Michael Davis
Michael Davis

SAFE #: 0080

Hometown: Winona, MN

Home Airport: KONA

Occupation: Flight Instructor, Professional Pilot

Website: www.winairaviation.com

Education: AA

Pilot Certificates: Comm ASMEL, Inst, CFII, IGI, AGI

Airplanes Flying/Flown: C-150,172,177, 182, 172RG, 177RG; PA28-140, 151, 161, 180, 235; 180R, 200R; PA24-180; PA23-160, 250; PA31T; SR-20, 22; V35, C24R, BE95, BE20

Educational Specialty: Primary Training

Q & A

What drew you to aviation? Don’t know – been a plane nut since I was little! Twenty-Five years Air Force/Air National Guard didn’t cure the fever.

How long have you been involved in aviation education? Since 1996.

What’s your favorite part of what you do in aviation education? Helping students reach their dream of flight.

What’s your least favorite part of what you do in aviation education? Pre-flight in January.

Do you have a memorable aviation experience you’d like to share? First Solos!!!

Why did you join SAFE? I wanted to be part of an organization that respects my input and is responsive to my needs. SAFE has just been phenomenal in such a short time. It’s a privilege to be associated with this distinguished group of flight educators.

What would you like to see change in aviation? I’d like to see more professional instructors, who aren’t building time to move on, and pay changes which reflect their professionalism.

Any suggestions on how the above might be accomplished? Change the culture? If you’re not independently wealthy, flight instruction is about the only way to build time without loans.

Any accomplishments in, or noteworthy contributions to aviation and/or aviation education you’d like to mention? I’m a FAASTEAM Rep.

Who are your role models in aviation? Chuck Yeager, Capt. Al Haynes and Keith Hall (my primary and instrument instructor) — all pilots who knew how to use stick and rudder and could think on their feet.

Anything else you’d like to add? If we’re not having fun, we’re not doing it right!