Professional aviation educators who earned or renewed their “Master” title during November 2019 are:
Mark John SZPAK, Master CFI (renewal 20Nov19)
Prescott Valley AZ
Mark’s e-mail address: MSMSzpak82@gmail.com
SAFE member Mark Szpak has recently earned his second Master CFI accreditation through the Master Instructors LLC MICEP program.
A graduate of ERAU-Prescott, Mark provides flight, ground, and simulator instruction with JetWright Aviation LLC at Prescott’s Earnest Love Field(PRC), Cottonwood Airport (P52) and Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (KDVT).
He specializes in flight instructor training and jet transition training.
(Photo: MCFI Mark Szpak of Prescott Valley, AZ)
David James “Dave” MC VINNIE, Master CFI (Renew: 15Nov19)
Albuquerque NM
Dave’s e-mail address:DJM@McVinnieAviation.com
David J McVinnie, a 12-time Master and charter SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation through the Master Instructors LLC MICEP program.
Dave is the president of McVinnie Aviation LLC where he specializes in technically advanced aircraft flight and ground training.
A retired US Air Force veteran, he also serves as a pilot examiner (DPE) and FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s Albuquerque FSDO area.
He was the seventh (7th) aviation educator to earn the Master designation when the accreditation program was introduced by then-FAA Administrator Barry Valentine during Oshkosh AirVenture 1997.
(Photo: MCFI Dave McVinnie of Albuquerque, NM)
Lara Zook GAERTE, Master CFI (Renew: 31Oct19)
Fort Wayne IN
Lara’s e-mail address:LaraGaerte@gmail.com
Lara Gaerte, a 7-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed her Master CFI accreditation through the Master Instructors LLC MICEP program.
Lara is the president of the Air Race Classic and serves as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s Grand Rapids FSDO area.
Additionally, she is the CEO, chief pilot and manager of Century Aviation, a full-service FBO at Indiana’s DeKalb County Airport (GWB).
(Photo: MCFI Lara Gaerte of Fort Wayne, IN)
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.
Please feel free to disseminate this information widely. Questions regarding the Master Instructor Continuing Education Programä may be directed to 303-485-8136 or MasterInstrs@aol.com For more information about the Master Instructor Continuing Education Programä ( https://MICEP.FluidReview.com/ ) and to locate other Masters, please visit www.MasterInstructors.org To learn more about the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), visit http://SafePilots.org/