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News Release

MAY 2015

Master Instructors LLC and its Board of Review take pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of these very special aviation educators.  Recently, they were all accredited as Masters by Master Instructors LLC, the international Master Instructor accrediting authority (US Copyright Office registration number TX0006987479).

To help put these achievements in their proper perspective, there are approximately 98,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 800 of them have earned Master accreditation thus far.  As a measure of the significance and prestige associated with this title, the last 20 National Flight Instructors of the Year or National FAASTeam Representatives of the Year were Master CFIs (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.

Professional aviation educators who earned the “Master” title during May 2015 are:

Craig Michael BLUMER, Master Ground Instructor
Craig Michael BLUMER, Master Ground Instructor

Craig Michael BLUMER, Master Ground Instructor
Ankeny  IA
E-mail:   CraigBlumer@yahoo.com

Craig Blumer, a 1st-time Master and SAFE member, recently earned his Master Ground Instructor (MGI) accreditation.

In addition to instructing in single engine and multiengine aircraft as well as classrooms and gliders, Craig is an instructor and pilot for “Snoopy One,” the MetLife Blimp.

He is also an online aviation instructor for Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.

(Photo: MGI Craig Blumer of Ankeny, IA)


Paul GRETSCHEL, Master Instructor Emeritus
Paul GRETSCHEL, Master Instructor Emeritus

Paul GRETSCHEL, Master Instructor Emeritus
Coram  NY
E-mail:   Paul@PackAviation.com
,

Paul Gretschel, a 6-time Master and SAFE member, was recently granted Master Instructor Emeritus (MIE) status in recognition of his many years of commitment to excellence, professional growth, service to the aviation community, and quality aviation education.

Paul is a long time instructor with the Bonanza Pilot Proficiency Program as well as the owner of PACK Aviation.

He also serves as an aviation safety inspector (ASI) and a FAASTeam manager in the FAA’s Farmingdale FSDO area.

(Photo:  MIE Paul Gretschel of Coram, NY) 


James Matthew "Matt" JOHNSON, Master CFI-Helicopter
James Matthew “Matt” JOHNSON, Master CFI-Helicopter

James Matthew “Matt” JOHNSON, Master CFI-Helicopter
Hamilton  OH
E-mail:   Matt@MattJohnsonHeliCFI.com 

Matthew Johnson, a 3-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI-Helicopter accreditation.

Matt operates MattJohnsonHeliCFI where he provides emergency procedures and instrument training in several makes and models of helicopters primarily at Cincinnati’s Lunken Field.

Additionally, he also serves as a designated pilot examiner (DPE) and FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s Cincinnati (CVG) FSDO area.

(Photo:  MCFI -H Matt Johnson of Walton, KY)


Kyle Emerson MARTIN, Master CFI
Kyle Emerson MARTIN, Master CFI

Kyle Emerson MARTIN, Master CFI
Yorktown  VA
E-mail:   Kyle@TheMartinFamily.biz

US Air Force Captain (Capt) Kyle Martin, a 1st-time Master and SAFE member, recently earned his Master CFI accreditation.

A graduate of the US Air Force Academy,  the holder of numerous civilian FAA airman certifications, and a decorated combat pilot, Kyle is a T-38 instructor pilot as well as a pilot evaluator.

In addition, he serves as executive officer (XO) to the director of Air and Space Operations at Langley’s Air Combat Command.

(Photo:  MCFI Kyle Martin of Yorktown, VA) 


Brandon Joel RAY, Master CFI
Brandon Joel RAY, Master CFI

Brandon Joel RAY, Master CFI
Conroe  TX
E-mail:  Brandon@FlyHPA.com

Brandon J Ray, a 4-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.

Brandon is the lead flight instructor and owner of High Performance Aviation where he specializes in high performance aircraft and avionics transition training at Lone Star Executive (CXO) and Sugar Land Regional (SGR) airports.

A first officer with Spirit Airlines and the holder of an A&P certificate, he also serves as a a FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s Houston FSDO area.

(Photo:  MCFI Brandon Ray of Richmond, TX)


Orlando Raimundo VILLAVERDE, Master CFI
Orlando Raimundo VILLAVERDE, Master CFI

Orlando Raimundo VILLAVERDE, Master CFI
Miami  FL
E-mail:   SkyKingVillage@aol.com

Orlando R Villaverde, a 6-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.

Orlando is a professor of aviation at the Miami Dade College School of Aviation.

He is also an airplane and helicopter flight instructor at Kendall-Tamiami Airport (TMB) as well  as serving as an FAASTeam representative in the Miami FSDO area.

(Photo:  MCFI Orlando Villaverde of Miami, FL) 



The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA and revered by industry.  It 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, Masters have earned their “black belts” in aviation education. They truly represent the crème de la crème of the aviation industry!  High and low resolution photos are available upon request.

Questions regarding the Master Instructor Programä may be directed to 303-485-8136 or MasterInstrs@aol.com   For more information about the Master Instructor Programä and to locate other Masters, please visit the “Find a Master Instructor” section of www.MasterInstructors.org  To learn more about the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), visit http://SafePilots.org/  The International Aerobatic Club (IAC) can be reached through their website at http://IAC.org/