Seminar aims to raise level of aviation education

Aviation educators are the primary influencers in the aviation industry, “and increasing their professionalism improves the safety of every pilot,” said SAFE Executive Director David St. George.

The two days of classes, seminars, and networking on the schedule will feature presentations by veteran instructors and designated pilot examiners who will share what their experience shows them can be done better by aviation educators.

SAFE “has a proven 10-year record of raising CFI professionalism; we need better CFIs to make better pilots. Improving the ‘influencers’ in aviation improves all pilots by extension. We will also focus on ‘student-centered instruction’ or why 4 out of 5 students quit training,” notes an online summary of the event.

For a $375 fee, the SAFE CFI-PRO proficiency workshop will give aviation educators including those working on their flight instructor certificates the opportunity to share experiences and learn from master instructors (and National CFIs of the Year) Rich Stowell, Doug Stewart, and Hobie Tomlinson.

Presenters will include Mike McCurdy of IFR6 Flight Training; Ken Wittekiend of ProMark Aviation; Billy Winburn of Community Aviation; and St. George, SAFE’s director and a master flight instructor and DPE.

The workshop—at which attendance counts toward Master Wings credit—will also include a catalog of "Extended Envelope Maneuvers" designed to rebuild pilots’ basic skills and move them out of their narrow and possibly unsafe comfort zone.

“You will be able to tour AOPA and network with the staff at the event,” said St. George. “We encourage committed educators to join us (even if you are still working on that CFI).”

For more information and to register visit the SAFE CFI-PRO website.