Instructors Break Ranks With NAFI, Form New Group

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Key Takeaways:

  • Dissatisfied former members of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) have broken away to form a new organization, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE).
  • The split was primarily driven by disagreement over NAFI's dismissal of JoAnn and Sandy Hill, who previously administered NAFI's Master Instructor program.
  • This personnel dispute escalated into a broader issue concerning NAFI's governance, resulting in a loss of confidence in its board.
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Unhappy with recent personnel decisions by the board of directors, former members of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) have broken away to form their own organization, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE). Members of the new group are at loggerheads with NAFI over the dismissals of JoAnn and Sandy Hill, former NAFI board members who had administered NAFI’s Master Instructor program under contract before being dismissed late last year. According to Doug Stewart, a spokesman for SAFE, the disagreement over the dismissal of the Hills grew to become an issue of governance, leading to a loss of confidence with the NAFI board.

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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