December 2006 Master Instructors 

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 accredited as Master Instructors by NAFI, their professional aviation education association.

To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 90,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 500 of them have earned Master accreditation thus far. As a measure of the prestige conferred by this title, the last eleven FAA National Flight Instructors 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 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. 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!  Additional information about the accreditation program is available at:   http://www.NAFIMasters.org/  

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

RENEWALS

Christopher Timothy "Chris" ANDERSON, Master CFI           (Renew:   26Dec06)  
Janesville WI
E-mail: AV8@ticon.net
Christopher Anderson recently earned his Master CFI accreditation for the 4th time.  Chris flies with Midwest Express and is the president of Progressive Air at Janesville's Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (JVL).  He also serves as a FAASTeam rep and pilot examiner for the FAA's Milwaukee FSDO.
   
Gary William KITELEY, Master CFI           (Renew:  26Dec06)
Auburn AL 
E-mail: KitelGW@bellsouth.net
Gary Kiteley recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Gary was the chief flight instructor with Auburn University at Auburn-Opelika Airport (AUO) and is executive director of the Council on Aviation Accreditation (CAA).  He is also a consultant with K & K Aviation and a pilot examiner for the FAA's Birmingham FSDO. 

Joel David WEANER, Master CFI        (Renew:  18Dec06)
Jacksonville FL 
E-mail: Joel@BeachBanners.com
Joel Weaner recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  Joel is an independent flight instructor and owner of Beach Banners (www.BeachBanners.com) at Craig Airport (CRG).  He also provides airborne traffic reports for local radio and TV stations and serves as a FAASTeam rep for the FAA's Orlando FSDO. 


INITIALS

Michael Joseph FLORIANI, Master CFI & Master GI             (Initial:  18Dec06)
Downingtown PA
E-mail: MFloriani@verizon.net 
Michael Floriani recently earned his Master CFI and Master Ground Instructor accreditations.  Michael is an instructor with Chester County Aviation (www.ChesterCountyAviation.com), a Cessna Pilot Center at Chester County Airport (04N).  He also works with AOPA's Airport Support Network and is a FAASTeam rep with the FAA's Philadelphia FSDO.

George Richard MUNSON, Master CFI          (Initial:  12Dec06)
Westhampton MA
E-mail: GMunson@FlyBAF.com
George Munson recently earned his Master CFI accreditation.  George is the chief pilot and owner of AD UP Aviation (www.FlyBAF.com), a flight school located at Westfield's Barnes Municipal Airport (BAF).  He specializes in flight training but also provides scenic air tours and aerial advertising services. 

Dwain Paul WATSON, Master CFI             (Initial:  18Dec06)
Grand Junction CO
E-mail: WatsonDP@starband.net
Dwain Watson recently earned his Master CFI accreditation.  Dwain is the chief flight instructor with Strand Flying School (www.StrandFlying.com) at Grand Junction's Walker Field (GJT).  He also serves with the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol as a check pilot and a check pilot examiner.