K-State at Salina aviation professor named most qualified in state

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Source: William Gross, 785-826-2970, bgross@sal.ksu.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-826-2642, kmayes@salina.k-state.edu

Friday, January 12, 2007

K-STATE AT SALINA AVIATION PROFESSOR NAMED MOST QUALIFIED IN STATE

SALINA -- The chief flight instructor at Kansas State University at Salina has been recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration as the best in Kansas.

Bill Gross, a professor of aviation and a professional pilot, was named Certified Flight Instructor of the Year by the FAA's Flight Standards district office in Wichita. The Wichita office is part of a four-state region which has five Flight Standards district offices. The Wichita office is the only one in Kansas. Gross was honored Jan. 8 by Bruce Allred, safety program manager with the Wichita office.

Gross, who has been teaching aviation for more than 30 years, was key to getting K-State's aviation program off the ground. He was the first pilot instructor to join the program when K-State and the Kansas College of Technology merged in 1991. He began working for the Kansas College of Technology in 1987. During his tenure, K-State at Salina's professional pilot program has grown from a handful of students to more than 300 students. Today, Gross is in charge of all flight training that goes on at K-State at Salina, as well as its ground school.

In addition, as a professional pilot, Gross has trained more than 1,000 students.

"This award just further underscores the quality of K-State at Salina's teaching faculty," said Marlon Johnston, head of K-State at Salina's aviation department. "Bill has long been dedicated to making sure our students get the training they need. He has certainly earned this recognition."

Gross is one of roughly a dozen Master Certified Flight Instructors in the state, and is one of four individuals on the K-State at Salina faculty who has achieved the Master Certified Flight Instructor status. Master Certified Flight Instructors and Certified Flight Instructors are recognized by the National Association of Flight Instructors. To become a Certified Flight Instructor, the pilot must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating and be able to pass an extensive checkride practical test with the FAA before being certified to teach ground and flight subjects to new pilots.

Gross has bachelor's degrees in animal sciences and industry and in agriculture education, and a master's degree in agriculture education, all from K-State. His professional affiliations include membership in the Kansas Pilots Association, the National Flight Instructors Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Gross is one of five Certified Flight Instructors in this region being recognized, and is one of 83 receiving awards across the nation.