NAFI MASTER INSTRUCTOR DESIGNATION PROGRAM
Master Instructor Application Form
Master Instructor Application Form (type-able Word Doc)
Master Instructor Emeritus Application
Visit www.NAFImasters.org for in depth information direct from the Board of Review!
Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI), Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI –A), Master Ground Instructor (MGI)
The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation that may be earned by aviation educators and is based on a system of advanced professional standards as well as peer review. The designation is granted by NAFI and serves a dual purpose. First, it identifies and publicly recognizes those "Teachers of Flight" who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community. Second, it sets professional standards to which all aviation educators can aspire.
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The designation requires a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and, like a flight instructor certificate, must be renewed biennially. To promote continuous involvement in the aviation community, designees must remain active and renew their designations every 24-calendar months. Unlike one-time awards for past achievements (i.e., a “Gold Seal” flight instructor certificate or “Flight Instructor of the Year”), the Master Instructor designation acknowledges an individual’s continuing professional growth and involvement in a broad spectrum of aviation endeavors.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Candidates for the Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI), Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI–A), or Master Ground Instructor (MGI) designation must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements. A candidate must:
- be a NAFI member in good standing;
- maintain NAFI membership during the accreditation term;
- subscribe to and abide by NAFI’s Code of Ethics;
- be of good moral character [i.e., FAR 61.153(c)];
- have internet and email access;
- have demonstrated involvement and leadership in the aviation community
- have held, for a minimum of 48-calendar months (4 yrs), a valid FAA/ICAO-issued Ground Instructor Certificate, if applying for a MGI designation;
- have held, for a minimum of 48-calendar months (4 yrs), a valid FAA/ICAO-issued Flight Instructor Certificate, if applying for a MCFI or MCFI-A designation or
- have held, for a minimum of 24-calendar months (2 yrs), a valid FAA-issued Flight Instructor Certificate and a Gold Seal, if applying for a MCFI or MCFI-A designation.
- Board of Review may make rulings outside these guidelines for good cause)
Activities, Documentation and CEUs
All Master Instructor portfolios are reviewed in their entirety by the NAFI Board of Review (BoR). All MCFI-A portfolios are reviewed by an International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Board of Review as well. The IAC Board grants all aerobatic activity credit.
Each activity shown on the “Example Master Instructor Activities” pages is assigned an approximate number of continuing education units (CEUs). The number of CEUs granted for a particular activity is a function of the time spent completing that activity. The activity’s “quality” is also considered. Typically, colleges require approximately 15 hours of direct involvement for a single college credit. A similar time requirement is used to determine the number of CEUs granted for an activity. All student-contact time (both flight & ground) applies and may be counted toward total activity time.
Candidates must accumulate a minimum of 32 CEUs (approx 480 hours) during the 24-calendar months prior to issuance of the Master Instructor designation. The required minimum of 32 CEUs must meet the following criteria: A) at least sixteen CEUs (approx 240 hours) must come from at least two different EDUCATOR category activities, B) at least two CEUs (approx 30 hours) from at least two different activities must come from each of the SERVICE, MEDIA, and PARTICIPANT categories, and C) if applying for a MCFI-A designation, at least half of all CEUs (approx 240 hours) must be aerobatic in nature. Candidates pursuing more than one designation are cautioned that each portfolio submitted must stand-alone with no duplication of activities.
Listed categories on the “Example Master Instructor Activities” pages show multiple examples of typical activities that could qualify for CEU credit and are not intended to be all-inclusive. If the applicant’s activity does not identically match any of the activities listed, the Board can review it for accreditation. Simply describe the activity on the required Activity Completion Form (ACF) and attach appropriate supporting documentation. The activity must fall within one of the four categories and will either be awarded an appropriate number of CEUs or denied credit. Each activity submitted for credit, whether a listed activity or a similar topic, must be accompanied by an ACF along with appropriate supporting documentation.
The Evaluation Process
Each portfolio is first checked for completeness and to assure that the candidate meets all eligibility requirements. Then a detailed evaluation of each submitted activity is undertaken with particular attention directed to the activity’s documentation as well as inclusive dates and time spent completing the activity. Typical turnaround time for complete and properly documented portfolios is two to three weeks.
The two problems most frequently encountered are: A) missing or incomplete Activity Completion Forms and B) missing or inadequate activity documentation. If the applicant initially does not fulfill all designation requirements or if activity documentation is not adequate, s/he is contacted and afforded an opportunity, not to exceed thirty (30) days, to either provide additional information or withdraw the application from consideration. These contacts are accomplished by telephone and e-mail. If the applicant still does not meet all requirements, the application is denied. Applicants wishing to appeal a denial must do so in writing to NAFI’s Executive Director within thirty (30) days.
Checking an applicant’s professional references is the final step in the review process. Routinely, local FAA representatives, aviation related employers or supervisors, and/or Master Instructors in the same geographic area are contacted.
The FAA has approved the Master Instructor designation as an alternate means to renew flight instructor certificates under FAR 61.197 (a) (2) (iii). Therefore, applicants are cautioned to use the 9-item checklist on the “Application Page” in order to submit complete and substantiated Master Instructor portfolios. These portfolios, as well as all paperwork generated by NAFI and IAC during the review and approval process are retained by NAFI and must be able to withstand a thorough audit – a “ramp check” – by FAA and industry representatives. Applicants wishing to renew flight instructor certificates using the designation should submit complete and properly documented portfolios at least 45 days in advance of their CFI expiration date. Please call the Master Instructor Board of Review at 303-485-8136 with any questions and please ship completed portfolios to:
US Postal Service:
NAFI
EAA Aviation Center
PO Box 3086
Oshkosh WI, 54903-3086
FedEx or UPS
NAFI
3000 Poberezny Rd
Oshkosh, WI 54902-8939
QUESTIONS? Contact the Board of Review at 303-485-8136
(Rev: Oct06)
