Westminster Flight Instructor Earns Prestigious Aviation Achievement

Julie Paash is the top .07% of Certified Flight Instructors nationwide

SALT LAKE CITY – Westminster College and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) take pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Julie Paasch, Westminster chief flight instructor. Recently, Julie was accredited as a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) by NAFI, her professional aviation education association.

To put this achievement into perspective, there are approximately 91,000 CFIs in the U.S., and fewer than 600 of them have achieved the “Master” distinction thus far. Julie is one of only three Utah aviation educators to earn this prestigious Master title.

The Master Instructor designation is the only industry professional accreditation recognized by the FAA. It is earned by candidates through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review. Much like a flight instructor's certificate, it must be renewed biennially. This process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Simply put, the Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators, those "Teachers of Flight," who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth and service to the aviation community.

NAFI is dedicated to providing support and recognition for America's aviation educators while helping them raise and maintain their level of professionalism. It is also committed to providing a safe and effective learning environment for student pilots. The Association was founded in 1967 and affiliated with EAA in 1995. For more information on NAFI, visit www.nafinet.org.

Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information visit www.westminstercollege.edu.