MEL BURKART
MEL BURKART

SAFE Member #: 0294

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Home Airport: H07

Occupation: Retired

Education: BS in Business and Finance; MIB in International Business, Naval Post Graduate School (System Safety Program Management, Aviation Accident Investigator)

Pilot Certificates: ATP (B757/767, B727, MD80, DC9, F27/FH227, DC3) COMMERCIAL (DC6/7, ASMEL&S) INSTRUMENT, ROTARCRAFT (S58), GLIDER, INSTRUCTOR (CFIIG)

Airplanes Flying/Flown: B767, B727, MD80, DC9, C9B, F27/FH227, DC4, DC6, CV240/340, M404, DC3, Beech D18, Beech Bonanza D50, Baron B55, Cessna 172/182, L19, Piper PA11, PA18, PA 25, Sikorsky S58, Bell H13/47G, Schweizer 2-33, 1-26, 1-34, Grob 102, 103, ASK 13, Schleicher ASW 19, Blanik L23, L13AC, DG 505M

Educational Specialty: Aviation Safety and Program Management

Q & A

What drew you to aviation? An uncle who was a WWII Naval Aviator.

How long have you been involved in aviation education? 55+ years.

What’s your favorite part of what you do in aviation education? Working with students.

Do you have a memorable aviation experience you’d like to share? A day at the airport is better than the worst day in the office.

Why did you join SAFE? To support aviation education and aviation education professionals.

What would you like to see change in aviation? The basic concept of test preparation, i.e, teach the knowledge not the test. (That could be a PhD dissertation!)

Who are your role models in aviation? The list is endless. All of the early pioneers who made aviation what it is today and of course Sandy Hill, who perpetuates the concept of professionalism in aviation instruction.