Looking At Rebuilding The Art and Craft Of Flight Instruction

One of the few bright lights of 2009-2010 was the rise of SAFE... an uncommon new aviation association that seems to be on the road to DOING THINGS rather than just bragging about how good they are. Born of the political strife that resulted during the NAFI/EAA melt-down, we have come to find that th leading personalities in SAFE are some of the most dedicated flyers and aero-education professionals we've ever met. Doug Stewart is (very much) one of those folks.

As we previously noted, Stewart is the real deal... having been the National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year for 2004, and earned the title of Master Certified Flight Instructor, as well as Gold Seal Instructor, and Designated Pilot Examiner. He is based at the Columbia County Airport (1B1) in Hudson, NY, where runs also runs Doug Stewart Flight Instruction.

Prior to starting DSFI, Inc. he was the chief flight instructor for Berkshire Aviation Enterprises, where he had instructed since July 1991. Both the Windsor Locks Flight Standards District Office, and the New England Regional Office of the FAA recently recognized him as the “Flight Instructor of the Year”.

His most recent bio notes that he has logged over 9000 hours of dual instruction given, with over 3000 hours of that being instrument instruction. This instruction has been given in aircraft as simple as the J-3 Cub, and as complex as the Piper Malibu/Mirage.

Not all of his flying has been instructional in nature. He flew a PA46-350P (Piper Mirage) for the Serenity Hill Corporation for three years, and currently flies a Navajo Panther, on a part-time basis, for VanZon International, Inc. Aviation is not only Doug’s vocation, but his avocation as well. It is a consuming passion in his life. Much of his “time off” is spent flying.

One of Doug's greatest passions is helping to guide SAFE. SAFE is a relatively new member-oriented organization of aviation educators formed to foster professionalism and excellence in aviation through continuing education, professional standards, and industry accreditation. Together with their industry partners and the FAA, SAFE provides all segments of the aviation world with resources to advance the profession and to assist aviation educators in developing skilled, knowledgeable, and safe members of the aviation community. SAFE embraces the future of aviation education involving instructors, aircraft, students, technology, and learning.

FMI: http://safepilots.org, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews