Karen Kalishek
Host
Karen Kalishek, the NAFI Board Chair, is an independent CFI for private flight instructor powered and glider candidates, in a range of aircraft including J-3 Cubs and Cirrus. She is a Major in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), serving as a volunteer CFI, G1000 instructor, check pilot, mission pilot, cadet orientation pilot, and is an officer for safety, aerospace education, public affairs, and special flight release. She serves as a member of the WINGS Industry Network, COPA, and is active in several other aviation organizations. Karen is the 2019 National FAASTeam Representative of the year.
ELIXIR AIRCRAFT - SPONSOR
www.elixir-aircraft.com Elixir Aircraft was created on the idea of designing a new generation part 23 aircraft that meets the challenges of tomorrow's light aviation. Since 2015, Elixir Aircraft has pursued a simple objective: to offer more versatile, safer, and more economical aircraft by providing relevant, modern, and innovative answers to the recurring problems encountered by light aviation.
Elixir Aircraft is born from a basic observation: complexity is the main source of failures (technical or human) in today's aviation. Exacerbated by an aging aircraft fleet, this complexity is also very expensive in terms of operating costs (fuel & maintenance). To respond to this, Elixir Aircraft has introduced the OneShot carbon process in the design of its aircraft, a technology derived from competitive sailing, allowing it to greatly simplify the structure. More simplicity means fewer areas of failure, therefore, safer; this significantly reduces operating costs (40$/h estimated in fuel and maintenance).
In continuous growth since its creation, Elixir Aircraft now employs more than 90 employees on 2 sites in La Rochelle, France.
KAREN KALISHEK - HOST Karen is the NAFI Board Chair, a Designated Pilot Examiner, three time NAFI Master Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI, CFI-G, AGI, IGI, FAA Gold Seal Instructor and FAASTeam Lead Representative. She teaches in a range of aircraft and enjoys flying her own RV6. Karen is a Major in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), serves as a member of the WINGS Industry Network, contributes to the FAA Surface Safety Group, is an FAA Safety Team Lead Representative, and is active in several other aviation organizations.
Karen is the 2019 National FAASTeam Representative of the year. She became active in aviation after success as a senior VP in the banking sector, as a graduate school professor, and as president of her own international consulting business.