National Association of Flight Instructors

February 8 - The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of these very special aviation educators.  Recently, they were all designated Master Instructors by NAFI, their professional aviation organization.

       To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 85,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 500 of them have earned the Master designation thus far. As a measure of the prestige conferred by this title, the last nine FAA National Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs.  In addition, the FAA has approved the designation as an alternate means for CFIs to renew their flight instructor certificates.

       The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA that is earned by a candidate through a rigorous process of continuing education 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. Simply put, the Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators, those "Teachers of Flight," who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community. 

       Through their dedication to excellence, Master Instructors have earned their "black belts" in aviation education. They truly represent the crème de la crème of the aviation industry!

Aviation educators who earned the "Master" title during January are:

RENEWALS

Andrew David "Drew" CHITIEA, Master CFI           
Centennial  CO    
E-mail:   DrewChitiea@comcast.net
Andrew Chitiea recently earned his Master CFI designation for the 4th time.  Drew is an independent CFI and pilot examiner at Centennial Airport (APA) and Front Range Airport (FTG).  He also serves on the National Instructor Safety Council (NISC) and is an Aviation Safety Counselor with the Denver FSDO.

Daniel Paul "Dan" MAHONEY, Master CFI       
Key Colony Beach  FL
E-mail:    DM2953@aol.com
Daniel Mahoney recently renewed his Master Instructor designation.  Dan specializes in training issues relating to senior pilots or "Gray Eagles," at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport (MTH).  He also serves with AOPA's Airport Support Network and is an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Miami FSDO.

Michael Jesse "Mike" PAULSON, Master CFI       
Fargo  ND
E-mail:    VW6772@aol.com
Michael Paulson recently renewed his Master CFI designation.  Mike is the manager and chief flight instructor for Flight Academy of Fargo, a Cessna Pilot Center located at Fargo's Hector International Airport (FAR).  He also serves as a pilot examiner and a safety counselor for the Fargo FSDO. 

Charles Arthur "Charlie" SKELTON, Master CFI       
Branford  CT
E-mail:    RBOCAS@msn.com
Charles Skelton recently earned his Master CFI designation for the 4th time.  Charlie is the chief flight instructor and president of Yale Aviation, a flying club located at Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN).  He also serves as a NAFI flight specialist and is an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Windsor Locks FSDO.

Robert Joseph "Bob" SPERA, Master CFI       
Wise  VA       
E-mail:   Liberty@mounet.com
Robert Spera recently renewed his Master CFI designation.  Bob is the owner of Liberty Flying Service at Lonesome Pine Airport (LNP) and teaches for Mountain Empire Community College.  He also works with AOPA's Airport Support Network and serves as a safety counselor for the Charleston FSDO. 

Charles Barcley "Chip" VERSAW, Master CFI        
Kenai  AK
E-mail:    CVersaw@ak.net
Charles Versaw recently renewed his Master Instructor designation.  Chip is chief pilot and owner of Alaska Flying Network at Kenai Municipal Airport (PAEN).  He also serves with AOPA's Airport Support Network and is an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Anchorage FSDO.

Orlando Raimundo VILLAVERDE, Master CFI       
Miami  FL
E-mail:    SkyKingVillage@aol.com
Orlando Villaverde recently renewed his Master CFI designation.  Orlando is an adjunct professor of aviation at the Miami Dade College School of Aviation and instructs at the Kendall-Tamiami Airport (TMB).  He is also an ultralight instructor and serves as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Miami FSDO.

INITIALS

Raymond Norbert "Ray" KLAUS, Master CFI            
Park Ridge  IL
E-mail:    ArayAviation@aol.com
Raymond Klaus recently earned his Master CFI designation.  Ray is an independent CFI who specializes in avionics instruction at Waukegan Regional Airport (UGN).  He is also a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award and serves as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the DuPage FSDO. 

Kelly Lynn ROSS, Master CFI       
Seattle  WA    
E-mail:   KLRdarling@hotmail.com
Kelly Ross recently earned her Master Instructor designation.  Kelly is the assistant chief flight instructor at Galvin Flying Service, a Part 141 flight school at Seattle's Boeing Field (BFI).  She also mentors new CFIs, serves as a stage check pilot and represents Galvin at local high school career fairs.

Lara Ann ZOOK, Master CFI         
Fort Wayne  IN
E-mail:  Copper@myvine.com
Lara Zook recently earned her Master Instructor designation.  Lara is an independent flight instructor specializing in primary and advanced training at several Fort Wayne area airports.  She also is credited with creating the "Aviator's Roundtable," an ongoing aviation safety discussion group.

G Alexander "Sandy" Hill, MCFI
Phone:  303-485-8136
Vice President, Dir of Education
Nat'l Association of Flight Instructors