I had a terrible time getting my private pilot’s rating. The local flight school I went to was typical of flight schools everywhere. The instructors were all young guys and gals looking to log time so they could move on to better paying flying jobs, and they were not particularly interested in being good flight instructors.   

 

Trying to fit that in while running a business was a logistical balancing act for me and virtually impossible to coordinate a workable schedule with the instructor and a rental airplane. I nearly walked away from aviation more than once. Fortunately, I was befriended by a business associate who had been a Naval Aviator and flew combat in Vietnam. He guided me through my flight training and encouraged me to buy my first airplane.       

 

I promised myself, as soon as I could afford to do it I would obtain an instructors rating and maybe I could save some other poor soul from having a similar experience to mine and walking away from aviation.

     

     To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 96,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 700 of them have earned Master accreditation thus far. As a measure of the prestige conferred by this title, the last 17 National Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs. For more information see: (http://www.GeneralAviationAwards.org). 

 

     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 and industry 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!

 

Since 1989 I have taught people to fly in all kinds of aircraft. I am qualified to teach instrument flying multiengine flying, commercial flying and aerobatics. I have given instruction in every type of aircraft from a Piper J-3 Cub to a Citation Jet.

 

     I own a beautiful Piper Seneca that I teach multi engine flying in, and I also own a tricked out Mooney M20J that I teach instrument and commercial ratings in and use it for commercial students to get their complex time. All my aircraft are well equipped and in perfect condition.

 

     The average private pilot student gets their license in approximately 60 flight hours. It may take you more time or less time depending on your availability to train and do ground school. Instrument ratings take approximately 40 hours. We fly in real weather, in complex airspace and explore every failure scenario that we can safely explore in flight.

 

     I will tell you up front that I am not the cheapest way to get a flight rating. There are plenty of low budget schools out there who charge less. But I can guarantee that when I sign you off to take your check ride, you are both a current and capable pilot who can handle a real emergency. After all, flying a light plane and experiencing an engine failure for real is no time to be thinking “Gee, I should have spent the money....” I know you are going to have your family and friends on board with you and I want you to know that you are prepared for anything.