Master Instructors LLC has announced a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Gordon A Ewald, a Roanoke area independent flight instructor and a resident of Hardy.
Recently, Gordon’s accreditations as a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) was renewed by the Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for the Master Instructor designation as well as the FAA-approved “Master Instructor Program.”
He first earned this national professional accreditation in 2003 and has held it continuously since then making him one of only 29 aviators worldwide to earn the credential five times.
Gordon is an independent flight and ground instructor at Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA) specializing in instrument instruction and recurrent training. He also serves as a volunteer mid-Atlantic Angel Flight pilot and is on the board of directors of the Roanoke IFR Club.
To help put these achievements in their proper perspective, there are approximately 93,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 700 of them have achieved the Master distinction thus far. The last 16 national Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs while Gordon is one of only 17 Virginia aviation educators who has 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 a national accreditation recognized by the FAA. Candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and must pass a rigorous evaluation by a peer Board of Review.
The process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Designees are recognized as outstanding aviation educators for not only their excellence in teaching, but for their engagement in the continuous process of learning — both their own, and their students.’
The designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses the FAA requirements for renewal of the candidate’s flight instructor certificate.
To learn more about the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), visit SafePilots.org/ For more information about the Master Instructor Program visit the “Find a Master Instructor” section of MasterInstructors.org
