Master Instructors is pleased to announce the designation of Parvez Dara of Toms River, New Jersey a Master CFI for the Ninth time. Parvez, an ATP and a former AME, is currently President of the Mooney Aircraft and Pilot Association Safety Foundation. He is also an accredited BPPP Instructor for the American Bonanza Society and teaches with the motto “Aviation Safety is No Accident.” He has presented webinars and seminars for other various organizations including the FAASTeam, Mid-Atlantic Pilots Association and EAA at AirVenture. In addition, Parvez is a published author in print and online, currently for Air Facts Journal while creating aviation videos on YouTube. He is also serving his second term on the SAFE Board of Directors.
Master Instructors is pleased to announce the designation of Michael Elliott of Tarpon Springs, Florida a Master CFI for the Fifth time. Mike is one of the nation’s most sought-after flight instructors for Mooney transition training. He seeks to constantly better the breed of the Mooney pilot. As founder of the Mooney Summit, a charitable annual educational and safety conference, he interacts with pilots of all backgrounds from across the globe. The event is also a fundraiser for the Bill Gilliland Foundation to assist downed Mooney pilots’ immediate families at the time of their greatest need. Additionally, Mike is CEO of Mooney Pros, Inc. a Mooney-specific training company of Master CFIs.
Master Instructors is honored to announce that Lonnie Hilkemeier of Boulder, Colorado, has received the Master CFI Accreditation for the 13th time. This reflects more than twenty-six years of excellence as an Aviation Educator – an accomplishment that few have achieved. Lonnie’s career was sparked by a first-lesson experience. “My wife (then girlfriend) purchased my first introductory flight for me. That flight sparked an interest in aviation that led me to attend Colorado Northwestern Community College (1990 CNCC graduate) for an aviation degree,” he says. His experience there led him to “appreciate quality instruction” and has since always sought out mentors in aviation and education.
“When I learned of the Master Instructor accreditation program that was created by Sandy & JoAnn Hill, I was inspired to join this group of aviation educators that saw that quality was much more important than quantity – unfortunately not the ‘norm’ in aviation,” Lonnie says. “I was successful to become the first Master CFI in the State of Colorado in 1998. I am currently one of less than 5 in the world with a 13-time Master CFI.” He continues to learn from diverse clientele that has included “astronaut candidates, military leaders, air traffic controllers and professional aviators … Integrity, loyalty, hard work and ethics are common denominators of our clients!”
Master Instructors is pleased to announce the designation of Doug Stewart of South Egremont, Massachusetts, a Master Instructor for the 12th Time. Doug, the 2004 National Instructor of the Year, is a full time CFII and Designated Pilot Examiner who provides clients with real-world IFR training conducted on multi-day trips. To date he has provided more than 13000 hours of flight instruction. As the Executive Director Emeritus of SAFE, Doug currently serves on the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). He is also a subject matter expert for Pilot Workshops and Community Aviation. Doug has presented seminars to thousands of pilots from coast to coast and border to border, and authored the monthly Vintage Instructor column for EAA’s Vintage Airplane magazine for many years. When not flying he is often found riding his bicycle.
Master Instructors is pleased to announce that Michael Phillips of Ventura, California has been recognized as a Master Instructor for the Eighth time. In his application he states: “My passion for teaching and contributing to the growth of anyone that I am associated with is why I am a full time Aviation Educator. The majority of my career has been spent teaching others how to be successful and what it takes to achieve their personal and professional goals and dreams. As an Aviation Educator the Master Instructor Accreditation is a recognition of my commitment to excellence and professionalism. The MICEP Accreditation motivates me to learn and stretch my skills as both a teacher and a pilot. I am proud to be an Eight-time Master Instructor and honored to be a member of this inspiring Community of professionals. In 2022 Master Instructors celebrates 25 years of recognizing the best of the best and I strongly urge all Aviation Educators to consider the Master Instructor Continuing Education Program as an important part of their commitment to excellence.”