NAFI Legacy Master Instructor Program

The NAFI Master CFI and Master Ground Instructor (MCFI/MGI) accreditation program confer an FAA-authorized accreditation to aviation educators based on a system of advanced professional standards and peer review. Master Instructors are aviation educators who reach an exceptional level of instructional activity, personal development, and professional service to the flight-training community. The Master program offers public recognition and professional standards to which all aviation educators can aspire.

Achieving the title of Master Instructor is based on the level of training activity, personal development, and volunteerism during the past 24 calendar months. Continuing to meet the high standards for renewal every two years can be a challenge. While a past Master Instructor can no longer refer to themself as a MCFI or MGI, the ideals and sentiments of what a Master embodies remain with the instructor even when their accreditation expires.

With each two-year renewal, the professional legacy of a Master Instructor grows. Longstanding MCFIs/MGIs often find themselves reducing the necessary activity levels, take a break from active instructing, or retire.

Legacy Master Instructor Recognition List

Introducing the NAFI Legacy Master Instructor Program - a way to earn continued recognition for active, expired, and former Masters.

A NAFI Legacy Master is a flight instructor with proven dedication to the industry by earning five or more MCFI/MGI designations over time. Simply put, if an instructor achieves a minimum of five or more NAFI Master Instructor accreditations, they earn the right to claim Legacy Master status. This designation applies to that individual even if they choose not to renew their Master.

The Legacy Master program offers three levels of achievement. Each adds more benefits to the MCFI/MGI who continues with the program. Our goal is to inspire and award continued participation in the program. It is the perfect blend of recognition and retention, providing not just continued acknowledgement of former Master Instructors, but also incentive for CFIs to continue to renew every other year.

Achieving a NAFI Legacy Master designation

An instructor automatically receives Legacy status at the completion of their fifth NAFI MCFI or MGI accreditation.

Masters do not have to be active to qualify for Legacy status
Masters whose fifth MCFI/MGI qualification expired before September 2019 will receive a Legacy Master Certificate
If the instructor returns to active Master status, they will retain the first five accreditations
Consecutive MCFI/MGI accreditations is not required

Earning a NAFI Legacy Master designation does not qualify an individual for FAA CFI certificate renewal.

There are no added activities required to become a Legacy Master.

As a participant in the NAFI Master Program, you are automatically on your way to earning Legacy status. Past, present, and future instructors are eligible and recognized in the program with no added effort on the part of the MCFI/MGI.

The Legacy Master Program offers three levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold

Legacy Master Bronze Level: A Master must have earned a minimum of five NAFI Master Flight/Ground accreditations to qualify. They do not need to be consecutive. Once qualified, NAFI provides:

Bronze Legacy Master congratulatory certificate
Bronze Legacy Master plate added to the perpetual plaque (added at next renewal if not a current MCFI/MGI)
Recognition via the NAFI Website, Mentor, AirVenture Member Breakfast

Legacy Master Silver Level: A Master must earn a minimum of 10 Master Flight/Ground accreditations to qualify. They do not need to be consecutive. Once qualified, NAFI provides:

All Bronze Level benefits
Silver Legacy Master congratulatory certificate
Exclusive Legacy Master Pin
Silver Legacy plate for perpetual plaque
Recognition via the NAFI Website, Mentor, AirVenture Member Breakfast

Legacy Master Gold Level: A Master must earn a minimum of 15 or more Master Flight/Ground accreditations to qualify. They do not need to be consecutive. Once qualified, NAFI provides: