The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has announced Boots as the winner of the Greg J. Laslo Excellence in Writing Award. This award is presented to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to NAFI publications through content in Mentor magazine, eMentor digital newsletter, NAFI NOTAMs blog, and other industry outlets. The award was presented at the annual member breakfast, on July 28 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Boots has written multiple articles for Mentor magazine covering topics such as flight maneuvers, the teaching process, and the responsibilities of flight instructors. His expertise in these areas and many others help assure that NAFI’s publications meet the highest standards in journalism.
Boots is his full name, not a nickname. He was born and raised in Hollywood, California, which he said is usually enough of an explanation. Boots earned his private pilot certificate in 1968, and his instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings several years later. He went on to earn his CFI, CFII, and multi-engine CFI ratings about 20 years ago and has also been an A&P/IA mechanic for about 25 years, but has never flown or worked on airplanes for a living.
Most of his flying was based at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) and he owned a Cardinal RG for a decade. He has flown in many parts of the world, including Central America, Africa, and Europe. Boots raced motorcycles as an AMA professional road racer and still street rides. Over the years, he has built several successful companies. Boots was on the Rare Bear racing team (when it was winning, he points out) at the Reno National Championship Air Races. He is still active as a flight instructor and lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“Boots is an incredibly prolific writer who has a passion for sharing his stories, experiences, and expertise with fellow flight instructors,” said Beth Stanton, NAFI’s Director of Publications and Editor. “NAFI members have greatly benefitted from his engagement and dedication to sharing his tribal knowledge with the NAFI community.”
“The most important thing I have learned as a CFI is how little I knew before I started instructing,” Boots said.
