Master Instructors is honored to welcome the newest member of the Master Instructor Community. H. Michael Miley of Glen Ellyn, Illinois has received his First Accreditation as a Master Aviation Educator.
Mike is an aviation professional, educator, and leadership expert with over 30 years of experience in aviation, technology, and organizational development. As a commercial pilot and CFII, he combines technical expertise with a passion for mentorship, equipping flight instructors and aviation leaders with strategies to enhance training programs and organizations. An adjunct faculty member at the College of DuPage, Mike teaches aviation management, ground school, and sUAS courses, ensuring students receive industry-aligned instruction. As a board member of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, he advocates for advancing flight instruction standards through lifelong learning and professional development.
Beyond aviation, Mike has held leadership roles at Apple and Jamf, applying innovation and technology to education. His PhD dissertation in Business Strategy and Innovation from Capella University explored how organizational innovativeness influences airline pilots’ perception of employer attractiveness—insights valuable to flight schools and airlines refining recruitment strategies. Alongside his wife, Mike co-leads Miley Performance Group, specializing in strategic planning, leadership coaching, and fostering innovation. Through this work, he partners with organizations to develop forward-thinking leaders and drive sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving industry.
Master Instructors is pleased to announce that Elaine Kauh of Janesville, Wisconsin, has received her Eighth Designation as a Master Instructor. Elaine is a CFI-I and professional pilot specializing in Tailwheel and High-Performance aircraft training. Her focus is working with active IFR and VFR pilots to improve their knowledge, cockpit management and stick-and-rudder skills, helping them become safer and more confident aviators. She holds a number of roles as an Aviation Educator, including Adjunct Instructor at Fox Valley Technical College, helping students learn the art and science of flight instruction. She is also an Instructor for EAA’s Pilot Proficiency Center VFR and IFR Workshops, which offer classroom training and dual sessions in Redbird Advanced Aviation Training Devices. As a Lead Representative for the Wisconsin FAASTeam, she enjoys collaborating with other Educators to present safety seminars around the state. Elaine’s reach as a pilot and Educator goes well beyond Wisconsin. She is a Contributing Editor for IFR magazine, a contributing CFI-I for Pilot Workshops and is co-host of the new podcast Aviation Intrigue.
It is an extraordinary honor for Master Instructors to announce that Hobart “Hobie” Tomlinson has been recognized as a Master Instructor for the Twelfth time and Master Instructor Emeritus for the Second time. Hobie, based in Burlington, Vermont, became an Emeritus two years ago, then decided that he was not ready to stop sharing his genius with the aviation community. Hobie soloed in 1960, obtained his initial CFI in 1965, was a DPE from 1977 thru 2022, and has been a continually active CFI for 60 Years. He holds ASEL, ASES, AMEL, and AMES Class Ratings at the ATP Level, plus 9 Turbojet Type Ratings, in addition to Advanced & Instrument Ground Instructor ratings. He also holds Airframe & Powerplant, Flight Engineer and Aircraft Dispatcher Certificates. Hobie served as Director of Operations for a combination Part 141/135 Flight School & Charter Company from 1973 – 1988.
He joined TWA in 1967 and rose thru the ranks from Flight Engineer to B747 Fleet Mgr. / Director of Training Eastern Region, Retiring from American Airlines in 2004. Subsequently, he worked as Director of Safety/Check Airman for Heritage Aviation’s Charter Dept. from 2004 until 2012, then became an Independent CFI.
Hobie was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2010, the EAA “Spirit of Flight Award” from Society of Experimental Test Pilots in 2012 and was the FAA National Flight Instructor of the Year in 2012. He’s a graduate of SCSI SMS Training Course and CalSpan’s In-Flt LCI Upset Recovery Course for Transport Aircraft, using their Variable Stability Lear 24. He also served on the ATA Upset Recovery Committee and later led a team that developed TWA’s AQP Program. Hobie specializes in advanced training in Beechcraft & Cirrus aircraft, holding BRFI & CSIP qualifications. He has 42,150 hours, 17,023 Flight Instruction Hours, with 1028 North Atlantic Crossings. Currently 81 years old, his favorite airplanes were the Twin Beech 18 & B757.
Master Instructors is pleased to welcome Jason Archer of New Britain, Connecticut to the Community of Master Instructors for the first time. Jason is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of pedagogy working in flight schools, planetariums, science centers, universities and aviation museums. With more than 3500 hours of dual given in over 30 aircraft models, he is a Gold Seal Instructor, 2021 CFI of the Year for the BDL FSDO, a 2021 AOPA Distinguished Flight Instructor and the 2018 FAASTeam Rep of the Year for the BDL FSDO. As the Chief Flight Instructor for Berkshire Aviation at the Great Barrington Airport (KGBR) in Massachusetts. Jason specializes in stick and rudder, primary, tailwheel, and instrument training. He has over a decade of experience writing curriculum for and using flight simulation as a teaching tool. He regularly lectures for aviation groups around throughout the Northeast, is a member of the EAA Speaker’s Bureau, and contributes to various aviation groups including the FAA. With a degree in Astronomy, he is Director of the Glastonbury Planetarium where he lectures on astronomy and aerospace content. Jason works to create safe, skillful, and knowledgeable aviators for their entire career. Jason holds a CFI-I, CFI-G, MEI, AGI, IGI, SES certificates.