In October, Master Instructors LLC designated its inaugural class of Ten-Time Masters. The historic achievement marks twenty years of participation in the Master Instructor Continuing Education Program (MICEP). Three instructors comprise the first group to reach the ten-time milestone: Pat Knight of Flower Mound, TX; Ed Fink of Fort Myers, FL; and Dave McVinnie of Albuquerque, NM.
Knight is currently an Aviation Safety Inspector with the FAA’s North Texas FSDO. A retired US Air Force officer, she specializes in human factors and accident prevention, as well as glider and multiengine training. Fink is a retired US Army officer and is an independent ground and flight instructor at Page Field Airport in Fort Myers, FL. McVinnie is a retired US Air Force veteran. He is a Designated Pilot Examiner and FAASTeam Rep in the FAA’s Albuquerque FSDO, and specializes in training in technically advanced aircraft. All three were in the original class of seven who earned Master accreditations when the program began: Knight is Master Instructor #002, Fink is #005, McVinnie is #007. All are members of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) as well.
According to MICEP co-creator JoAnn Hill, “We are honored that these individuals have continued with the program for so long, and are excited to share their amazing accomplishment.” Others will join the ranks of Ten-Time Masters over the upcoming months.
As a reward for long-term commitment to professional development as aviation educators, Ten-Time Masters receive embroidered MA-1 flight jackets sponsored by PilotMall.com of Lakeland, FL. Additionally, Master Instructors LLC commissioned special wings pins reserved exclusively for Ten-Time and Emeritus Masters, sponsored by Aviation Instruction of Camarillo, CA and Specialty Flight Training of Boulder, CO. The names of Ten-Time Masters are also listed on a dedicated page on the Master Instructors website under the new “With Distinction” menu tab.
Developed in 1995 by JoAnn and Sandy Hill of Longmont, Colorado, MICEP was launched in 1997 during AirVenture with the blessing of then-FAA Administrator Barry Valentine. The Hills, experienced educators with a passion for aviation, conceived of the program as a means to encourage and recognize higher levels of professionalism in aviation education.
The Hills initially administered the program through another organization; in 2009, however, they formed Master Instructors LLC. According to MICEP co-creator Sandy Hill, “We along with a majority of Master Instructors believed the program stood for something larger than any one organization.” He added, “moving the program’s management to an independent entity has provided greater autonomy and ensured impartiality in the designation process.”
The peer-reviewed designation process is rigorous. In addition to other requirements, applicants must document at least 500 hours in qualifying activities within the previous 24 calendar months. To foster well-rounded aviation educators, the hours must be distributed among five categories: Educator, Service to the Aviation Community, Creator of Media, Continuing Education, and Participant. MICEP offers a family of six designations to appeal to a wide range of educators: Master Aviation Educator (MAE), Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI), Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI-A), Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Helicopter (MCFI-H), Master Ground Instructor (MGI), and Master Instructor Emeritus (MIE). With the exception of MIE, designation cycles are valid for two years; the MIE, in contrast, is a one-time honorary designation for long-term participation in the program.
The Hills are quick to point out that Master Instructors have “earned their black belts” in aviation education, thus setting them apart from instructors who merely use the job to further their air carrier careers. The evidence bears out the Hills’ assertion: since 1997, a combined 37 individuals have been honored in the National CFI and FAASTeam Rep of the Year categories, 27 of whom are Master Instructors. The marketplace has also responded to their commitment to the profession: a poll revealed that most Masters realize a 10 to 40 percent increase in income as a result of their participation in MICEP.
MICEP’s success has been the model for other aviation accreditation programs. The Soaring Society of America (SSA), for example, drew on the Hills work to develop its Master Instructor Cross-Country program. The derivative programs, however, require membership in the sponsoring organizations to participate. MICEP, on the other hand, is open to qualified aviation educators regardless of their other affiliations; membership in a particular organization is not a prerequisite. With more than 160 active Masters, MICEP remains the largest accreditation program of its type for aviation educators.
JoAnn Hill says the program will “continue to serve current Masters while improving outreach to other aviation educators.” Continuing to influence training standards and doctrine, promote industry programs such as General Aviation Awards, and form new partnerships with training providers are goals as well.