National Association of Flight Instructors

P O Box 3086 (3000 Poberezny Road), Oshkosh WI 54903-3086

920-426-6801, Fax 920-426-6865, www.NAFInet.org

ACCREDITATION FOUNDATION: In 1997, the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) introduced the Master Instructor designation, a national professional accreditation that may be earned by aviation educators. The accreditation requires a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and is based on a system of advanced professional standards and peer review. Like a flight instructor certificate, it must be renewed biennially.

The designation acknowledges an aviation educator’s continuing professional growth and involvement in a broad spectrum of aviation endeavors while also identifying and publicly recognizing those “Teachers of Flight” who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community.  In the words of former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer." See http://www.NAFIMasters.org/

EMERITUS RATIONALE: Since the program’s inception more than a decade ago, scores of professional aviation educators have earned initial Master Instructor accreditation followed by biennial renewals. Now, due to external factors including advancing age, declining health, and a desire to simply slow down, many of those veteran Masters are cutting back or retiring altogether from active aviation education. Hence, their activity level would be insufficient to permit renewal of their Master Instructor accreditation.

These longtime Masters have spent years supporting NAFI, the Master Instructor program, and aviation education on many levels. Without them, the accreditation could not have grown from its very humble beginnings to the nationally recognized and highly coveted credential it has become. The Association feels it would be unconscionable simply to put these veteran Masters out to pasture and risk loosing the valuable resource they have become to aviation education and NAFI. Thus, Emeritus / Emerita designations may now be granted to veteran Masters who meet specific criteria outlined below.

EMERITUS DEFINITION: Emeritus status is an honorary title that may be conferred upon an individual aviation educator in recognition of her/his years of dedication and commitment to excellence, professional growth, service to the aviation community, and quality aviation education. Master Instructor Emeritus accreditation must be requested upon retirement and is a one-time award without expiration as long as NAFI membership is maintained.

(Apr08)

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

A candidate for accreditation as a Master Instructor Emeritus / Emerita must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements. The candidate must:

Q have held Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI), Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI–A) and/or Master Ground Instructor (MGI) accreditation for a minimum of ten (10) years and at least five (5) cycles from initial accreditation date;

Q be at least fifty-five (55) years of age;

Q retire from aviation education or scale back such that her/his level of activity would be insufficient to permit renewal of Master Instructor accreditation;

Q apply for Emeritus status upon retirement;

Q have demonstrated involvement and leadership in the local / regional aviation community;

Q have Internet and e-mail access;

Q be a NAFI member in good standing;

Q be of good moral character [i.e., FAR 61.153(c)];

Q subscribe to and abide by NAFI’s Code of Ethics;

Q maintain NAFI membership during the term of Emeritus accreditation.

(The Board of Review may make rulings outside these guidelines and requirements for good cause.)

The Evaluation Process

Each Emeritus application is first checked for completeness and to assure that the candidate meets all eligibility requirements. Then a detailed review and evaluation of the Master’s history in NAFI and the Master Instructor program is undertaken. Typical turnaround time for a complete Emeritus application package is less than 30 days.

If the candidate initially has not provided all required components listed in the application page’s 9-item checklist or does not meet all Emeritus designation requirements, 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 candidate still does not meet all requirements, the application is denied. Applicants wishing to appeal a denial of Emeritus status must do so in writing to NAFI’s Executive Director within thirty (30) days of the denial.

The final step in the review process is checking an applicant’s professional references. Candidates are required to provide complete contact information for at least two professional references as defined on the Emeritus application page. Routinely, local FAA representatives, aviation related employers or supervisors, local pilot examiners and/or Master Instructors in the same geographic area are contacted.

Please call the Master Instructor Board of Review at 303-485-8136 with any questions. Ship completed Master Instructor Emeritus applications to one of the addresses below:

QUESTIONS? Contact the Board of Review at 303-485-8136

(Apr08)

National Association of Flight Instructors P O Box 3086 (3000 Poberezny Road), Oshkosh WI 54903-3086

920-426-6801, Fax 920-426-6865, www.NAFInet.org

1. Full Name: Last First Middle NAFI#

2. Street address IAC#

3. City State Zip+4 -

4. Phones: Business ()- Home ()-

5. Cell: ()- E-mail(s):

(NOTE: E-mail / Internet access is essential for timely two-way Master Instructor communication and networking.)

6. Instructor ratings / designations:

☐ Airplane SEL / SES ☐ Rotorcraft helicopter ☐ FAA Safety Team Rep

☐ Airplane MEL / MES ☐ Rotorcraft gyroplane ☐ Basic ground instructor

☐ Powered-lift ☐ Glider ☐ Advanced ground instructor

☐ Instrument airplane ☐ Sport Pilot / LSA ☐ Instrument ground instructor

☐ Instrument helicopter ☐ Lighter-than-air ☐ Other:

☐ Instrument powered-lift ☐ FAA Gold seal ☐ Other:

7. Date of last Master Instructor accreditation: Month Year

8. Date of initial Master Instructor accreditation: Month Year

9. Date of initial flight / ground instructor certification: Month Year

10. Date of current flight instructor certificate expiration (if applicable): Month Year

11. Provide complete contact information for at least two individuals who can provide professional references in your behalf to the Board. Include at least an FAA/FSDO representative and/or a current Master Instructor in your area and/or a local designated pilot examiner and/or an aviation related employer/supervisor.

1^st reference:

2^nd reference:

12. During the preceding 5 years, have any of your FAA or industry issued airman certificates been suspended, revoked, or subject to any enforcement action, or have you been convicted of a civil or criminal offense?

Yes ☐ No ☐ If yes, please attach a detailed written explanation and documentation.

An emeritus candidate’s completed application must contain the following items:

☐ 1. A brief written affirmation stating the candidate’s intent to retire or scale back;

☐ 2. Completed Master Instructor Emeritus application page;

☐ 3. Complete contact information for at least two professional references as defined above;

☐ 4. Completed detailed Biographical Data page;

☐ 5. A current 2 or 3-page bulleted aviation résumé (not an autobiography) showing candidate’s aviation employment history, education, and other professional background information;

☐ 6. A current aviation oriented JPEG depicting candidate at work as a professional aviation educator;

☐ 7. Legible photocopies of both sides of all FAA-issued airman certificates;

☐ 8. Legible photocopy of a government issued photo identification (i.e., drivers license, passport, etc);

☐ 9. A check or money order, payable to NAFI (refer to rate chart on the following page).

QUESTIONS? Contact the Board at 303-485-8136

(Apr08)

National Association of Flight Instructors P O Box 3086 (3000 Poberezny Road), Oshkosh WI 54903-3086

920-426-6801, Fax 920-426-6865, www.NAFInet.org

Master Instructor emeritus applicants must be current NAFI members to apply for the designation. To join NAFI, call the EAA membership department at 800-843-3612.

MASTER INSTRUCTOR EMERITUS RATE CHART

Master Instructor Emeritus Fees
Master Instructor Emeritus / Emerita Designation	$159 - one time
NAFI membership	$39 - per year

A $70 administrative fee will be retained for denied / withdrawn Master Instructor Emeritus / Emerita applications.

Masters who are granted Emeritus status will no longer be eligible to use Master Instructor accreditation for CFI renewal, Part 141 renewal, Gold Seal, insurance and other industry discounts specific to Master Instructors.

Emeritus status is an earned rank and as such, entitles its holders to commensurate rights and privileges. Those rights and privileges include:

Q Recognition by their professional aviation education association that they have achieved a level of professionalism and excellence that exceeds government / industry minimums;

Q An 8” x 10” laser engraved Master Instructor Emeritus plaque;

Q Use of the Master Instructor Emeritus title;

Q Use of Master Instructor wings and logo on business cards, stationery, websites, etc;

Q Authorization to wear Master Instructor identity apparel (MasterWear);

Q Use of Master wings to create special Master Instructor identity items;

Q Ability to use the Emeritus accreditation as a reference source;

Q An ID card identifying the holder as a Master Instructor Emeritus;

Q Participation in Master work groups, committees, projects;

Q Serving as mentors to other flight instructors;

Q Special listings on NAFI’s website under “Find a Master Instructor” & “Ask the Masters”;

Q Invitations to AirVenture and Sun ‘n Fun “Meet the Masters” breakfasts.

These privileges are for the personal use of individual Masters Emeritus and are not transferable or assignable.

QUESTIONS? Contact the Board at 303-485-8136

(Apr08)

Biographical Data

Please provide detailed biographical information below that will be used for news releases, Master Instructor Emeritus announcements, committee assignments, networking, and publicity.

Full Name Preferred Name:

How would you like your name to appear on your plaque?

When & where did you learn to fly?

When & where did you earn initial CFI & GI certification?

Other airman certificates / ratings:

Approximate flight hours: Approximate instructional hours given:

Local FSDO: Are you an FAA Safety Team Rep (ASC)? Yes☐ No☐

FAASTeam manager (SPM) name & e-mail:

Instructional areas in which you specialized (i.e., primary, instrument, glider, sims, ground school, etc):

Airport names & identifiers where you did most of your instruction?

Did you teach for an FBO, flight school, or as an independent?

Your most recent aviation position, title & duties:

Was your work as an aviation educator part-time or full-time?

What was your full-time occupation, place of employment and title?_

Your involvement and activities in other aviation organizations (i.e., AOPA ASN, CAP, EAA, UAA, etc):

Other awards or special recognition:

QUESTIONS? Contact the Board at 303-485-8136

(Apr08)

Example Master Instructor Emeritus plaque