Source: Andrew "Drew" Smith, 785-826-2682, atsmith@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Holly Williams, 785-826-2642, publicrelations@salina.k-state.edu

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

K-STATE AT SALINA'S DREW SMITH EARNS MASTER CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR DESIGNATION

SALINA -- Andrew "Drew" Smith, assistant professor of aviation and the aviation maintenance training program lead at Kansas State University at Salina, has earned Master Certified Flight Instructor designation for the first time.

Smith is the sixth instructor in K-State at Salina's aviation program to earn the distinction. He also is one of only 19 Master Certified Flight Instructors in Kansas.

Fewer than 700 of the approximately 93,000 certified flight instructors in the nation have achieved the master designation.

Smith, who served in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves, has a bachelor's in aviation science from the College of the Ozarks and a master's in aviation safety from University of Central Missouri. A Federal Aviation Administration certified mechanic with airframe and power plant ratings, he is authorized to perform inspections.