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Valley pilot reaches rare height as flight instructor
NORTH LIMA
Independent flight instructor Andrew Marinelli is a rarity in the aviation community.
The pilot received his accreditation as a master certified flight instructor for the fifth time.
The MCFI is among the six designations provided by Master Instructors LLC through its master instructor continuing- education program. The designation is renewed every two years.
Only 27 worldwide have achieved the honor five times.
Marinelli said it’s rewarding to bring new pilots into the community.
“I’m really passionate about teaching,” he said. “It’s just phenomenal to see what these young people accomplished.”
Marinelli started his aviation career in 1993, when he received his private pilot certificate and instrument rating through Crosswood Aviation at Youngstown Elser Metro Airport on Sharrott Road. An instrument rating allows a pilot to fly in reference to a plane’s instruments in the cockpit when flying visually is not safe.
He received further licenses at the New Castle Municipal Airport through Haski Aviation, including his commercial pilot certificate and licenses to do flight instruction.
Marinelli received the MCFI accreditation for the first time in 2006 and works as a flight instructor for Precision Aviation at the privately owned Elser Metro Airport.
“He’s top-notch,” said John Gilchrist, owner of Precision Aviation.
Gilchrist said Marinelli is a great instructor, known for his promptness, professionalism and precision with his students.
“We just don’t let anybody in the planes to instruct,” Gilchrist said.
Marinelli said he and other local pilots have a safety mentality when it comes to flying.
“What you’ll find in the aviation community is incredible people,” he said.
Among his pupils is David Dunch, a colorectal surgeon and aviation medical examiner at the Surgical Hospital at Southwoods in Boardman. Dunch received instruction from Marinelli for his instrument rating 10 years ago.
“He’s an excellent instructor,” he said. “He’s able to instruct it to make it fun.”
There are 98,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 800 of them have achieved the professional distinction of MCFI, with Marinelli among 41 Ohio flight instructors who have received the accreditation.
Overall, Marinelli said he feels blessed every time he is up in the air. “It never gets old,” he said.