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.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (08.27.25)
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