The National Association of Flight Instructors inducted Greg Brown and John and Martha King into its National Flight Instructor Hall of Fame on Oct. 13, during NBAA-BACE.
Bill Carey
NAFI’s John Niehaus (left) and Hall of Fame inductees Greg Brown and John and Martha King at NBAA-BACE. Credit: Brett Schauf/ShowNews
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) named Greg Brown and John and Martha King as the latest inductees into its National Flight Instructor Hall of Fame on Oct. 13, during NBAA-BACE.
Brown, who is based in Flagstaff, Arizona, is the 32nd inductee into the Hall of Fame. He was NAFI’s 2000 National Flight Instructor of the Year and has served as a longtime columnist with AOPA Flight Training Magazine. He has published five books, including “The Turbine Pilot’s Flight Manual” and “The Savvy Flight Instructor.”
“He’s educated so many on jet operations with this ‘Turbine Pilots Flight Manual,’” said NAFI’s John Niehaus. “You probably know him as the savvy flight instructor, having now a second edition of the book of the same name, published under ‘Aviation Supplies & Academics.’ And finally, he was the first-ever accredited master flight instructor.”
John and Martha King, the 33rd and 34th inductees, are co-founders of San Diego-based King Schools. In 1994, they became the first couple to hold every category and class of FAA rating on their pilot and instructor certificates, and they remain active in many categories by regularly flying jets to piston airplanes and helicopters. They have championed the cause of improving the risk management practices of general aviation pilots.
“In the early 1970s, they began flying for something to do until they found their passion,” said Niehaus. “After teaching a decade of live seminars, they realized they had the unique ability to connect with people on a fundamental level. For over 43 years, John and Martha King have provided millions of hours of instructional content to thousands of future and current aviators.”
Niehaus added: “As co-founders of King Schools, John and Martha King have given back to the community through all of your favorite aviation publications, through seminars, educational scholarships and corporate philanthropy.”
The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals “who have made significant contributions to aviation education and flight instruction while reflecting credit upon themselves and their profession,” says NAFI. Nominees must have worked in aviation education under 14 CFR parts 61, 121, 141 or 142 regulations for a minimum of 20 years prior to nomination and have been considered to have provided active flight instruction for at least 10 years. An independent judging panel selects the inductees.
