James “Steve” Rutland

The National Association of Flight Instructors is proud to announce that NAFI member Steve Rutland has earned accreditation as a NAFI Master Flight Instructor. This is Rutland’s 13th NAFI Master Flight Instructor accreditation. 

Rutland is a professional pilot and flight instructor with more than 50 years of aviation experience. A Master Army Aviator and former U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue pilot, he has spent more than 40 years as a civilian flight instructor at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Rutland holds three airline transport pilot ratings and five FAA flight instructor certificates. He has logged 21,650 accident-free flight hours in helicopters and airplanes and has taught primary, instrument, tactical terrain, night vision goggle, aero scout, UH-60 qualification, and instructor pilot courses.

His honors include the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, Embry-Riddle Alumni Achievement Award, EAA Service Above and Beyond Award, NAFI Greg J. Laslo Excellence in Writing Award, and Sikorsky Helicopter Rescue Award.