Airventure 2026
July 20-26
NAFI Booth Location
Booth 354
Find us at Booth 354, located in the heart of the show grounds near Hangar B — just behind the Garmin booth. Look for the NAFI banner and stop in to connect with the team all week long.
Whether you’re a current flight instructor, considering a career in aviation education, or just want to learn more about what NAFI does for the instructor community, we’d love to see you there.
Call for Volunteers
Calling all NAFI members! We need your help at EAA AirVenture 2026. We’re looking for volunteers for booth support, setup, and teardown at Booth 354. Support the association, meet fellow instructors, and help represent NAFI. Your time and dedication drive our mission, and we truly appreciate it.
NAFI Professional Development Center Schedule
JULY 20-25, 2026
Located at booth 354
MONDAY, JULY 20TH
8:00-8:45am
No session
9:00-9:45am
MOSAIC: Flight Training, Testing, and Pilot Privilege Effects
Jason Blair
10:00-10:45am
Bridging the Transition: Teaching Pilots to Fly Beyond the Cessna 172
Gregory Ratcliff
11:00-11:45am
Legally Right, Fatally Wrong: The Hidden Dangers Inside the Rules
Brian Schiff
12:00-12:45pm
Making an Informed IFR Weather Go/No Go Decision
Dean Jones
13:00-13:45pm
Teaching Aircraft Systems: Making the Complex Click
Howard Greenberg
TUESDAY, JULY 21ST
8:00-8:45am
The Well-Being Briefing: Peer Support in the Aviation Community
Paul Prim and Brian Wynne
9:00-9:45am
Updates on Part 141 Modernization
Lee Collins
10:00-10:45am
From Certification to Confidence: Building CFIs Ready to Teach
Chris Sorenson
11:00-11:45am
Forget the Ball, Manage the Yaw
Derek Lawless
12:00-12:45pm
Safety Management System – An Effective Safety Path Forward
Terry Lutz
13:00-13:45pm
Straight Talk About Safety
John and Martha King
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22ND
8:00-8:45am
VFR to IMC: Decision Making Before the Accident Begins
Ean Sugarman
9:00-9:45am
The Last 20%: Using Metacognition to Break Training Plateaus
Brenda Hanson
10:00-10:45am
Caution: Helicopter Wake Turbulence
Ned Parks
11:00-11:45am
Checkride Chat: Master Your Checkride
Wally Mulhearn & Jason Bolz
12:00-12:45pm
IFR Autopilot: Mastery, Not Minimums
Gary Reeves
13:00-13:45pm
Weather or Not to Fly
Jeff Arnold
THURSDAY, JULY 23RD
8:00-8:45am
NAFI Breakfast
9:00-9:45am
NAFI Breakfast
10:00-10:45am
DPE Panel Discussion
Moderator: Karen Kalishek
11:00-11:45am
The First 25 Hours: Getting it Right the First Time
Jason Miller
12:00-12:45pm
The Pro Pilot Trap: When Experience Becomes a Risk
Chris Bogan
13:00-13:45pm
Slips and Skids: Practice One, Avoid the Other
Carolina Anderson
FRIDAY, JULY 24TH
8:00-8:45am
Angle-of-Attack Panel Discussion
Moderator: Karen Kalishek
9:00-9:45am
Updates and Safety Data from the FAA
Everette Rochon
10:00-10:45am
Checklists So Basic, Yet So Misused
Phil Mandel
11:00-11:45am
Beyond the Checkride: Training Pilots Who Can Handle the Pressure Emily Meldrum
12:00-12:45pm
Smarter Training, Lower Costs: How to Help Students Train for Less Greg Reverdiau
13:00-13:45pm
Using VR to Accelerate Flight Training
Jim Carroll
SATURDAY, JULY 25TH
8:00-8:45am
No session
9:00-9:45am
So, You Want to Be a Flight Instructor
Robert Meder
10:00-10:45am
Automation Complacency: Teaching Pilots to Own the Aircraft Again
Sean Parsons
11:00-11:45am
Energy Management: How to Teach a Stabilized Approach
Fred Sweet
12:00-12:45pm
No session
13:00-13:45pm
No session
NAFI Member Breakfast
Thursday July 23, 2026
8:00 – 9:45 AM
Join us Thursday morning for the NAFI Member Breakfast — one of the highlights of AirVenture week. Grab a coffee and a bite while catching up with fellow instructors, hearing the latest from NAFI leadership, and celebrating the best in the profession at our annual awards ceremony. It’s a great way to start the day and connect with the community that keeps aviation education moving forward.
Network with fellow instructors and friends at EAA AirVenture 2026
Celebrating Member Achievement
at Airventure 2026
Flight Instructor Hall of Fame Award
Celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation education and flight instruction while reflecting credit upon themselves and their profession. This honor highlights the important role flight instructors play as a foundation for the safety of the entire national air transportation system.
Jack J. Eggspuehler Award
The Jack J. Eggspuehler Award, named for the NAFI founder, is the highest honor that NAFI bestows. The award is given to deserving members, industry leaders, and/or organizations that have performed great services for NAFI in benefit of its members. This award must be voted on by the NAFI Board of Directors by two thirds majority and is traditionally awarded at the NAFI Breakfast at EAA AirVenture.
Greg J. Laslo Excellence in Writing Award
The Greg J. Laslo Excellence in Writing Award is NAFI’s recognition of outstanding contributions by members, industry leaders, and/or organizations to NAFI publications such as Mentor and eMentor. The award is named for former editor Greg J. Laslo.
Dr. Victor G. Vogel Award
In recognition of his dedication and service, the NAFI Board of Directors has unanimously approved the establishment of the Dr. Victor G. Vogel Award for Mentorship, Wellness Advocacy, and Lifetime Aviation Service. This award will be given to the aviation professional who exemplifies those qualities shown by Victor. It will be awarded at the discretion of the board, reviewed on an annual basis.
