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 19 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.
Aviation educators who earned the “Master” title during April 2014 are:
Melvin Gerald “Mel” BURKART, Master Instructor Emeritus
Saint Louis MO
E-mail: MBurkart@earthlink.net
Melvin G Burkart, a long time Master CFI 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.
Mel is a retired professor of aviation at Saint Louis University’s Parks College.
He also serves as a FAASTeam lead representative in the Saint Louis FSDO area. (Photo: MCFI-E Mel Burkart of Saint Louis, MO)
Michael Christopher “Mike” DEMULLING, Master CFI
New Richmond WI
E-mail: Mike@NRAirport.com
Michael C Demulling, a 7-time Master and a SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.
Mike is the chief pilot for White House Custom Colour as well as manager of New Richmond Regional Airport.
Additionally, he owns Mike Demulling Flight Training specializing in primary, instrument, and recurrent training. (Photo: MCFI Mike Demulling of New Richmond, WI)
Christopher John “Chris” HOPE, Master CFI
Kansas City MO
E-mail: TheHopesChris@gmail.com
Christopher J Hope, a 4-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.
A volunteer Angel Flight pilot, Chris is an independent flight instructor specializing in primary and instrument training at Lee’s Summit (LXT) and Johnson County Executive (OJC) airports.
He also serves as an IMC Club facilitator and a FAASTeam Representative in the FAA’s Kansas City FSDO area. (Photo: MCFI Chris Hope of Kansas City, MO)
Michael Carl “Mike” JESCH, Master CFI
Anaheim CA
E-mail: MCJesch@gmail.com
Michael C Jesch, a 1st-time Master and SAFE member, recently earned his Master CFI accreditation.
Mike is a volunteer Angel Flight West pilot as well as an independent Fullerton-area flight instructor and an American Airlines pilot.
Additionally, he serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s Long Beach FSDO area. (Photo: MCFI Mike Jesch of Anaheim, CA)
Daniel Max “Dan” KEEN, Master CFI
Lafayette IN
E-mail: DanielKeen@aol.com
Daniel M Keen, a 8-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.
Dan, a longtime volunteer and judge in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA), is an aviation safety inspector (ASI) and safety officer with the FAA’s Indianapolis FSDO.
He specializes in aviator practical tests and also assists with the FSDO’s FAASTeam activities. (Photo: MCFI Dan Keen of Lafayette, IN)
Kyle Vincent THOMAS, Master CFI
Durant OK
E-mail: KThomas@SE.edu
Kyle V Thomas, a 5-time Master and a SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.
Kyle is an aviation professor and chief flight instructor with Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s aviation institute at Eaker Field (DUA).
He is also an advisor to the local Women in Aviation chapter and a coach for the university’s NIFA flight team. In addition, he serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s Oklahoma City FSDO area. (Photo: MCFI Kyle Thomas of Durant, OK)
Ludwig Joseph “Lou” WIPOTNIK, Master CFI
Wheeling IL
E-mail: Jan.Lou@comcast.net
Lou Wipotnik, a 9-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.
Lou is an independent Chicago-area flight and ground instructor at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK).
The 1996 Nationl CFI of the Year and the holder of an FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot award, he is also a FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s DuPage FSDO area and serves in the Civil Air Patrol’s Illinois Wing. (Photo: MCFI Lou Wipotnik of Wheeling, IL)
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/