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K-State Today

August 7, 2015

Retired K-State Salina aviation professor awarded Master Instructor Emeritus status

Submitted by Julee Cobb

After serving K-State Salina's professional pilot program for 17 years, retired faculty member and former interim department head Barney King has been awarded an elite honor in the aviation industry.

King recently was granted Master Instructor Emeritus status, which recognizes his commitment to excellence, professional growth, service to the aviation community and involvement in providing quality aviation education. He is one of only 31 aviators worldwide to be given the emeritus title.

King started teaching in K-State Salina's professional pilot program in 1998. Two years later, he was promoted to the program lead and this past school year, served as the interim aviation department head. King has been named Academic Adviser of the Year twice and was selected as the recipient of the McArthur Family Faculty Fellow Award in 2011. King also was given the Paul A. Whelan Educator Award in 2014 by the Aviation Accreditation Board International.

Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for the Master Instructor designation and the FAA-approved Master Instructor Program, granted King this significant aviation accomplishment. King has earned the Master credential eight times, which makes him one of only seven in the world to do this. Master Instructor candidates must pass a rigorous evaluation by a peer-review board.

Before arriving at K-State Salina, King served in the U.S. Army for 23 years as an infantry and aviation officer. He has been awarded many service honors including the Silver Star, Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts.