National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year

GAawardplaque

 

 Since 1962, the General Aviation Awards Program has recognized a small group of aviation professionals in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance, avionics, and flight safety for their important contributions to the aviation community.

This awards program is a partnership and a cooperative effort between more than a dozen sponsoring organizations from the aviation industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The selection process begins with local offices. Panels of aviation professionals from within those four fields then select national winners from the pool of regional winners.

The FAA administrator annually has presented the national awards in July during a “Theater in the Woods” program at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Included in the prize packages for each national winner is an all-expense paid trip to Oshkosh for the recipient and a guest to attend the awards presentation and other GA Awards activities. Generous contributions from industry sponsors pay for the winners’ expenses, while the FAA provides the support and structure for nominations to proceed from local to national levels. Hard working volunteers within the industry provide the various administrative tasks.

The General Aviation Awards Program is a cooperative effort between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation industry sponsors to recognize annually outstanding individuals in the fields of Avionics, Flight Instruction, and Maintenance. In addition, the program recognizes outstanding individuals serving the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) as representatives.

The awards highlight the important roles these individuals play in promoting aviation safety, education, and professionalism. Winners will be recognized locally, regionally and nationally. National winners will be recognized during AirVenture-Oshkosh each July. There, they will also receive gifts and merchandise provided by sponsors and contributors. 


For More information about GA Awards, please visit their webpage http://www.generalaviationawards.com/


2024 National CFI of the Year

Adam Magee NAFI BoardAdam Magee (NAFI#220218) of Swisher, Iowa is the “2024 National Flight Instructor of the Year”. Adam is an aviation professional who, through the Balloon Training Academy, teaches over 100 students per year and runs Lighter than Air (LTA) webinars. His aviation experience includes flight instruction, check ride prep, and instruction in Private and Commercial Ground School. He has organized annual safety seminars, designed private and commercial training syllabi, created an online flight instructor refresher course for balloon instructors and the Elite Balloon Instructor program. Adam is an LTA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) for the Des Moines FSDO. He holds multiple FAA Basic, Advanced, and Master WINGS. Adam is a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) Board of Directors. He serves as the Treasurer, and Finance Committee Chair for the association. He was the 2021 General Aviation Awards National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year.

 


 

Past National CFI of the Year Recipients:

2023 Bob Raskey (NAFI#228134) 1994 William E Huber
2022 Dr. Amy Hoover (NAFI#16135) 1993 Kenneth W Medley
2021 Ronald “Ron” Timmermans (NAFI#23313) 1992 William K Kershner
2020 Catherine Cavagnaro (NAFI#219522) 1991  Lloyd J Probst
2019 Gary Reeves (NAFI#219477) 1990 Sandra Provenzano
2018 Daniel P. Christman (NAFI#16593) 1989 John U. Rockcastle (NAFI#8012)
2017 Charles O. Gensler (NAFI# 18957) 1988 Jeffrey Hanson
2016 Robert J. Hepp (NAFI# 216994) 1987 June B. Bonesteel (NAFI#7685)
2015 Mary A. Schu (NAFI# 215075) 1986 Genie Ray O’Kelley
2014 Howard W. Wolvington (NAFI# 16507) 1985 Harold W Spencer
2013 Dean W. Eichholz (NAFI# 8691) 1984 James G Byrnes
2012 Hobart C. Tomlinson (NAFI#19656) 1983 Mary J. Reindl
2011 Judy A. Phelps 1982 Gladys M. Morrison
2010 Jeffery R. Moss (NAFI#215505) 1981 Fred H. Atkinson
2009 Arlynn McMahon (NAFI#20271) 1980 Lee G. Barnes
2008 Max Trescott (NAFI#18649) 1979 Evelyn B. Johnson
2007 Michael G. Gaffney 1978 Obie Sigrest Young (NAFI#2947)
2006 Richard L. Stowell, Jr 1977 Edward Alan Englehardt
2005 John A. Teipen (NAFI#13290) 1976 Gregory G. Gorak (NAFI#1245)
2004 Douglas Stewart 1975 Unknown
2003 William J. Edwards (NAFI#12331) 1974 Unknown
2001 Phillip J. Poynor (NAFI#9685) 1973 Willard C. Marvin
2002 Kirby V. Ortega (NAFI#14010) 1972 Thomas M. Smith
2000 Gregory N. Brown (NAFI#13972) 1971 Unknown
1999 David H. Faile 1970 Unknown
1998 John C. “JC” Boylls (NAFI#4659) 1969 Unknown
1997 James E. Trusty 1968 Unknown
1996 Ludwig J. “Lou” Wipotnik 1967 Henry “Hank” S. Hubbell
1995 Lyn Carlson