Master Instructors and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators is pleased to announce that James Alexander of Fort Defiance, Virginia, has received his Second accreditation as a Master Ground Instructor. Jim found his passion for aviation at a small local airshow at age 11 and has been a Private Pilot since his 17th birthday. He has a degree in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering, and his long aviation career includes being a retired US Air Force Instructor/Evaluator Navigator, a former NASA Flight Engineer, and Chief of Safety at the University of Maryland UAS Research & Operations Center.
In the past two years he’s instructed 12-week Private Pilot ground schools for minority youth aspiring to be pilots, taught a full semester aviation science course as adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, supported the Civil Air Patrol’s Robert Ayres National Flight Academy as a ground instructor, and completed his tenure as Chair of the Airport Advisory Board for St. Mary’s County Regional Airport (2W6). He currently serves as a Crew Resource Management instructor, and maintains the free website he created with references and resources for general aviation pilots (https://vfraviation.wordpress.com/). Jim has been a lifelong aviation enthusiast and enjoys being an instructor to help others on their aviation journeys. His current flying goals are to continue learning new things and have new challenges and experiences. He recently completed his gyroplane rating and is on a quest to fly as many different aircraft types as possible.
Master Instructors and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators is honored announce that Lara Zook Gaerte of Fort Wayne, Indiana has received her Tenth accreditation as a Master Flight Instructor. She joins Pat Knight, Master Instructor Emeritus, as the only women to achieve this extraordinary accomplishment of more than twenty years of recognition for excellence as professional Aviation Educators.
Lara is an active DPE with the Grand Rapids FSDO. As a corporate pilot, she flies a Cessna Citation Bravo. When not testing or flying corporate aircraft; she teaches as an independent CFI, primarily working with aircraft owners to customize the curriculum and training for their equipment and avionics, focusing on proficiency and airmanship.
Master Instructors and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators is pleased to announce that Robert Mitchell of Enterprise, Alabama has received his Second Accreditation as a Master Flight Instructor. Robert, owner of StrikeHawk Aviation flight school, has dedicated most of his adult life to military and civilian flight instruction. He has been an active CFI for 38 consecutive years and has logged more than 10,000 flight hours, including 500 combat flight hours. He currently works for CAE at the Dothan Training Center as an advanced international military instructor pilot, specializing in upset prevention and recovery training. He volunteers much of his time to organizations such as the EAA Young Eagles program and the Troy University Air Force ROTC You Can Fly Scholarship program.
Robert is a graduate of the University of Toledo, where he was a starting wide receiver for the Rocket football team. He holds master’s degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the U.S. Army War College. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D in Global Leadership at Troy University. Now retired after serving 30 years in the United States Army and a career as aeromedical evacuation officer, he has served in numerous command and staff positions, including two combat tours. In 2004-2005, he served as a Medevac battalion commander in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired in 2014 with the rank of colonel.
Master Instructors and the Society is pleased to announce that Kelly Manzini of Temecula, California has received her Fourth Accreditation as a Master Instructor. Kelly served for 19 years as a public-school educator, primarily in the Temecula Unified School District. She earned a BA in Liberal Studies, MA in Curriculum and Instruction, holds her California K-12 Multiple Subject, Professional Clear Teaching Credential, as well as a supplemental mathematics authorization.
Kelly’s aviation journey began in 2008 when her older son started flying at the age of 14. After he was hired as a commercial pilot, she and his younger brother earned their Private Pilot Certificates. While working full time as an educator, she earned her CFI/CFI-I in 2017 and began flight instructing part time, while also forming and leading an aviation youth program. By 2019, she achieved her Gold Seal and first accreditation of Master CFI.
Kelly’s aviation experience, skills and leadership are evident. After retiring from education in 2021, she served as a 141 Chief Instructor/Pilot and continued her service in the Aviation youth program, EAA’s Young Eagles, and Pilots n Paws. She now holds an ATP, is PIC typed in the CE525, is a Pilot/Safety Officer for a 135 Charter company and recently became a DPE with the Riverside FSDO. Kelly’s passion for aviation, the community, and the growth of safety-oriented pilots is paramount. When she is not flying, she enjoys relaxing with her husband of 36 years. Although not an aviator, he enjoys “talking shop” with their sons who are both settled in their aviation careers (Pilot/American Airlines and Controller/TRACON).
Master Instructors and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators is honored to welcome Scott Hutchinson of Missouri City, Texas into the Community of Master Aviation Educators with his First Accreditation as Master Flight Instructor.
Scott is a CFII specializing in advanced training for high-performance and complex aircraft, with deep expertise in the Cessna 210/T210/P210 series. He provides initial, transition, and recurrent instruction for private, instrument, commercial, and instructor candidates across the Houston area and nationwide, emphasizing systems knowledge, engine management, and modern avionics integration for real-world IFR. Scott authored a comprehensive Cessna P210/T210 transition and recurrent syllabus and regularly mentors CFIs while volunteering as a pilot with Angel Flight South Central. He is active in the aviation community through organized airshow education and ongoing safety engagement.
Master Instructors and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators is pleased to announce that Matthew Speare of Summerfield, North Carolina, has received his second accreditation as a Master Flight Instructor.
Matt serves as President of the Lancair Owners & Builders Organization (LOBO), where he leads national efforts to enhance safety, training, and community engagement among Lancair pilots and builders. A seasoned aviator and Certified Flight Instructor, Matt has developed comprehensive transition and recurrent training programs tailored to the unique performance and handling characteristics of Lancair aircraft. Under his direction, LOBO has strengthened partnerships with the FAA, EAA, and Type Club Coalition, expanded educational outreach, and achieved record attendance at national events such as the LOBO Forum at Oshkosh and the LOBO Landing in Murfreesboro.
A retired U.S. Army AH-64 Apache pilot, Matt brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to aviation safety and instruction. He is a dual Master Instructor through both the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), reflecting his ongoing commitment to professional excellence and continuing education. An active FAA FAASTeam Representative and volunteer pilot for Angel Flight Soars, Matt also contributes to humanitarian and community service missions. His dedication to mentorship, safety, and lifelong learning continues to elevate general aviation and inspire pilots across the experimental aircraft community.