Troy Brockway, associate professor of aviation at Kansas State University Salina, recently renewed his Master Certified Flight Instructor accreditation for the third time.One of 103 worldwide to earn the credential three times, he first earned this national professional accreditation in 2004 and has held it continuously since then.
Brockway, assistant chief flight instructor for K-State's aviation program, specializes in flight instructor training and is a volunteer Young Eagles pilot.
K-State has nine faculty members who hold the "Master" title. Holding the Master Certified Flight Instructor with Brockway are Kurt Barnhart, professor and head of the department of aviation; William "Bill" Gross, chief pilot and professor of aviation; Thomas Karcz, associate professor of aviation; Barney King, associate professor of aviation; Eric Shappee, associate professor of aviation; Lowell Hinchee, instructor of aviation; and Andrew Smith, assistant professor of aviation and the aviation maintenance training program lead. Raylene Alexander, assistant professor of avionics, is a Master Certified Instructor.
The national accreditation is recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration. Fewer than 700 of the approximately 93,000 certified flight instructors in the nation have achieved the master distinction. The designation must be renewed biennially and surpasses the FAA's requirements for renewal of the candidate's flight instructor certificate.
