benson recently renewed his Master Instructor
designation. Paul is a primary flight instructor and
assistant chief pilot with Aero Safety Training, a Cessna Pilot
Center at Lincoln Park Airport (N07). He also serves as an
Aviation Safety Counselor for the Teterboro FSDO.
Initials
Jason Alan RANDAL, Master CFI
Mariposa CA
E-mail: Mail@JasonRandal.com
Jason Randal recently earned his Master Instructor
designation. Jason (www.JasonRandal.com) is an
independent airplane and helicopter instructor at Mariposa-Yosemite
Airport (O68) and Madera Municipal Airport (MAE). He also
serves as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Fresno
FSDO.
Helen Ruth CRANZ, Master CFI & Master
GI
Midway City CA
E-mail: HiFlyer1@worldnet.att.net
Helen Cranz recently earned both Master CFI and Master Ground
Instructor designations. Helen retired from the US Navy and
is the chief CFI for the Long Beach Flying Club, a Part 141 school
at Long Beach Airport (LGB). She also works as a ground
instructor with Hank Smith Insights.