The National Association of Flight Instructors announced on Monday thatthe group’s founder, Jack Jay Eggspuehler, died on April 30. He was 86 years old. Eggspuehler was a flight instructor and professor of aviation at The Ohio State University from 1958 to 1980. In 1967, he led a small group of aviation professionals to create NAFI, with the intent to raise the professional standing of flight instructors across the U.S. He served as the organization’s president for 30 years. After his retirement from NAFI’s board of directors in 2000, Eggspuehler was named president emeritus.
Eggspuehler was the recipient of many awards and honors, including EAA’s Chairman’s Award, the NAA’s Elder Statesman of Aviation award and an AOPA Meritorious Award for outstanding contributions to flight safety. He was a member of the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame and the Quiet Birdmen. He lived in Ohio and Florida, and is survived by three sons and three grandchildren.
