The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) have decided to end a 15-year relationship under which the two organizations shared office space and administrative functions.
After an extended period of discussions, EAA and the NAFI board of directors agreed that NAFI will become a fully independent organization no later than March 1, 2011. The transition begins immediately.
“We endorse NAFI’s decision to position itself as an independent professional association for the flight instructor community,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman and president. “Meanwhile, EAA will continue its focus on events and initiatives aimed at growing participation across the whole aviation community, such as the recent International Learn to Fly Day, expanded flight instruction opportunities for youth, and the Learn to Fly Discovery Center at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
“With a cleaner operating structure, and each organization focused on its core strength, EAA looks forward to working with NAFI on projects that benefit all of aviation.
“NAFI has become a much stronger organization over the past 15 years, which included doubling the number of members, creating an executive director position, establishing the Master Instructor Program, and many other achievements,” said Poberezny.
“We truly appreciate all that EAA has done for NAFI and pledge to work hard to work with EAA to serve our mutual interests, which are many,” said Ken Hoffman, NAFI board chairman. “The focus of NAFI will be to continue to work for the benefit of the professional flight instructor and other teachers of flight.”
