NAFI MASTER INSTRUCTOR DESIGNATION PROGRAM
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Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI), Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI -A), Master Ground Instructor (MGI), and Master Flight Instructor (MFI)
The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation that may be earned by aviation educators and is based on a system of advanced professional standards as well as peer review. The designation is granted by NAFI and serves a dual purpose. First, it identifies and publicly recognizes those "Teachers of Flight" who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community. Second, it sets professional standards to which all aviation educators can aspire.
The designation is earned by an applicant through a rigorous process of continuing education and, like a flight instructor certificate, must be renewed biennially. To promote continuous involvement in the aviation community, designees must remain active and renew their designations every 24 calendar months. Unlike one-time awards for past achievements (i.e., a "Gold Seal" flight instructor certificate or "Flight Instructor of the Year"), the Master Instructor designation acknowledges an individual's continuing professional growth and involvement in a broad spectrum of aviation endeavors.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Candidates for the Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI), Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic (MCFI-A), Master Ground Instructor (MGI), or Master Flight Instructor (MFI) designation must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements. A candidate must:
be a NAFI member in good standing;
maintain NAFI membership during the term of the designation;
subscribe to and abide by NAFI's Code of Ethics;
be of good moral character [i.e., FAR 61.153(c)];
have held, for a minimum of 24 calendar months, either a valid -
a. FAA/ICAO Flight Instructor Certificate, if applying for a MCFI / MCFI-A designation,
b. FAA/ICAO Ground Instructor Certificate, if applying for a MGI designation or,
c. Industry issued Flight Instructor Certificate, if applying for a MFI designation.
Activities, Documentation and CEUs
All Master Instructor portfolios are reviewed in their entirety by the NAFI Board of Review (BoR). In addition, all MCFI-A portfolios are reviewed by an International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Board of Review as well as NAFI's BoR. The IAC BoR will grant all aerobatic activity credit.
Each activity shown on the Master Instructor Activity pages is assigned an approximate number of continuing education units (CEUs). The number of CEUs awarded for a particular activity is generally a function of the time spent completing that activity. The activity's "quality" is also considered. Typically, colleges require approximately 15 hours of direct involvement for a single college credit. A similar time requirement is generally used to determine the number of CEUs granted for an activity. All student contact time (both flight & ground) applies and may be counted toward total activity time.
Activities, Documentation and CEUs (cont'd)
Master Instructor candidates must accumulate a minimum of 32 CEUs during the 24 calendar months prior to issuance of the Master Instructor designation. This 24 calendar month period may run concurrently with the instructor's regular recertification cycle, if applicable. The required minimum of 32 CEUs must meet the following criteria: A) at least sixteen CEUs must come from at least two different activities in the EDUCATOR category, B) at least two CEUs from at least two different activities must come from each of the SERVICE, MEDIA, and PARTICIPANT categories, and C) if applying for a MCFI-A designation, at least half of all CEUs must be aerobatic in nature. Candidates pursuing more than one designation are cautioned that each portfolio submitted must stand-alone with no duplication of activities.
Listed categories on the Master Instructor Activities pages show multiple examples of typical activities that could qualify for CEU credit and are not intended to be all-inclusive. If the applicant's activity does not identically match any of the activities listed, the Board can review it for accreditation. Simply describe the activity on the required Activity Completion Form (ACF) and attach appropriate supporting documentation. The activity must fall within one of the four categories and will either be awarded an appropriate number of CEUs (similar to the activity that most closely parallels the submission) or denied credit. Each activity that is submitted for credit, whether a listed activity or a similar topic, must be accompanied by an ACF along with appropriate supporting documentation.
The Evaluation Process
Each portfolio is first checked for completeness and to assure that the candidate meets all eligibility requirements. Then a detailed evaluation of each submitted activity is undertaken with particular attention directed to the activity's documentation as well as the time spent completing the activity. Typical turnaround time for complete and properly documented portfolios is three to four weeks.
The two problems most frequently encountered are: A) missing or incomplete Activity Completion Forms and B) missing or inadequate activity documentation. If the applicant initially does not fulfill all designation requirements or if activity documentation is not adequate, he/she is contacted and afforded an opportunity to provide additional information. These contacts are accomplished primarily by e-mail so candidates should have Internet access. Candidates should also be aware that Internet access is essential for timely Master Instructor two-way communication as well as networking. If the applicant still does not meet all requirements after being contacted, the application is denied and the applicant is provided with an explanation.
Checking an applicant's professional references is the final step in the review process. Routinely, local FAA representatives, aviation related employers or supervisors, and/or Master Instructors in the same geographic area are contacted.
The FAA has approved the Master Instructor designation as an alternate means to renew a flight instructor certificate under FAR 61.197 (a) (2) (iii). Therefore, applicants are cautioned to submit complete and substantiated Master Instructor portfolios. These portfolios, as well as all paperwork generated by NAFI and IAC during the review and approval process, must be able to withstand a thorough audit - a "ramp check" - by FAA and industry representatives. Applicants wishing to renew flight instructor certificates using the designation should submit portfolios at least 60 days in advance of their CFI expiration date. Please call the Master Instructor Board of Review (303-485-8136) with any questions and please ship completed and properly documented portfolios to:
National Association of Flight Instructors
Kermit Weeks Hangar
1145 W 20th Ave
Oshkosh WI, 54902
