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SE chief flight instructor has elite accreditation status renewed
Press Release Date: 04-09-2010
Kyle Thomas recently had his Master Certificated Flight Instructor status renewed.
DURANT, Okla. – Kyle Thomas of Southeastern Oklahoma State University has been accredited as a Master Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) by Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for the Master Instructor designation as well as the FAA-approved "Master Instructor Program."
Thomas first earned this national professional accreditation in 2006 and has held it continuously since that time. He is an assistant aviation professor and chief flight instructor with Southeastern Oklahoma State University's Aviation Sciences Institute. He also serves as a coach for the university's flight team.
To help put these achievements in their proper perspective, there are approximately 93,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 700 of those aviation educators have achieved the master distinction thus far. The last 15 national Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs, and Thomas is one of only nine Oklahoma teachers of flight to earn this prestigious "Master" title.
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and must pass a rigorous evaluation by a peer 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'. The designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses the FAA requirements for renewal of the candidate's flight instructor certificate.
Thomas earned both his bachelor and master degrees at Southeastern, and joined the SE faculty in 1996.