WISE — Robert J. “Bob” Spera, the face and personality of general aviation at Wise County’s Lonesome Pine Airport for nearly 21 years, has been granted Master Instructor Emeritus status in recognition of his many years of commitment to excellence, professional growth, service to the aviation community and quality aviation education.
Spera has served as the fixed base operator (FBO) at LPA since 1992 as well as the owner of Lonesome Pine’s Liberty Flying Service (http://LibertyFlyingService.com/). He has also served as a FAASTeam (FAA Safety Team) representative in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Charleston, W.Va., FSDO (Flight Safety District Office) area that covers all of West Virginia and eight counties of Virginia.
This week Master Instructors LLC announced the top ranking for Spera. Master Instructors LLC is the international accrediting authority for the Master Instructor designation as well as the FAA-approved master instructor program.
Spera first earned master instructor status in 2002, held it continuously ever since, and is one of only 31 aviation instructors worldwide to earn the credential six times. Master instructor status is achieved by few, let alone the emeritus designation.
There are approximately 96,000 certified flight instructors in the United States. Fewer than 700 have achieved master status to date. The last 17 national Flight Instructors of the Year were master certified flight instructors. Spera is one of only 17 Virginia aviation educators to earn the prestigious master title and is one of only 19 worldwide to be granted emeritus status.
On Thursday, the always affable Spera said for a master flight instructor to be considered for emeritus status, a candidate must attain master’s status for 10 consecutive years — no easy feat — among other requirements.
“Isn’t that something? But one thing about it, I feel like it means I must be getting old with that emeritus thing,” he said. “It’s been tough. To be a master you’ve got to put in a lot of hours. It surprised me that only 19 have achieved it. But hey, I’m not retiring. As long as my health holds up I’m going to continue to fly.”
At 65 “and a half,” he said he still flies for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as well. As an aviation elder, Spera said while flight education is expensive, young people desiring a career in aviation should seriously consider going for it.
“This era is opening up a great opportunity for young people in aviation,” he said. “There is going to be a serious shortage of airline pilots in the years ahead. The real kicker is that aviation education is so expensive, but the opportunities are going to be there.”
While honorary, emeritus status may be conferred upon an individual master flight instructor, a designation that requires passing a rigorous evaluation by a peer review board. The process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge while increasing their professionalism.
Master instructor designees are recognized as outstanding aviation educators not only for their excellence in teaching, but their engagement in continuing education — both their own and their students. The designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses the FAA’s stringent requirements for renewal of a candidate’s flight instructor certificate.
Former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey has said the master instructor certification “singles out the best that the right seat has to offer.
http://www.timesnews.net
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