Want To Be a Real Instructor?

The first NAFI Summit brought together an expert’s round of experts in flight training to the table.

Friday, October 27, 2023 at 06:26 PM ET

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John and Martha King, founders of Kings Schools, entertained and informed their fellow instructors at the NAFI Summit in Lakeland, Florida, this week. [Julie Boatman]

Key Takeaways:

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) held its first successful summit, bringing together approximately 200 attendees to discuss and improve flight instruction practices.
Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) raised concerns about insufficient genuine cross-country solo time among applicants and a dramatic drop in check ride pass rates, informally reported at 50 to 60 percent.
Sessions on flight instruction as a business emphasized identifying a niche, maintaining high-quality employees and equipment, and cautioning against misclassifying instructors as 1099 contractors due to legal risks and minimal savings.
The summit featured educational presentations, including a new GA Type Rating course for airline pilots and GPS instruction tips, alongside significant high-level networking opportunities aimed at raising the standard of flight instruction.

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Though it’s been around for more than 50 years, the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) hosted its first big event this week—a “summit” intended to bring together instructors from all over to discuss, educate, and debate on a range of topics near to our hearts. The tagline, “Come to NAFI Summit, go home a better instructor,” rang true following the largely informative and engaging sessions on Wednesday and Thursday in Lakeland, Florida, at the Florida Air Museum.

I know I learned a few things.