Eight CFIs were recently accredited as Masters by Master Instructors LLC, the international Master Instructor accrediting authority.
To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 97,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 800 have earned Master accreditation. The last 18 National Flight Instructors of the Year or FAASTeam Representatives of the Year were Master CFIs. In addition, the FAA has approved the accreditation as an alternate means for CFIs to renew their flight instructor certificates.
The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA and industry that is earned by a candidate through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review. Much like a flight instructor’s certificate, it must be renewed biennially. This process parallels continuing education regimens used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism.
Aviation educators who earned the “Master” title during April are:
Raylene Alexander, Master Aviation Educator, Lindsborg, Kansas; Gordon Ewald, Master Instructor Emeritus, Hardy Va.; Thomas “Mike” Garrison, Master CFI, Leawood Kansas; Paul Gretschel, Master CFI, Coram, N.Y.; Mark Lamb, Master Aviation Educator, Yardville, N.J.; Quay Snyder, Master CFI, Monument, Colo.; Cathleen Steele, Master CFI, Severna Park Md.; and Hobie Tomlinson, Master CFI, Huntington Vermont.
For more information: MasterInstructors.org