24
January
2018
|
17:27 PM
America/Chicago

Congressional Squadron's Gawler Receives 11th Master Certified Flight Instructor Rating

Master Instructors LLC has announced a significant aviation accomplishment by Maj. Bob Gawler, a member of Civil Air Patrol’s Congressional Squadron.

Gawler’s accreditation as a Master Certified Flight Instructor was recently renewed by Master Instructors, the international accrediting authority for the six Master Instructor designations as well as the industry-acclaimed, Federal Aviation Administration-approved Master Instructor Continuing Education Program.

Gawler first earned this national professional accreditation in 2000, has held it continuously since then and is one of only 11 worldwide to earn the credential 10 or more times.

There are about 101,000 FAA-certificated CFIs in the U.S., and fewer than 800 aviation educators worldwide have achieved one or more of the Master accreditations. Twenty-three of the last National Flight Instructors of the Year, National FAASTeam Representatives of the Year or National Aviation Maintenance Techs of the Year were Masters.

Gawler, an independent instructor at Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, is one of only 12 Maryland aviation educators to earn one or more of these prestigious Master titles. He also serves as a FAASTeam representative as well as a designated pilot examiner in the FAA’s Baltimore Flight Standards District Office area.

Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, CAP’s national commander, offered his congratulations to Gawler on earning the Master CFI distinction — again.

“I am taken with the fact that you are one of only 11 individuals who have earned this accreditation 10 or more times,” Smith said. “You represent the finest level of excellence, and we are proud to have you as a member of CAP.”

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the 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 other professionals use to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Designees are recognized as outstanding aviation educators for not only their excellence in teaching but also their engagement in the continuous process of learning — both their own and their students’.

The designation must be renewed biennially. It significantly surpasses the FAA requirements for renewal of the candidate’s flight instructor certificate.

In the words of former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, “The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer.”