Source: Bill Gross, 826-2970, bgross@sal.k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415
News Release prepared by: Abigail Crouse, 785-826-2642, acrouse@sal.k-state.edu
Friday, Oct. 26, 2007
K-STATE AT SALINA'S BILL GROSS RENEWS MASTER CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATUS
SALINA – William "Bill" Gross, chief flight instructor and professor of aviation at Kansas State University at Salina, has earned Master Certificated Flight Instructor accreditation from the National Association of Flight Instructors.
Gross has held the professional accreditation continuously since 2003. He is one of only 15 Kansas aviation educators who has the prestigious designation. According to the National Association of Flight Instructors, the title is awarded only to the top instructors in the nation.
In all, K-State at Salina has five faculty members who have earned this top designation. Along with Gross, they are Kurt Barnhart, professor and head of the department of aviation; Bernard King, associate professor of aviation; Troy Brockway, associate professor of aviation; and Eric Shappee, associate professor of aviation.
The national accreditation, recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration, is earned through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review. The accreditation must be renewed biennially and is awarded only to instructors who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth and service to the aviation community.
As part of the honor, Gross will be recognized at a "Meet the Masters" breakfast sponsored by the National Association of Flight Instructors at the Experimental Aircraft Association's 2008 AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., and at the 2008 Sun 'N Fun in Lakeland, Fla.
An aviation instructor for more than 30 years, Gross, who has been with K-State at Salina since 1987, has helped the program grow from three to more than 300 students. Today, Gross oversees all flight training at K-State at Salina, as well as its ground school.
Over the span of his career, Gross has trained more than 1,000 students and was recently named the 2006 Certified Flight Instructor of the Year by the FAA's Flight Standards district office in Wichita.
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.
The National Association of Flight Instructors provides 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 the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1995. More information about the association's Master Instructor program is available at http://www.nafimasters.org and http://www.nafinet.org