Gopher Flying Club now has a Master CFI

Master CFI George Felix in his CAP Uniform

Master CFI George Felix in his CAP Uniform

Congratulations go out to club member George Felix on his latest accomplishment.

The Master Instructors LLC takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of George P Felix, the owner of Felix Flight Services and a resident of Maple Grove, Minnesota.  Recently, George was accredited as a Master CFI  by the Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for the Master Instructor designation as well as the FAA-approved “Master Instructor Continuing Education Program.” 

To help put these achievements in their proper perspective, there are approximately 101,000 CFIs in the United States.  Fewer than 800 of those aviation educators have achieved that distinction thus far.  The last 22 National Flight Instructors of the Year, National FAASTeam Representatives of the Year, or National AMTs of the Year were Master CFIs while George is one of only 11 Minnesota aviation educators who have earned one or more of these prestigious “Master” titles.

In the words of former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, “The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer.”

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA and must be renewed biennially.  Candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and must pass a rigorous evaluation by a Board of Review.  The process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism.  Designees are recognized as outstanding aviation educators for not only their excellence in teaching, but for their engagement in the continuous process of learning — both their own, and their students’.  

Flight in actual IMC

The ink is barely dry on Gopher Flying Club Scott Ikeda’s Instrument rating and he is out practicing in the soup with CFII George Felix.  There’s no taking off the Foggles now…….Way to keep those perishable skills fresh Scott.

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