Clemson University’s Flying Club Senior Instructor Awarded FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award

Gregg Whitt, senior flight instructor for Clemson University's Flying Club, was recently honored with the Federal Aviation Administration's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. The FAA's most prestigious honor, the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recognizes individuals who have achieved 50 years of safe piloting experience.

Whitt earned his pilot certificate when he was an 18-year-old high school senior, just prior to enrolling at Clemson University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in administrative management. He would later go on to earn commercial and instructor pilot ratings, as well as certified flight instructor licensure - accumulating over 8,000 hours of flight time. He accomplished these feats while serving as president of Professional Personnel Associates, Inc., a national recruiting firm he operated with his wife of 47 years, Shirley.

As a flight instructor, Whitt has taught over 300 students, helping them achieve their dreams of flying for recreation, military and business. His students shared that what makes him an exceptional instructor is that beyond teaching the critical skills needed for flying, Whitt also helps instill confidence in their own abilities.

"When students first begin flying, nervousness is common, resulting in overcontrolling the airplane," says Joe Ryan, faculty adviser for the Flying Club. "Gregg's combination of subject matter expertise and calm approach to teaching helps learners quickly gain the skills and confidence needed to be safe and proficient pilots. More importantly, he stresses safety across every aspect of flying, starting with a thorough pre-flight briefing to post-flight actions."

Whitt is the epitome of Clemson University's Flying Club's focus on aviation safety and risk management. Despite years of experience, his focus always remains on safety. This focus by Whitt and other instructors has helped Clemson University's Flying Club (CUFC) approach a century of safe flying. The club was established back in 1927, when a group of engineering students first got together to build their own airplane.

More information on the Flying Club is available on TigerQuest and Facebook.