Listed in Alphabetical order:

mcfi mark adamsMark R. Adams

1)  Specifically, why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
To serve one’s peers is both an honor and a privilege.  I am also committed to finishing, over the next three years, the work that has been started in order to provide the foundation upon which we can build a world class organization.

2)  What pertinent experience, special talents, and/or leadership skills would you bring to the Board?
As the current Vice Chairman of the Board as well as the Chairman of the Governance Committee, I believe that I have both the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to continue to build relationships with the industry in support of SAFE’s mission.  As a former business owner, I also understand the need to make sure the organization is governed effectively from both an operational and a financial standpoint.

3)  What do you see as the most pressing issues for SAFE as a fairly new organization to address in the next three years?
The challenge of growing SAFE into a world class aviation educator’s organization will require the continued growth of our membership base to include educator’s from all disciplines of the aviation industry, both domestically as well as internationally.

We must also continue to enhance our newly formed mentoring and resource programs to provide all of us with the tools that we have asked for to make each one of us better at what we do:  educate our customers and the public about aviation.

To ensure the continued success and viability of our industry, we must also reach out to help the next generation of aviation educators and participants by supporting existing programs and helping to establish new aviation science programs in our public school systems where none currently exist.

I am once again asking for your vote so that I may continue to serve the membership of SAFE.

PDF of Mark Adams Q&A

Larry BotheLarry Bothe

1)  Specifically why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
Because I’m not done yet. As your Treasurer I have provided guidance on financial issues and worked with the rest of the Board members on many, many issues. While we have made great progress in our first year of operation, there is a lot more work to be done.

2)  What pertinent experience, special talents, and/or leadership skills would you bring to the Board?

  • Degree in Business Administration, Lehigh University, 1964
  • Retired from the plastics industry, purchasing management
  • Managed an FBO in Seymour, IN, 1999-2004
  • Treasurer, Freeman Field Flying Association for the past 10 years
  • President, Freeman Army Air Field Museum, past 3 years
  • Member AOPA, 37 years
  • Member NAFI, 20+ years
  • Founding member of SAFE
  • Published author; AOPA Flight Training, NAFI Mentor, etc.
  • 6600-hour pilot rated in airplanes, helicopters, gliders and seaplanes
  • FAA DPE
  • Vietnam veteran
  • I have the time available to work for SAFE

3)  What do you see as the most pressing issues for SAFE as a fairly new organization to address in the next three years?
There are 3 major challenges:

  1. Getting everything done in a (nearly) all volunteer environment. We have recruit additional volunteers, and hire outside help, especially in technical areas, as necessary.
  2. We need to grow the membership to the point where we can have full-time paid stall. To do that we have to add programs that aviation educators will see as having real value.
  3. Keeping our cash flow up so we can participate in major trade shows to maintain high visibility.

Please reelect me to the SAFE Board. Thank you.

PDF of Larry Bothe Q&A

Cliff ChetwinCliff Chetwin

1)  Specifically, why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
Most professions have a representative organization emphasizing high standards for the profession and its practitioners and I believe SAFE can be the professional society that we have previously lacked in aviation education. I view board membership as a commitment towards making this a reality.

2)  What pertinent experience, special talents, and/or leadership skills would you bring to the Board?
An active pilot for 30+ years, gold seal and Master CFI, published aviation author, FAAST Lead Representative, and a career as a National Park Service pilot, aviation program manager, and accident investigator, I bring to the board an extensive background in developing aviation programs and standards on a national basis, working with a broad range of government and private sector entities to resolve aviation issues.  I have a strong desire to see modern aviation education programs for both pilots and non-aviators that stress safety, efficiently meet both industry and client needs, and that retain the joy of flying rather than merely teaching to the PTS.

3)  What do you see as the most pressing issues for SAFE as a fairly new organization to address in the next three years?
SAFE’s success requires the board focus in two broad areas.  Internally we must expand the services and benefits of membership, coupled with aggressive marketing in order to retain current members and attract additional membership, both being critical to financial viability.  Externally SAFE needs to establish its credibility as the “go to” voice of professional aviation education by establishing first name basis relationships with government, industry, and academic leaders and proactively engaging in current issues such as reducing training costs, role of LSA training, glass cockpit training standards, modernizing the PTS, reasonable medical standards, greater use of simulators, and CFI recurrency standards.

PDF of Cliff Chetwin Q&A

PadussisGary T. Padussis

1)  Specifically, why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
The future of general aviation will depend on organizations as SAFE.  I am committed to future generations of pilots, whether it be for professional or recreational flying, be taught in a manner such that the system itself, advances the knowledge and talent required to hold a pilot’s license. The final product will be safer pilots, and a system that also encourages future methods of safe flying.

I understand that a board member represents the members of the organization and is to be adhering to the policies and bylaws as established by the members.  A board member although granted the opportunity to bring personal skills, new ideas and projects, to the organization, must never be self serving.  A board member must be able to tolerate ambiguity, make the proper decisions for the advancement of the institution, and be held accountable to its members.

2)  What pertinent experience, special talents, and/or leadership skills would you bring to the Board?
Having served on previous boards, I have learned to properly communicate with other members, and accept their particular view of a situation.  In this manner, together we have defined the problem, resolved the conflict, and implemented an agreed-upon action.  I would bring this same thought process to SAFE.

3)  What do you see as the most pressing issues for SAFE as a fairly new organization to address in the next three years?
The future of SAFE is to provide value to its members, sponsors, and affiliates.  As a new entity, the raising of funds is crucial the next three years.  There must be fiscal responsibility and accountability from the staff members of SAFE and its board or directors, now and in the future to attract new revenue sources.  The by-product will be a value added organization that its members, sponsors, and affiliates will continue to support.

PDF of Gary Padussis