FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
William Ralph "Bill" GROSS, Master CFI ( 4Sep03 )
Salina KS
E-mail: BGross@ksu.edu
William Gross recently earned his Master Instructor designation. Bill is
the chief flight instructor for Kansas State University's aviation program
at Salina Municipal Airport (SLN). He also serves as a pilot examiner and
safety counselor for the Wichita FSDO.
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The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing
a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of William R Gross, the
Kansas State University chief flight instructor and a resident of Salina,
KS. Recently, Bill was designated a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor)
by NAFI, his professional aviation education association.
To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately
81,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 400 of them have achieved that
distinction thus far. The last eight national Flight Instructors of the
Year were Master CFIs while Bill is one of only 10 Kansas aviation educators
who has earned this prestigious "Master" title.
The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized
by the FAA that is earned by candidates through a rigorous process of continuing
education 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 Bill will be invited, during EAA's
AirVenture in Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland.
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 May of 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
or
visit NAFI's website at
www.NAFInet.org
G Alexander "Sandy" Hill, MCFI
Phone: 303-485-8136 or 8708
Vice President, Dir of Education
Nat'l Association of Flight Instructors