AOPA Flight Training Experience CFI of the Year: Mike Biewenga

Before that, Biewenga was an engineer and owned a software company. About four years ago he decided he liked the view from a cockpit better than the one from behind a desk, and now he teaches flying full time. He has developed a reputation within the aviation community for professionalism, patience, and consistency in his approach to flight students, and in 2018 he was named National Flight Instructor of the Year in the AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards.

Biewenga said he considers students people whom he genuinely cares about, rather than as a logbook entry or a paycheck. “My students end up becoming my friends because we all have a connection in one way or another.”

Biewenga’s clients describe him as “professional, knowledgeable, prepared, consistent,” with “uncompromising high standards.” He doesn’t have a specialty, but he particularly enjoys working with pilots who have had a challenging time learning to fly. “I turn them from unhappy to happy people,” he said. “I’ve gotten pretty good at that.”

One of the best ways to help students learn is by setting up scenarios that allow them to make decisions and see the results of their actions, Biewenga said. “It’s good to let them struggle with that process a bit as they work through it, but we don’t want to just leave them hanging,” he said. “Our job is to be an active guide in helping them to make those connections as efficiently as possible.”

The best part of flight instructing, Biewenga said, is being able to spend time with people who love aviation. “It’s a parade of interesting people who come through the door,” he said. “Anyone who wants to fly has a certain personality trait that’s a little hard to describe. They enjoy life.

“It’s neat to hang out with all kinds of people who have that kind of positive quality to them,” he said.