National Association of Flight Instructors Honors Eagle Professor

Samantha Bowyer, an associate professor in the Department of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus, was recently honored with the 2024 Jack J. Eggspuehler Award from The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).

Bowyer joined the committee of members and industry partners planning the original NAFI Summit, held in 2023, in Lakeland, Florida. With degrees in business and project management, Bowyer offered considerable assistance in organizing the event. With a deep commitment to student outreach and support, particularly to the flight training community at Embry-Riddle, she dedicated her time and resources to ensure the summit was a success.

“Samantha has become a good friend and a colleague of ours in a relatively short time,” said NAFI President Paul Preidecker at the recent NAFI awards ceremony at EAA AirVenture. “If we go back to the original summit, I knew we would need some help putting it all together. Samantha made her presence known, was willing to help and was responsible for driving our path to success.”

The Eggspuehler award, named after a NAFI founder who served as its president for more than 30 years, is the association’s highest honor. The award annually highlights a member, industry leader or organization that has performed outstanding service to NAFI for the benefit of its members. 

“I’m flattered and honored to receive the namesake award of the NAFI founder,” said Bowyer, who recently finished her Ph.D. “Aviation education is close to my heart, and I’m happy to be a small contributor to the industry.”

NAFI provides resources to all flight educators, serving instructors and training providers, prospective pilots and the greater aviation industry. It is the largest association dedicated exclusively to flight instruction, with a membership of more than 8,000 training professionals, For more information on NAFI, visit nafinet.org.

Posted In: Aviation