By ANN Contributor John Ballantyne

FAA's Manager of the Light Sport Aviation Branch, Martin Weaver, Monday announced that the first eight Sport Pilot Flight Instructor Examiners were appointed on Saturday, January 22nd, in Sebring, FL. FAA lists the following individuals successfully completed all of the requirements of the first Sport Pilot Examiner Initial course:

• William Bardin, Sacramento, CA, ASEL
• John Beaman, Portland, OR, WSCL
• Roy Beisswenger, Greenville, IL, PPCL
• Bob Bleadon, Selma, OR, ASEL
• Brian Carpenter, Corning, CA, ASEL
• Eric Johnson, Chandler, AZ, WSCL
• Larry Littlefield, Boyton Beach, FL, PPCL
• Romke Sikkema, Sebring, FL, ASEL

FAA reports that these individuals are, "a credit to the light sport aviation community." FAA also sent special thanks and recognition to Phil Lockwood and his staff for helping to make this a successful course, Morris Yoder for providing his Powrachute Pegasus and Tom Peghiny for his Flight Design CT2K. "It is because of the commitment of these fine individuals and organizations that we were able to meet the training needs of the initial course," concluded Weaver.

Sport Pilot Flight Instructor Examiners are empowered by FAA to conduct practical tests (oral and flight) to sport pilot and sport pilot instructor applicants. FAA is planning another DPE course to start March 21, 2005 in Sebring, FL.

FMI: http://afs600.faa.gov/AFS610.htm