The Master Instructor designation is a national FAA-recognized professional accreditation and parallels other professionals' continuing education regimens to increase their professionalism. The Master's designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses FAA requirements for renewing the candidate's flight instructor certificate. Of the 122,000 flight instructors in the US, fewer than 800 have earned the Master Instructor designation. Most are SAFE members.

Stephen Fiegel, MCFI-A

Master Instructors is pleased to announce that Stephen Fiegel of Hookset, New Hampshire has received his Second Accreditation as a Master Instructor-Aerobatic.

Stephen fell in love with aviation at a young age, often attending airshows in the Northeast with his Dad and siblings. He earned his pilot certificate in 2006 and became a Certified Flight Instructor in early 2012, providing aerobatic and UPRT instruction, and also specializes in warbird and tailwheel flying.

Stephen served in an array of roles in the airshow industry and currently operates Keystone Aerosports, providing UPRT, aerobatic, spin, aerobatic aircraft type training, and pilot services for its clients.

Michael Demulling, MCFI

\Master Instructors is honored to announce that SAFE member Michael C. Demulling of New Richmond, WI has been designated a Twelve-Time Master Instructor.

Master Instructors are recognized for their excellence and professionalism and commitment to pilot training. Mike, with more than 25 years as a flight educator, is one of only six educators to achieve this accreditation for at least the twelfth time.

Mike has managed New Richmond Regional Airport for the past 29 years, serves as the flight department manager for Ames Construction, and assists in the operation of East Metro Jet Center, the airport’s full-service FBO. He also operates Mike Demulling Flight Instruction, conducting primary, instrument, and advanced training as well as Aerostar and Citation flight and ground training.

Michael B. Traud, MCFI

SAFE member Michael B. Traud of Gold River, CA has earned his accreditation as a Master Instructor for the 10th time, recognizing more than twenty years as an aviation educator.

Master Instructors are recognized for their excellence, professionalism and commitment to pilot training. Mike is a member of the Master Instructor Board of Review.

He is a Designated Pilot Examiner in Northern California and operates MTAviation Services, LLC, which provides aviation support and consultation services. Mike provides annual and semi-annual flight instruction and pilot proficiency training to support owner insurance requirements in addition to mentoring newly certificated flight instructors.

He is based at the Sacramento Mather Airport.

Kyle Thomas, MCFI

Master Instructors is honored to announce that Kyle Thomas of Durant, Oklahoma has been named a Master Instructor for the tenth time. Kyle's first Master CFI designation was in March of 2006, a designation he has held continuously since that time.

This extraordinary accomplishment recognizes his more than twenty years as a top Aviation Educator, committed to excellence, professionalism, aviation safety and education.

Kyle is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and an Associate Professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Aerospace Sciences Institute. He serves the university as the Part 141 Chief Flight Instructor and Flight Operations Manager, a position he has held for 28 years.

"This is a remarkable achievement," said David St. George, executive director of SAFE. "Twenty years as a Master Instructor is an enviable record for anyone, and we're delighted."

James Ratliff, MCFI

Master Instructors is pleased to announce that James Ratliff of Houston, Texas has received his first accreditation as a Master Instructor.

Jim is a Platinum CSIP and currently serves as the Chief Flight Instructor at Tidal Aviation, a Platinum Cirrus Training Center with locations at Houston Executive Airport (KTME) and Conroe North Houston Executive Airport (KCXO).

Jim is a former USAF Fighter Pilot and Fighter Weapons School instructor, having flown the A-7D Corsair, A-10 Warthog, and F-5E Tiger II. He has accumulated over 18,000 hours in more than 30 types of aircraft.

John Mahany, MCFI

Well-known instructor John Mahany of Long Beach CA last month earned a remarkable eighth accreditation as a Master Instructor. That renewal means John is entering his 14th year as an MCFI.

John, who has been flying for more than 45 years, is an independent CFII who owns an eponymous website that offers on-site prep courses for almost-pilots, just-now-pilots and rusty pilots. He also works as an IFR Training Specialist for Professional Instrument Courses.

He's long been active in the SoCal aviation community as a writer and presenter of safety webinars and seminars. Among the aviation organizations John is involved are EAA Chapter 7, the Fullerton Airport Pilots Association and SoCal Pilots. "It's all to give back and make a difference in safety and training," he says.

John also writes an occasional blog on aviation matters called CFI Corner.

Andrew Michael Borash, MCFI

Master Instructors is pleased to congratulate Andrew Michael Borash of Missoula MT, the newest Master Instructor.

Andrew is a born and raised Montana aviator, introduced at age 7 by his grandfather. He went on to college for aviation and graduated with his Single and Multi-engine Commercial certifications and CFI.

Since then Andrew has completed his CFI-I, MEI, and is SIC type-rated in a Phenom 300.

His Initial Master CFI Designation demonstrates his commitment to aviation education while he continues to grow as a pilot and instructor.

Doug Stewart. MCFI

Master Instructors is honored to announce that Doug Stewart of South Egremont MA has received his Thirteenth accreditation as a Master Flight Instructor. This marks more than twenty-six years as a Master Instructor; Doug is one of only a handful of aviation educators in the world to achieve this extraordinary level of excellence.

Doug, the 2004 National Instructor of the Year, is a DPE and full-time CFII focusing on real-world IFR training conducted on multi-day flights. To date he has provided more than 13,300 hours of flight instruction. He was a co-founder of SAFE in 1990 and is now Executive Director Emeritus for the organization. Doug has represented SAFE on the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC) for more than 10 years.

He is a frequent speaker and a subject matter expert for Pilot Workshops and Community Aviation.

Chris Palmer, MCFI

Master Instructors is honored to announce that Chris Palmer of Homer, Alaska has received his Second Accreditation as a Master Instructor. The only MI based in Alaska, Chris is a well-known figure in the aviation community, operating a small flight school while producing and sharing content through his brand, Angle of Attack. Mostly focused on instruction, this media gives the world a view into flight training.

At his core, Chris is just another instructor and loves to teach. He provides training for primary students through CFI candidates, and finds that each student brings a new and different challenge. Chris thrives on helping students break through barriers and achieve their dreams. His focus lies in safe flying and learning core stick and rudder skills in the Alaskan landscape, and he appreciates the 'why' of aviation, not just the 'how'.

Chris was also the designer of the crisp, modern booth display SAFE uses at Oshkosh and several more local celebrations. Congratulations, Chris!