Tue, Jul 14, 2009
Three Levels Of Aerobatic Instructor Recognized
Master Instructors LLC recently reintroduced the Aerobatic
Instructor Designation Program. Initially launched in 2007, the
program is an extension of the Master Aerobatic Instructor
designation that became available in 2001. This voluntary program
has now undergone revision to bring it into alignment with other
Master Instructor Continuing Education Program products.
According to Rich Stowell, architect of the original program and
the primary reviewer of aerobatic instructor applications for eight
years, "the success of industry-based programs such as the Master
Instructor Continuing Education Program and the ICAS Aerobatic
Competency Evaluation (ACE) Program encouraged us to further
develop this broad program for aerobatic instructors." Many of the
same principles underlying the Master Instructor and ACE Programs
drove this process as well, namely the desire to:
- Establish professional standards
- Establish and promote a Code of Ethics
- Encourage continuing aviation education and
self-assessment
- Provide a process for peer review and recognition of
accomplishment
- Improve interaction and cooperation between FAA and aviation
organizations
- Foster increased trust in consumers of aerobatic-related
training services
- Foster increased trust-within and without the aviation
community-of the important role of aerobatic-related training
activities
The program recognizes three levels of aerobatic instructor:
Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (FI-A): This individual is not a
current FAA-certificated flight instructor, but possesses at least
a Commercial or an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, has
received instruction in and passed the FAA knowledge test covering
the Fundamentals of Instruction, has a spin endorsement, and within
the previous 24 calendar months has qualified to be an FI-A per the
program guidelines.
Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (CFI-A): This
individual is a current FAA-certificated flight instructor, and
within the previous 24 calendar months has qualified to be a CFI-A
per the program guidelines.
Master Certificated
Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI-A): This individual is a current
FAA-certificated flight instructor, has either been a CFI for at
least four years or been a CFI for at least two years and holds
Gold Seal status, and within the previous 24 calendar months has
qualified to be an MCFI-A per the program guidelines.
Candidates earn one of the three Aerobatic
Instructor designations through a rigorous process of continuing
professional activity and peer review. Renewed biennially, the
Aerobatic Instructor designation formally recognizes those aviation
educators who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to
excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation
community. To date, twenty initial MCFI-A and four initial CFI-A
designations have been granted; sixteen MCFI-A renewals have been
granted as well.
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