Meet Our NAFI Master Instructors

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 Most recent MCFI's featured here, for comprehensive list, see alphabetical links below sorted by Last Name:

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To View Previous NAFI Master Instructor Profiles and Press Releases, Click Here!

Dubena NAFI MCFIRafael Dubena, MCFI 2/2024-2/2026:

Dubena’s aviation journey started when he was four years old, flying in an Embraer Bandeirante to his family’s farm in the Amazon rainforest. Dubena grew up looking forward to each of those airplane rides and and came to Daytona Beach, Florida to start flight training after finishing high school in Brazil.

Dubena graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) with a double major in air traffic control management and aeronautics, receiving the Student of the Year Chairman’s Award. Dubena worked for two years at LATAM Airlines in Brazil as an Airbus A320 first officer and returned to Embry-Riddle to flight instruct after the COVID-19 pandemic. Dubena is currently a flight standards check airman at ERAU.

In his free time Dubena enjoys travelling with his girlfriend, spending time with friends, keeping in touch with family back in Brazil, and going out to eat.

Click to Download Rafael's Press Release!

Sam Sumner NAFI MCFISamuel Sumner, A-MCFI 2/2024-2/2026:

Sumner got his start in aviation when he was selected to attend USAF Undergraduate Pilot training in Texas in 2014. Upon graduation after flying the T-6 and T-1, he moved to Georgia to fly the E-8C JSTARS. It was there he first became an instructor and discovered a love of giving back knowledge to the aviation community. After spending five years flying the 707-based platform, and a few international deployments, he volunteered to go back to pilot training to instruct.

Over the last three years, Sumner has helped hundreds of students get their wings throughout instruction in basic flying maneuvers, navigation, instruments, and formation training. While flying the T-6A primary trainer, he has served as Chief of Training, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, and currently serves as the squadron chief pilot, mentoring more than 70 other instructors and validating course graduation standards. He recently acquired his civilian CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings and looks to continue growing his aviation skills.

Click to Download Samuel's Press Release!