2010 NATIONAL FAA SAFETY TEAM REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR

Thomas P Turner
exemplifies the highest standard of professionalism in the field of aviation safety and education. 

Tom's involvement in aviation began while a US Air Force officer by earning his initial pilot certification in 1985 and becoming a certificated flight instructor in 1988.  Today, he holds an airline transport pilot certificate with an AMEL rating as well as CFI, CFI-I, and MEI.

Since 1996, he has been an outspoken aviation safety advocate while also organizing and conducting safety programs for WINGS credit nationwide.  He now serves as a FAASTeam Lead Representative in the Wichita area where he conducts WINGS seminars, writes prolifically, and maintains aviation safety websites.  He has also earned Basic, Advanced, and Master-level WINGS accreditation through the FAA's Pilot Proficiency Program.

A dedicated student of aircraft accidents and aviation safety issues, he strives to make general aviation a safer place.  To that end, he spends many evenings writing and researching for several aviation publications including a weekly e-newsletter for his own business, Mastery Flight Training ( http://www.Mastery-Flight-Training.com).  That newsletter entitled "Flying Lessons" is read by thousands.  In addition, he serves on the permanent editorial board of the Aviator's Model Code of Conduct (AMCC) where he works to encourage professionalism and safety on the part of all pilots and mechanics regardless of certification level.

Currently, Tom is the executive director of the American Bonanza Society ( www.Bonanza.org ) which represents approximately 10,000 Beech aircraft owners, mechanics and enthusiasts around the world.  He is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Society as well as all technical and educational member support functions.  His typical day at the Society's Wichita office includes reading and writing e-mails, strategic planning, editing and managing the monthly ABS Magazine and website,  working with regulatory agencies and other associations, developing educational and technical support materials, and assisting members with piloting and technical questions 

As an independent flight instructor presenting type-specific initial and recurrent training in late-model Beech Bonanzas and Barons, he travels to his clients' locations to provide checkouts, flight review, and instrument proficiency training.  He also lectures at aviation events and pilot gatherings in the Wichita area, at AirVenture, and in other locations around the country.

A Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI), Tom is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the American Bonanza Society (ABS), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and is member of both the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) and NAFI.  In 2008, he was named the FAA's Central Region CFI of the Year.  Tom and his wife, Peggy, a Wichita high school teacher, reside in Rose Hill, Kansas. 

Turner (Exec@Bonanza.org) represented the Wichita FSDO area and the FAA's Central Region.  This year's other regional winners include Javier Angel GUERRA of Lytle, TX (FAA's Southwestern Region); William Victor HILL of Redding, CA (FAA's Western Pacific Region); MCFI Mark Edward MADDEN of Anchorage, AK (FAA's Alaska Region); Jon Nagi MALEK of Yonkers, NY (FAA's Eastern Region); John Edward MITCHELL of Fort Collins, CO (FAA's Northwest Mountain Region); MCFI John Urban ROCKCASTLE of Oxford, FL (FAA's Southern Region); and MCFI Wanda Jean ZUEGE of Custer, WI (FAA's Great Lakes Region).    (Attached photo: 2010 Nat'l FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year Tom Turner of Rose Hill, KS)