Instructors Form New Association

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Key Takeaways:

  • A new organization, The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), has been formed by a breakaway group of former members from the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).
  • The split was initially triggered by NAFI's decision to dismiss long-time contractors Joanne and Sandy Hill from administering the Master Instructor program, intending to bring it in-house.
  • The dispute evolved into an issue of governance, with SAFE advocating for an elected board, contrasting with NAFI's self-appointing board which is now considering future structural changes.
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A breakaway group of former members of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) have formed a new organization. The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) grew from a group formed in October when NAFI’s board of directors announced its intention to dismiss long-time members Joanne and Sandy Hill from their contract position administering the Master Instructor program. In podcast interviews with NAFI spokesman Jason Blair and TBO (now SAFE) spokesman Doug Stewart, which appeared in AVweb on Friday, both sides gave their version of the events that ultimately led to the formation of a separate group.

Stewart told AVweb that the impasse over the Hills turned into an issue of governance, since the NAFI board is self-appointing. SAFE will elect its board of directors. Blair told AVweb NAFI is considering changes to its governance structure but won’t make those types of decisions until its April meeting. He also said the Hills’ contribution was well-recognized and appreciated but the board determined the Master Instructor program would be better administered in-house rather than through independent contractors.

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