John Niehaus

John earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Flight Science and Aviation Administration from Western Michigan University. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with multi-engine land and multiple type ratings, including the Gulfstream G‑VII (2023). He also holds commercial single‑engine and flight instructor certificates with instrument ratings. His experience spans flight instruction under Parts 61 and 141, and crew operations under Parts 121 and 135, where he served as a Part 135 training captain on the Lear 45 and Lear 75.

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John served as the Program Director for the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). During this tenure, he contributed to the Master CFI program and provided content for NAFI’s Mentor Magazine and the eMentor Newsletter. He managed the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame, Eggspuhler Award, and Laslo Award. He also participated in and helped organize many events.

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John is credited with creating the NAFI NOTAMs Blog, the Legacy Master Program, the Professional Development Program, and the Special Interest Groups. He co-created the Professional Development Center and MentorLIVE,

 

Today, John works for a Fortune 500 corporate flight department, flying comprehensive global operations. He has a passion for aviation outreach, utilizing his past NAFI and corporate platforms to mentor and speak with young future aviation professionals at local high schools and universities with an aviation focus.

 

This year, John partnered with yoga and meditation expert Gita Brown to launch “The Calm Cockpit” (www.calmcockpit.com), a company and podcast exploring how modern stress-reduction, well-being, and mental training techniques can enhance pilot performance, training, and safety.