2008 National CFI of the Year

I was flattered recently to receive a shirt in the mail, which is pictured here. You'll notice that it says 2008 National CFI of the Year. Oddly, it also has my name on it. Wow. There's not much I can say, which most people know is unusual for me. Except perhaps thank you. For more of the details on this amazing honor, here's the press release.

Anyone who knows me knows I've been passionate about aviation my whole life. Passion is wonderful to experience. There's nothing better than throwing yourself wholehearted into something--anything--that you really enjoy. The time flies by quickly and pleasantly. I'm very lucky that my work--both as an author, publisher and flight instructor--keeps me thoroughly immersed in aviation and in contact with...

some of the nicest people I know.  I hope you feel the same way about aviation or whatever you're passionate about.

Candidly, I feel that hundreds if not thousands of the 91,000 CFIs in the U.S. are equally qualified to win this award, and I'm proud to represent them for a year. Flight Instructors represent the front line in keeping pilots safe. Most CFIs care deeply about helping pilots achieve their immediate aviation goals while simultaneously inculcating them with the decision making tools they'll need for an accident free lifetime of flying. Hardly anyone has achieved an aviation goal without the help of a dedicated CFI.

The same is true for me, as many CFIs have contributed to my success. The one that made the greatest impression was my first instructor, Dick Johnston. Having now taught 15 year olds to fly, I have even more understanding of the supportive patience he surely had to use with me. He's a former Pennsylvania CFI of the Year, and I'm happy to say that I learned from one of the best.

Just as I've learned from my many flight instructors, I have also learned volumes from my clients. Working and interacting with you is a joy on a daily basis. As much as you may be learning about flying from me, I've learned many of life's lessons from you. Thank you too for your amazing generosity. It's run the gamut from buying me lunch to subsidizing some or all of my glass cockpit factory training as we've picked up your new planes. I'm particularly grateful for your coaching and suggestions on my various projects. Thank you all for being supportive in so many ways.

Perhaps the greatest mensch in my CFI career has been Jack Hocker of the FAA. One definition I found for "mensch" is "A person having admirable characteristics, such as fortitude and firmness of purpose." An even better one is "someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character." Another is that a mensch has "nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, and a sense of what is right." No one I know fights harder than Jack to do what is right to try to keep airman safe. If we could clone Jack and have him work in every FAA office in the country, we'd have an even safer air transportation system. It's a privilege to know and work with Jack and my many other friends at the FAA.

Special thanks to my many colleagues who I've met through the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). Their Master CFI program has helped me identify and meet some of the top flight instructors in the country. I've met many of you at the NAFI Tent at AirVenture, which always feels like my home away from home when I'm at Oshkosh. My strongest recommendations for any CFI are: 1) Join NAFI, 2) Consider becoming a Master CFI, 3) Teach FAA Safety seminars.

Finally, I extend my thanks to the many people at AOPA. For the many years when I flew only a few dozen hours a year before buying an airplane and becoming a CFI, AOPA Pilot magazine and Air Safety Foundation seminars kept me fully engaged so that I was at least "thinking" about being a safe pilot even when I was not flying a lot. Aviation has no greater friend than AOPA, and I hope every pilot who reads this is a member or becomes one. We need the strength of this strong lobby organization to help preserve general aviation so that it's available for future generations.

Rumor has it that the 2008 National CFI of the Year award will be presented this summer at AirVenture 2008 at Oshkosh. I hope to see you all there!

Comments

[Mike Camelin]

In an age when it seems that quality flight training has all but gone completely away for the sake of expediency and the bottom line, it's great to see quality minded flight instructors getting the recognition they deserve.

Congratulations Max!

[Ron]

Max, just a quick note to say congratulations on being named CFI of the Year! I echo Mike's comment, it's great to see the focus on quality instruction!

[Todd]

Congrats on becoming the National CFI of the year! What a great accomplishment. Just stumbled upon your blog after seeing it mentioned on JetWhine. Nice site!