Palwaukee Member Re-Earns Master CFI Accreditation

 

Lou Wipotnik recently earned his Master CFI accreditation for the 6th time.  Lou, the 1996 Nat'l CFI of the Year, teaches with Palwaukee Flyers at Palwaukee Airport (PWK).  A recipient of the FAA's Wright Brothers Master Pilot award, he also serves in the Civil Air Patrol with the Palwaukee Composite Squadron holding the grade of Lieutenant Colonel; he is also a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's DuPage FSDO

 (Photo:  MCFI Lou Wipotnik of Mount Prospect, IL)   

By: G. Alexander "Sandy" Hill
Vice President, Dir of Education
Nat'l Association of Flight Instructors

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Lou Wipotnik, the 1996 National CFI of the Year and a resident of Mount Prospect, Illinois.  Recently, Lou's accreditation as a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) was renewed by NAFI, his professional aviation education association.  He was one of the first aviation educators in the nation to earn this professional accreditation and has held it continuously since 1998. 

To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 91,000 CFIs in the United States.  Fewer than 600 of them have achieved that distinction thus far.  The last 13 national Flight Instructors of the Year -- including Lou -- were Master CFIs while Lou is one of only 14 Illinois aviation educators who have earned this prestigious "Master" title.  In the words of former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."

The Master Instructor designation is the only industry professional accreditation recognized by the FAA.  It is earned by candidates through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review. Much like a flight instructor's certificate, it must be renewed biennially.  This process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism.  Simply put, the Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators, those "Teachers of Flight," who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community.   

Earning this designation is tantamount to having the words summa cum laude emblazoned on an instructor's certificate. These Masters truly represent the crème de la crème of our industry!  To publicly recognize these individuals and their noteworthy accomplishments, NAFI will be hosting its "Meet the Masters" breakfasts, to which Lou will be invited, during EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland.  Any support that can be provided will be appreciated. 

NAFI is dedicated to providing support and recognition for America's aviation educators while helping them raise and maintain their level of professionalism.  It is also committed to providing a safe and effective learning environment for student pilots.  The Association was founded in 1967 and affiliated with EAA in 1995.

Questions regarding the Master Instructor program may be directed to 303-485-8136 or NAFIMasters@aol.com  Additional information is available at http://www.NAFIMasters.org/ and www.NAFInet.org   

Comments

[CAPWHIT]

We are starting a civil Air Patrol unit in Elkhart,IN. mmewhit@peoplepc.com if you would like to help