FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SUN ‘n FUN Lakeland, FL April 3, 2025 – Collin McDonald is the 2025 recipient of the King Schools/NAFI Flight Instructor Scholarship. The scholarship was officially presented at the 2025 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, and provides McDonald with $5,000 cash to further his flight instructor training, lifetime access to King Schools’ extensive course library (valued at $15,000), and lifetime access to Flight Instructor Refresher Courses (FIRCs).
McDonald, a dedicated aviation educator and mentor, serves as a professor at Middle Tennessee State University Department of Aerospace (MTSU), where he trains future aviators in both the classroom and the cockpit. A first-generation pilot, his passion for aviation began at the age of 15 and has grown into a career spanning flight instruction, aircraft maintenance, and aviation safety education. McDonald holds a Master of Science in Aeronautical Sciences and has earned recognition from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the University Aviation Association (UAA) for his contributions to aviation education.
McDonald’s essay for the scholarship detailed his journey from earning his certificates and ratings, to his work as a CFI, maintenance technician, and university instructor. His career has been marked by an unwavering dedication to providing mentorship and supporting aviation safety, including speaking engagements at EAA AirVenture and NAFI Summit.
McDonald plans to use the scholarship funds to obtain his Certificated Flight Instructor – Glider (CFI-G) rating, further enhancing his ability to teach energy management and other critical flight concepts. “Much of my aviation training has been self-financed, from mowing lawns as a teenager to working multiple jobs,” McDonald shared in his application. “When I became a flight instructor, I realized how much I loved learning and watching others learn. Almost all my peers are sitting right seat at a regional or in a corporate job, going down the traditional path. I obviously don’t have anything against that, but I don’t want to go to an airline. I want my lasting mark on aviation to be the high-quality instruction that I give on a day-to-day basis over at least the next 30 years,” McDonald concluded.
National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) President Paul Preidecker praised McDonald’s contributions to the aviation community, stating, “NAFI extends our thanks and congratulations to Collin McDonald as the recipient of the King Schools NAFI Scholarship. A popular speaker at EAA AirVenture and NAFI Summit, Collin is a friend and colleague in the industry. By being a strong advocate for aviation safety and training, his positive impact is an example for others to follow.”
John and Martha King, Co-Chairs of King Schools, expressed their excitement about McDonald’s selection this way, “Collin exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated flight instructor. His passion for aviation education, combined with his commitment to developing the next generation of pilots is contagious. We want to do everything we can to ensure that future aviators are not just moving quickly through their certifications. We want them to gain a true understanding and passion for flying. We firmly believe that Collin shares that goal with us.”
The King Schools NAFI Flight Instructor Scholarship is awarded annually to a NAFI member who holds at least a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating, or a CFI certificate. The scholarship is designed to support dedicated flight instructors in their pursuit of additional training and professional development.
For more information about King Schools and the NAFI Flight Instructor Scholarship, visit www.KingSchools.com or https://nafimentor.org/ .
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