Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
ADAM MAGEE - National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year
Adam Magee of Swisher, Iowa is the 2024 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year. Adam is an aviation professional who, through the Balloon Training Academy, teaches over 100 students per year and runs Lighter than Air (LTA) webinars. His aviation experience includes flight instruction, check ride prep, and instruction in Private and Commercial Ground School.
He has organized annual safety seminars, designed private and commercial training syllabi, and created an online flight instructor refresher course for balloon instructors and the Elite Balloon Instructor program.
Adam is an LTA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) for the Des Moines FSDO. He holds multiple FAA Basic, Advanced, and Master WINGS. Adam is a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) Board of Directors. He serves as the Treasurer, and Finance Committee Chair for the association. He was the 2021 General Aviation Awards National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year.
MARTY KING - National FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year
Marty King of Elkhart is the 2024 National Aviation Technician of the Year. He overhauled his first engine at age 15 and built his first airplane in high school. He received his A&P and IA and established a GA service, restoration, and fabric shop, King Aero, Inc., in 1991.
In 2017, Marty started an A&P intern program with Andrews University followed by training programs at Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University, and Purdue University. As a FAASTeam Rep, Marty stays abreast of new technologies while conducting seminars. In 2023 and 2024, he received the AMT of the Year award for Michigan and Northern Indiana and the Charles M. Taylor 50-year Master Mechanic’s Award.
Marty is developing a STEM program, STAY Indiana.org, to teach 13-18-year-old students how to build a plane. After completion, students fly the airplane they built. For participating in the program, they receive high school credit.
CARY GRANT - National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year
Cary Grant of Cave Creek, Arizona, is the 2024 FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year. Cary has been an FAASTeam Representative since 2009, Lead Representative, WINGSPro, professor, and flight instructor. He co-hosts quarterly CFI open Forums and conducts FAASTeam WINGS Seminars. He is Assistant Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Arizona Aviation Safety Advisory Group president. Grant is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, instructing in T-37s, C-141 Starlifter transport, and Gulfstream G-IIIs. He worked with NATO’s Operations Research Branch. He has a CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, and ATP ratings, plus USAF instructor and examiner positions.
After Cary's military career, he completed a civilian career with United Airlines as Captain, flying Boeing and Airbus aircraft. He then discovered General Aviation, the FAA Safety Team, and the WINGS program. He is a FAASTeam Lead Representative, and volunteers with ASAG, Young Eagles, Navajo Airlift, and Sky Kids.
RON TIMMERMANS - Host
Ron earned his Private Pilot Certificate in 1972 and went on to add Comm, Instrument, CFI/MEI, ATP, and Remote Pilot. Shortly after his CFI, a he became a Beechcraft Pilot Proficiency Program Ground and Flight Instructor. He currently has 9,050 total time with 5,290 dual instruction given.
Ron is the 2021 FAA National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year, and was selected by AOPA as a ground instructor for the ‘Rusty Pilots’ program. He now makes presentations to long inactive pilots encouraging their return to flight. Additionally, Ron was inducted in the 2022 Flight Instructor Hall of Fame. Ron is a FAASTeam Lead Representative giving monthly presentations on GA safety topics. He has given many Young Eagle rides, authored training curriculum, and developed flight instructor standardization guides, published articles, and served in leadership positions on the American Bonanza Society Board of Directors.
