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Eastern Cincinnati Aviation - Master CFIs
The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation that may be earned by aviation educators
and is based on a system of advanced professional standards as well as peer review. The designation is
granted by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and serves a dual purpose. First, it identifies and publicly recognizes those "Teachers
of Flight" who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to
the aviation community. Second, it sets professional standards to which all aviation educators can aspire.
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Eric Radtke
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Title: President, Sporty's Academy, Inc., FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor, NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructor
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Current Ratings: CFI, CFII, ATP, Gold Seal, AGI, NAFI Master Flight Instructor
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Education: University of Cincinnati
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Originally From: Cincinnati, OH
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Eric’s interest in aviation was sparked on his first airline trip at age seven. As he passed the cockpit door, he looked in and was rewarded by an invitation to visit. As the first officer explained some of what each item did, Eric remembers the thought formed in his head: “I want to learn how to fly this big machine and know what all the switches and buttons do.”
His career interest held, and he entered the University of Cincinnati professional pilot program. After graduating, he worked as a flight instructor and a contract pilot. Soon he was hired as a copilot for an international airline. Although he’d fulfilled his dream, Eric decided he preferred the fun and rewards of life in general aviation. Today, he is responsible for overseeing all of the flight and ground instruction – in fact, all the aviation education activities at Sporty’s.
That includes teaching courses for the University of Cincinnati program. “Both my parents and brother are teachers,” he says. “Teaching is the family business.” In terms of his favorite students, Eric says his only requirement is enthusiasm. “If we are walking around the airport, I want to teach the student who looks up each time an airplane passes overhead,” he says.
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Paul E. Jurgens II
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Title: Vice President Sporty's Academy, Chief Instructor-Multiengine & Glider Operations, Assistant Chief Instructor-Single Engine Airplanes, FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor, NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructor, NAFI Master Ground Instructor
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Current Ratings: CFI-SE, CFI-IA, CFI-ME, CFI-G, AGI, IGI, ATP-MEL, SES, Com-SEL and Glider, Dispatcher, Gold Seal, NAFI Master Flight Instructor, NAFI Master Ground Instructor
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Education: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Miami University
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Originally From: New Paris, OH
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If it has either two engines or no engine, Paul will teach you how to fly it. He specializes in both multiengine training in Sporty’s Aztec and glider training in Sporty’s Xtreme Motorglider. About gliding he says, “I love the challenge of flight without an engine, especially the landings.”
A flight instructor since 1989, Paul has taught hundreds of students. He says, “I like those students who are enthusiastic about learning, and for me, that tends to be the older students. They seem to have more of an interest in accomplishment and concentrate more.”
He appreciates when students come prepared for lessons and when they spend time away from the airport reviewing their lessons. When not instructing, Paul writes the study guides and handbooks that accompany Sporty’s courses as well as some of the scripts for Sporty’s educational DVDs.
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Bret Koebbe
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Title: Vice President Sporty's Academy, Check Airman, FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor, NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructor
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Current Ratings: CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, CE-500 Type Rating, IGI, AGI, Gold Seal, NAFI Master Flight Instructor
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Education: University of Cincinnati
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Originally From: Cincinnati, OH
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When Bret was in high school, he was both an Aviation Explorer and an Engineering Explorer. A flight in a friend’s family Cessna 172 tipped his interest to aviation. From Aviation Exploring to the University of Cincinnati professional pilot program was a logical step. Bret says, “By March of my second year, I started flight instructing. You get your money’s worth out of the UC aviation program quickly.”
A good instructor should be “outgoing, personable and accommodating” according to Bret. Asked for a specialty, Bret says he enjoys glass panel training – GPS, autopilots and any advanced equipment.
Bret’s favorite students are those who are learning to fly just for fun. He says, “I like teaching people who see flying as an enjoyment, not necessarily a career. I find these students put effort into their lessons and have a good time too.” His greatest thrill as an instructor? Bret says, “It is the satisfaction of seeing someone else succeed with my guidance.”
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Andy Capetillo
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Title: FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor, Advanced Ground Instructor, NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructor
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Current Ratings: CFI,CFII, MEI, CFI-G, AGI, ATP, LR-JET Type Rating, Commercial ASES, Gold Seal, NAFI Master Instructor
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Education: University of Cincinnati
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Originally From: Toledo, Ohio
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This job is fun, challenging, and rewarding especially seeing a student progress from their first solo to becoming a commercial pilot.
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Eric Francis
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Title: Check Airman, NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructor
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Current Ratings: CFI, CFII, MEI, IGI, ATP, LR-JET, LR-60, Gold Seal, NAFI Master Flight Instructor
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Education: University of Cincinnati, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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Originally From: Loveland, Ohio
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When Eric says he grew up around airplanes, he means that literally. As a child, his father was building a VariEze right in their living room. Now a pilot for DHL, Eric’s dad is a A300 captain. “I’ve been around aviation all my life. I always knew I was going to fly someday,” he says.
Eric was equally interested in pursuing a career in sound engineering for the music business and even started training. He says, “I knew I had to choose one path or another and give it 100 percent, so I chose aviation. Flying has been one of the most exciting challenges I’ve ever undertaken.”
Today he enjoys helping his students achieve their own aviation goals. He says, “I work hard to keep the lessons efficient and enjoyable. As a Flight Instructor, It is very rewarding to share my passion for aviation and help other people create their own adventures.”
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Matt Meyer
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Title: Gold Seal Flight Instructor, Advanced Ground Instructor,
NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructor
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Current Ratings: ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, CFI-G, Gold Seal, AGI, NAFI Master Flight Instructor
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Education: University of Cincinnati; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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Originally From: Cincinnati, Ohio
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As part of a college ROTC program, Matt was sent to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for glider training. That trip was only his third commercial flight and his first experience in a GA aircraft. He enjoyed the experience so much that he came home and switched his career direction to aviation and enrolled in the University of Cincinnati Professional Pilot program.
Entering as a junior, he quickly caught up with the flight training portion of the program. He later became a flight instructor with Eastern Cincinnati Aviation and also has supplemented his income with other flying jobs. Today Matt teaches students both in airplanes and in ECA’s Diamond Motorglider. He describes his favorite students are “the ones who really want to be here and are paying for the instruction themselves.”
Matt says he enjoys seeing students succeed. His fondness for gliders remains as well. He says, “When you fly without an engine you have to think differently. You are always evaluating wind direction and distance. There is no sitting back like you can sometimes in a powered aircraft.”
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Michael Lack
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Title: FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor, NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructor
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Current Ratings: CFI, CFII, MEI, Commercial, AGI, Gold Seal, NAFI Master Flight Instructor
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Education: University of Cincinnati; Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
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Originally From: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Michael is the first one in his family to be a pilot. His interest in aviation was sparked when he was eight years old and was taken for a Cessna 172 ride as part of Boy Scout activities. From there, his passion for flying grew. "It seems I've always been interested in airplanes," he says.
When it comes to flying, Michael enjoys instrument training. "I find it a more challenging form of flying," he says. "Plus it's the kind of flying I enjoy, as opposed to VFR flight."
Although he is open to any student, Michael enjoys older students because of their maturity level. "An older student comes prepared for each lesson," he says, "And that makes teaching easier and more effective." As he considers a career most likely in corporate aviation, he says, "I know I will always have a hand in instructing no matter what."
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Keith Landrum
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Title: Flight Instructor, NAFI Master Flight Instructor
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Current Ratings: CFI, NAFI Master Flight Instructor
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Education: University of Cincinnati
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Originally From: Owensville, Ohio
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Flying is not only my job, it’s my passion. I take pride in sharing the joy and knowledge of aviation with others.
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