Minnesota CFI of The Year

18, 2013) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) has named Paul Van Brunt of Prior Lake, Minnesota, the 2013 Minnesota Flight Instructor of the Year.

Van Brunt is a major in the 130th squadron of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. In addition to his flight instruction duties, he has served as a squadron deputy commander, public affairs officer, and stan/eval officer. He is also a member of the local FAA Safety Team.

For nearly 50 years, FAA’s General Aviation Awards Program has recognized a small group of aviation professionals in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance, avionics, and flight safety for their contributions to the aviation community.

The selection process begins with nominations from aviation professionals, FAASTeam representatives, and the local FAA offices. Following the selection of the state winners, panels of aviation professionals from within those four fields then select regional and national award recipients in the spring.

Van Brunt was nominated by Captains Scott Johnson and Tyra Cerny in recognition of his flight training efforts in both the CAP and his work with students at local flight schools: Air-Trek North and Stick-n-Rudder Flight Training at Air Lake Airport (KLVN) in Lakeville, Minn.

Johnson commented in his nomination letter: “Paul is the flight instructor that other instructors turn to when they have challenging students needing assistance getting over a training plateau. Many local flight instructors turn to Paul when they need instruction themselves in aviation instruction technique and flight safety.”

In 2012, Major Van Brunt trained six CAP cadets from start to finish with a 100 percent first-time pass rate. The unparalleled success rate includes successful completion of the private pilot practical exam and acquisition of the pilot certificate. Van Brunt volunteered more than 250 flight hours, entailing not only a commitment to duty, but personal financial sacrifice.

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