First Two MCFI-Hs Granted
Master Instructors LLC recently introduced itsĀ newĀ Master CFI-HelicopterĀ (MCFI-H) accreditation. DesignedĀ toĀ better serve the needs of the nation’s rotorcraftĀ instructors, the MCFI-H is the sixth in a line of Master accreditations offered by the Longmont, Colorado company.
Improved safetyĀ in rotary wing instruction and EMS operations has taken on a renewed emphasisĀ in recent years. Thus, withĀ input fromĀ the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the International Helicopter Safety Team, and the Helicopter Association International (HAI), Master Instructors LLCĀ tailored theĀ MCFI-H designation toĀ flight instructors who devoteĀ a majorityĀ of their instructional time to helicopters.
The MasterĀ HelicopterĀ designationĀ establishesĀ higher professional standardsĀ to whichĀ helicopter instructorsĀ can aspire, andĀ for whichĀ helicopter instructorsĀ who maintain those high standardsĀ can be recognized. To qualify,Ā aĀ minimum of 50% of theĀ activities submitted by applicants must beĀ helicopter related.
The firstĀ twoĀ MasterĀ CFI-Helicopter designations were recently granted as well:Ā Randal R. Rowles from Fort Worth, TX, earned the first MCFI-H designation, while Michael E. Cassady of Arlington, Texas, earned the second.
Rowles is the vice president of Night Flight Concepts. Cassady works as a helicopter flight and ground instructor with Bell Helicopter’s factory school. Both serve as FAASTeam representatives in the FAA’s Fort Worth FSDO area and are members of HAI. Prior to earning their MCFI-H designations,Ā both had also previously earned accreditations as Master CFIs.
Consistent with the original Master Instructor accreditations introduced in 1997, theĀ newĀ MCFI-H acknowledges an individual’s continuing professional growth and involvement in a broad spectrum of aviation endeavors while recognizing an ongoing commitment to excellence and service to the aviation community. TheĀ two-yearĀ MCFI-HĀ designation can be used for CFI certificate renewal as well, and is approved for FAA WINGS credit.
Program creators Sandy and JoAnn HillĀ have been serving the Master Instructor community since 1995. In 2009 theyĀ formed Master Instructors LLC to bring greater autonomy and impartiality toĀ theirĀ program, which is open to all qualified applicants regardless of their other aviation affiliations. Noted author, aviation educator, helicopter instructor and Master CFIĀ Michael Maya Charles has joined the Master Instructor Board of Review to evaluateĀ MCFI-H portfolios.
SeeĀ http://www.MasterInstructors.org/ for additional information and application forms.