NATA Recognizes Excellence in Pilot Training
NATA is extremely pleased to recognize an individual or organization for outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.
2025 Winner | Paul “B.J.” Ransbury, CEO of Aviation Performance Solutions (APS)
For most private pilots starting out, and throughout much of their flying days, they are taught basic upset recovery skills—usually enough for them to have a cursory knowledge of how to handle the unexpected and pass a checkride.
Formal Upset Prevention and Recovery Training may not be on every pilot’s proficiency list, but as we are all lifetime learners, it’s definitely instruction to consider.
“Planning for worst case scenarios trains us for two things: how to recover from these situations and—as important if not more—how to avoid them,” explained Paul “B.J.” Ransbury, CEO of Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) in Mesa, Arizona. For more than 25 years and 180,000 trained pilots later, APS and its programs have been guided by a simple, yet powerful principle: “We Help Pilots Bring Everyone Home Safely.”
Ransbury’s fierce commitment to pilot safety, training, and proficiency has earned him the 2025 NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award, recognizing “an individual or organization for outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.”
Current Recipient
2025 – Paul “B.J.” Ransbury, CEO, Aviation Performance Solutions (APS)
Past Recipients
2024 – Stan McDuffie, Director of Operations and Flight Instructor, SunEx Aviation
2023 – Summit Aviation
2021/2022 – Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Flight Instructor, Paragon Flight Training
2019 – Todd Shellnut, CFI, Academy Standardization Manager, ATP Flight School
2018 – Western Michigan University College of Aviation
2017 – Janine Schwahn, Chief Instructor, Summit Aviation
2016 – Denis M. Arbeau, Manager of Training, Solairus Aviation
2015 – Ben Gabriel, Director of Training, ATP Flight School
2014 – Eric Walter, Chief Pilot, Primary Trainer, and Check Airman, Bemidji Aviation Services
2013 – Mike Paulson, Flight School Manager, Fargo Jet Center
2012 – Vinny Billisi, Vice President and Director of Operations, Airborne Systems Flight Training
2011 – Superior Flight School
2010 – William M. Hays, Owner, ATD Flight Systems LLC
2009 – Arlynn McMahon, Vice President, Aero-Tech, Inc.
2008 – William Griggs, Sr., Co-Owner, Aviation Facilities, Inc.
2007 – Susan Parson, Special Assistant, General Aviation and Commercial Division, FAA
2006 – Michael G. Gaffney, President, Skyline Aeronautics, LLC
2005 – Alex Unruh, Cessna Aircraft Company
2004 – Dr. Tim Brady, Dean, College of Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2003 – John King, King Schools, Inc.
2002 – Dick Skovgaard, Flight Safety Academy (Vero Beach)
2001 – Irvin N. Gleim
2000 – Jim Hackman, Regional Manager, Cessna Pilot Centers
1999 – Frasca International, Inc.
1998 – Gregory (Greg) Brown, aviation consultant and writer
1997 – Phil Poyner, Manager, Nassau Flyers, Inc.
1996 – Rick Amber, founder of Challenge Air for Kids & Friends
1995 – Nancy Grazzini-Olson, President, Thunderbird Aviation
1994 – Flight Training Magazine
1993 –
1992 – Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
1991 – Albert A. Schnur, Chief Flight Instructor, Chester County Aviation, Inc.
1990 – Dawn Aeronautics, Inc.
1989 – Bolivar Aviation International School of Aeronautics
1988 – Robert G. Carter, Director of Flight Instructor Department, AOPA Air Safety Foundation
1987 – Gary B. Vander Veen, Chief Pilot, Tulip City Air Service, Inc.