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.”

Fltops.com to hold pilot career fair

Fltops.com is hosting a career fair in Atlanta, and hiring airlines are expected to attend. Also featured will be a “focus on the future” session catering to pilots thinking about starting a career, or looking for information on various flight school and academies.

According to fltops.com, at least 14 companies are expected to attend, many of them ready to hire pilots on the spot. Many will be regional airlines, some of which are hiring as many as 20 pilots a month, a clear indication that the airline hiring freeze is thawing.

The career fair’s “focus on the future” session begins in the afternoon, and includes seminars, exhibits from flight schools and academies, and the option to meet one on one with pilot recruitment experts.

The career fair will take place August 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway. The admission fee is $139 for nonmembers and $119 for members, including lunch. For those wishing to attend only the “focus on the future” session, it begins at 12:30 p.m. and is free.

Mesa program shut down at San Juan College

Mesa Pilot Development, which operated an ab initio pilot training program in partnership with San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico, since 1989, ended its support of the college’s Mesa Pilot Development Program effective May 4, 2010. No new classes were scheduled in the spring semester as the school made transition plans for current students to complete their training, said Dr. Carol Spencer, the college’s president.

The company cited poor economic conditions in its letter announcing the program’s termination, a move made “with deep regret,” said Mickey Moman, general manager of Mesa Pilot Development, Inc. “Unfortunately, given the current operating environment and the challenges facing the company, it can no longer sustain its training program at San Juan College.”

The original Mesa Airlines was started in Farmington, and the company launched the program to provide a pool of trained, qualified pilots. However, Mesa Air Group on January 5 announced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, and in June was reported to have 400 pilots on furlough.

Mesa Pilot Development is continuing its airline bridge training program with Arizona State University, using facilities at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.