New MCFI-A Designation Highest Possible Level

The National Association of Flight Instructors and the International Aerobatic Club announced Saturday at Oshkosh they have partnered to establish and administer a designation program setting professional standards for individuals teaching aerobatics.

NAFI's program for Master Certified Instructors -- Aerobatic, in place since 2000, will remain unchanged. The MCFI-A criteria represent the highest designation that can be achieved by a flight instructor who teachers aerobatics.

"It is important that pilots seeking aerobatic training be aware of the credentials of those providing that training," said Rusty Sachs, NAFI Executive Director. "The IAC-NAFI program provides tools to allow them to do that." The new system, which is entirely voluntary, creates two new designations: Flight Instructor - Aerobatic (FI-A) and Certified Flight Instructor - Aerobatic (CFI-A). Each contains elements of the MCFI-A program, but with slightly less stringent requirements. "Any pilot can call himself an aerobatic coach," explained IAC. "The system we are putting in place will set forth tools for other pilots to identify the skilled professionals with the knowledge and skills required to offer top-quality training."

To participate, instructors submit applications for review by NAFI, which rates them according to experience in four areas of instruction. Applicants are graded on their professional services to the aerobatic community and how they have continued their own education through experiences as varied as aerobatic achievement and ground school seminars.

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) is an Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. (EAA) affiliate organization dedicated exclusively to raising and maintaining the professional standing of the flight instructor in the aviation community. The International Aerobatic Club, Inc. (IAC) is a division of the EAA responsible for the administration, management, and promotion of the sport of aerobatics in the United States under the applicable regulations of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale; Lusanne, Switzerland.

FMI: www.nafinet.org/, www.iac.org/