Tim Tucker, Doug Stewart Recognized for Instructional Work Throughout the Industry

The National Association of Flight Instructors added the latest bunch to its Hall of Fame, inducting Doug Stewart and Tim Tucker for their work in 'improving safety through instructional excellence.'

NAFI's 2024 inductees will be honored for their 'significant contributions to instructor professionalism and improvement of pilot technique to further reduce the accident rate in general aviation' at the group's member breakfast during AirVenture later this month.

Riding along with the induction announcement, NAFI highlighted the efforts of Stewart and Tucker in their quest to improve the quality of pilot education. Both have "served as much-needed mentors within the aviation education sphere" and "given back to the industry by working in coordination with the FAA, associations, and aerospace companies on various certification and safety committees."

Stewart was the 2004 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year, and has worked as a full-time CFI long enough to rack up more than 13,500 hours of flight instruction, with a stout 5,700 hours of instrument instruction. Stewart is a Gold Seal instructor, a Master Instructor for 26 years, and a designated pilot examiner for more than 20 years.

His experience has given him chances to serve on the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee, the FAA-initiated Aviation Rulemaking Committee, and the Rulemaking Advisory Committee that revamped the PTS into today's ACS certification guidelines.

Tucker comes to the table with more than 8,800 hours of instruction time under his belt, with stints as an IP in the Army, a civil CFI, and a DPE. He's spent a lot of time with the Robinson Helicopter Company, taking delivery of the first R22 off the line before approving the first student solo of the same. He became the firm's go-to chief instructor for 38 years, working on the R22 and R44 to produce the company's official training materials. Tucker's work with Robinson led to the Safety Course, cited for cutting the R22 accident rate in instruction by a whole 66%. After retiring in 2020, Tucker has continued lending his voice to the world of rotary wing flight, helping to popularize the medium and enhance safety however he can. To date, Tucker has conducted more than 8,794 helicopter practical tests throughout his career, with an eye popping 7,514 hours as an FAA pilot examiner.

NAFI President Paul Preidecker said, “The combined positive impact these two individuals have had on aviation safety and training is remarkable. Doug and Tim deserve our congratulations and thanks for their many contributions.”

FMI: www.nafinet.org