Master Instructors is honored to announce that Kenneth Solosky of Mineola, New York, has received his Second Accreditation as a Master Ground Instructor. Ken began learning to fly in 1988 and earned his private, instrument, commercial airplane, and ATP ratings at Farmingdale’s Republic-Airport. He is retired from the NYPD Aviation Unit as a Lieutenant & Chief Pilot. In that role he helped lead the Aviation Unit during the September 11 terrorist attacks. He is a ATP-Airplane/Helicopter, Certified Flight Instructor-Helicopter, Advanced Ground Instructor, Instrument Ground Instructor and sUAS Part 107 (drone) Pilot, and volunteers as a FAAST Team Representative for the Farmingdale FSDO.
Ken teaches at the Airborne Public Safety Association’s Annual Conference and has taught domestically and internationally and is a regular contributor to the Airborne Public Safety Association Association’s magazine “Airbeat.” Ken is the lead ground instructor for Nassau Flyers for their private and instrument ground schools. He is also Associate Professor of Aviation at the State University of New York (SUNY) Farmingdale and teaches undergraduate aviation courses. He is currently employed by Northwell Health and among varied duties he is the Chief Pilot for their sUAS program and is a line pilot flying a Bell 407. He also flies a corporate Agusta A109. Ken holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from St. John’s University in Public Administration and a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in Criminal Justice from the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He lives in Mineola with his wife, Susan, and their two sons, Kenneth, and Patrick.
Master Instructors is honored to announce that David McVinnie of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has received the title of Master Instructor for the Fifteenth time. Dave is the first Master Instructor to achieve this milestone, which recognizes his more than thirty years as a professional Aviation Educator with this prestigious designation.
Dave has instructed for over 40 years, with 31 of those years based in New Mexico. He is a past CFI of the Year in the Southwest Region and a recently retired Designated Pilot Examiner for the Albuquerque FSDO. He stepped down as a DPE to return to his primary calling as a Flight Instructor and continues to provide insurance-accepted instruction in the PA-46 community. He also provides primary and advanced instruction for aircraft owners.