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.

FMI: www.nafinet.org, Tim.Lemke@gulfstream.com, Jacobson5000@hotmail.com, DSimeur@elp.rr.com