Joseph R Brigham recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation.  With more than 40,000 flight hours logged, Joe is a helicopter instructor and designated pilot examiner in New England as well as the southeastern United States.  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's FSDOs in Orlando and Portland, Maine. 

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Joseph R Brigham, a resident of Venice, Florida and Bow, New Hampshire.  Recently, Joe's designation as a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) was renewed by NAFI, his professional aviation education association.  He has held this professional accreditation continuously since 2005. 

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 twelve national Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs while Joe is one of only 55 Florida aviation educators and one of only 5 New Hampshire aviation educators to earn this prestigious "Master" title.  In the words of FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The flight instructor is where the rubber meets the runway.  The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."    

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA that 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 Joe 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.

Please feel free to disseminate this information.  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