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SAFE eNews - August 7, 2010
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AIRVENTURE DEBRIEFING

An Amazing Convention for SAFE
 
Prime Location Boosts Visibility, Activity
Group Joins SAFE

Thanks to sponsorship from Lightspeed Aviation, this year's tent at AirVenture represented a quantum leap over last year's digs. Located in the shadow of the control tower and abeam the FAA Building, the tent was spacious and inviting. The prominence of our corner location resulted not only in lots of foot traffic through the tent, but also in visits from many prominent FAA and industry people.

Plans are already underway for numerous improvements next year. Watch for announcements regarding several news items and exciting opportunities stemming from SAFE's presence at AirVenture.


107 Memberships Purchased during AirVenture
 
Includes 82 New SAFE Members
Joining SAFE at AirVenture

by Doug Stewart - SAFE essentially doubled the number of memberships sold in Oshkosh this year compared to last year. The mix of 82 new and 25 renewing members included four of SAFE's new Apprentice-level Memberships and a dozen Supporting Memberships ranging from $100 Bronze to $500 Gold Memberships.

My concern that the wet and soggy pre-AirVenture conditions would reduce attendance quickly evaporated as it became obvious that we would break previous records. Purchasers of memberships took advantage of AirVenture premiums offered by SAFE partners Gleim, ASA, Jeppesen, and Sporty's. A free copy of Michael Leighton's book, "Things My Flight Instructor Never Told Me" was also included with each membership, and a limited supply of products by Rod Machado were given away as well.


SAFE Rolls Out CFI Liability Insurance Program
 
Lou Wipotnik Buys the First Policy
Wipotnik with STARR

SAFE used AirVenture to launch its premier flight instructor insurance program. The program includes coverage for flight instruction, checkouts, and checkrides in ASEL, AMEL, ASES, Glider, LSA, and experimental aircraft. The SAFE insurance plan provides discounts that could add up to 25% off the annual premium by rewarding instructors who participate in the Master Instructor Program (administered by Master Instructors LLC), those who participate in the FAA Wings Program, and those who are claims free. Qualified members can also finance their premium payments.

Master Instructor Lou Wipotnik (left in the photo) of Mount Prospect, IL became the first member to enroll in SAFE's brand new insurance program. The 1996 National Flight Instructor of the Year, Wiptonik qualified for all of the additional discounts available to members under the SAFE plan. According to Wipotnik, "I was really impressed with the details of this insurance program." He added, "I'm now receiving more comprehensive coverage than the plan I had been using, yet with a lower annual premium!" Wipotnik paid an annual premium of $490 for this plan compared to $600 for a comparable plan offered through another organization.

Complete news release...


SAFE Representatives Attend CFI Briefing
 
Audience of Predominantly SAFE Members

Approximately 50 people attended a special CFI Briefing held by EAA President Tom Poberezny during AirVenture. SAFE members comprised at least 25% percent of the audience as Poberezny repeatedly mentioned SAFE by name in his remarks. The gist of the briefing: Moving forward, Poberezny and EAA are committed to working with and supporting all flight instructors on issues of mutual interest.


150 Participate in Second Annual Dinner-Meeting
 
"We're Gonna Need a Bigger Terminal!"
AirVenture Food Line

SAFE members, supporters, and special guests gathered at the Wittman Regional Airport Terminal on July 29th for a fantastic catered Italian dinner sponsored by Sporty's, ASA, Starr Aviation Solutions, and Aviation Insurance Resources. Participation grew 50% over last year's event. The dinner-meeting began at 6:30 PM with a leisurely meal, followed by the membership meeting, then a trivia game for door prizes provided by enflight.com (a one year subscription valued at $100) and Gold Seal Online Ground School. The event adjourned just after 9:00 PM.

Eight of SAFE's nine Directors mingled with the crowd. Recently elected Director Cliff Chetwin officially began his term, replacing outgoing Director Pat Knight on the Board. Airport Operations Manager John Dorcey (also a SAFE Director) and his staff did another outstanding job preparing the meeting area. John quipped, "If the trend keeps up, we're going to need a bigger terminal next year!"

More photos...


Members Honored during Dinner-Meeting
 
Imperative to Recognize Contributions

by Doug Stewart - SAFE is driven by the contributions of many volunteer-members. Our annual dinner gives us the opportunity to recognize those whose contributions have gone above and beyond the call of duty. I was particularly happy to present Brian Robbins with the Founders Award for selfless service in support of the Mission and Vision of our organization. Brian overcame numerous obstacles to provide up-to-the-minute membership database information without complaint. He truly epitomizes the concept of selfless service!

I was also happy to present Pat Knight with the Service Award for her marvelous work as Secretary of our Charter Board of Directors. Pat has stepped down from her duties on the Board; her contributions to SAFE, however, will be continuing as she takes on other responsibilities.

Prizes were also awarded for the winners of the 2010 GaMe Plan Membership Drive as follows:

  • Jeffrey Robert Moss - top recruiter, Zulu ANR Headset
  • Rod Machado - second place, Garmin Nuvi 765T Car GPS
  • Michael Phillips - third place, Ultimate FIRC Package
  • Mark Adams - random drawing, AirClassics Headset

News release... List of GaMe Plan recruiters...


James Douglas Inducted as Honorary Member
 
Aerospace Exec is Son of Donald Douglas
James Dougls with SAFE Members

James Douglas was inducted as SAFE's second Honorary Member during this year's AirVenture. Douglas led the development of some of the most recognizable transport aircraft of all time, including the DC-8, DC-9, and DC-10, retiring from McDonnell Douglas in 1991. Together with his brother, he formed Douglas International Group, an airline industry management and technology firm to assist in the development of new security and automation systems.

Douglas (seated to the right in the photo) visited the SAFE tent and chatted with members. More...


A Tribute to Volunteers
 
"Member-Driven" Means Just That

by Doug Stewart - As you can imagine, a tremendous amount of time and energy is expended in the pre- and post-phases of major events like AirVenture. And an equal amount of volunteer resources are condensed into the actual and sometimes grueling days of the event itself. By the end, many are often running on pure adrenaline.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and offer my sincere gratitude to those who stood out throughout the week: to Vice Chairman Mark Adams, who was there from the very beginning of the tent set-up to the break-down on the last day, whose enthusiasm and energy never waned and who was always there to "cover my six"; to Director Alan Davis, who never left the tent save for the occasional moment to tend to personal needs, whose arm must be sore from constantly imprinting credit cards; to Sandy Hill who schlepped the dozen, 20-pound bags of ice and 16 cases of bottled water to keep exhibit goers refreshed, and was always ready and willing to run the needed errand; to JoAnn Hill who arranged all the "perks" for new and renewing members and who served as "house mother" at the SAFE house; to Director Tom Benenson, there from set-up to break-down as well as always being willing to run an errand; to John Dorcey, who not only ensured the smooth transformation of a significant portion of the Wittman Terminal into a first-class dining/meeting facility, but also provided the crucially needed logistical support to set up, equip, and break down the tent; to Rich Stowell, who kept coming up with great suggestions; to Glenna Blackwell, who not only designed and produced our great banners, flutter flags, and printed materials, but who also helped open and close the tent on a daily basis.

To Janet Archibald who also helped open and close the tent and who provided much needed dual instruction in the proper operation of a credit card imprinter; to Director Donna Wilt and her husband Dennis, who not only helped open the tent, but spent many hours visiting the exhibits of numerous other organizations, institutions and businesses spreading the SAFE word; and to Rose Dorcey, our dinner-meeting photographer.

I would also like to thank all those members who served one or more shifts in the SAFE booth: Bill Castlen; Mike Coligny; Peter Dunn; David Dempsey; Gordon Ewald; Mike Garrison; Tony Johnstone; Jeffrey "MossY" Moss; Bob Spera; Jack Vandeventer; Russ Still; Lou Wipotnik; and Nathan Zucker. To these and all our other volunteers, a heartfelt THANK YOU!


Carolyn Sharp Wins Zulu Headset Giveaway
 
Eric Basile Earns the Highest Score with 90%
Taking the Communications Quiz

Carolyn Sharp of Troy, Michigan, won the Lightspeed Zulu ANR headset in a random drawing of those who scored at least 70% on the SAFE-Lightspeed Communications Quiz during AirVenture. The highest score achieved was 90% by member Eric Basile.

Challenge yourself; take the quiz now. Already taken the quiz? Here are answers with explanations.


Industry-Wide Interest in SAFE
 
Meetings Held with FAA and Industry Leaders

by Doug Stewart - Throughout the week I had the opportunity to meet with several individuals from the FAA and industry to discuss a variety of topics of mutual concern. In a meeting with Kevin Clover (FAASTeam National Program Manager) for example, we discussed ways that SAFE can help revamp and reinvigorate the CFI/DPE workshop program, while at the same time introducing meaningful content to reduce the fatal accident rate.

In speaking with Mike Adams, VP of underwriting for Avemco Insurance, we discussed how Avemco and SAFE could work together towards the common goals of better trained pilots, fewer accidents, and more people active in aviation. We spoke of creating a database consisting of SAFE CFI specialists who could aid in that endeavor by aircraft make and model.

I also had the opportunity to talk at length with Dr. Bill Rhoades, who leads the Airman Education Research Initiative (AERI) doing research to uncover patterns in pilot attitudes that may predict mishaps. We looked at ways that SAFE can assist his research.

Lastly, I had numerous discussions regarding how SAFE can work with others in the aviation industry to have a meaningful impact on improving the quality of flight instruction and thus, effectively reduce what has been a flat-line fatal accident rate.


SAFE Sponsors GA Awards Program
 
GA Award Winners Presented with Memberships

In addition to providing financial support for the General Aviation Awards Program, SAFE Chair Doug Stewart presented each of the four national award winners with a one-year, Gold-level Membership that included a monogrammed SAFE polo shirt, SAFE hat, and SAFE member ID card during the GA Awards Luncheon held on July 29th. This year's national winners:

  • Jeffrey Robert Moss, Flight Instructor of the Year
  • Thomas P. Turner, FAASTeam Representative of the Year
  • Neil Nederfield, Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year
  • Kirk H. Peterson, Avionics Technician of the Year

Congratulations on your achievements and welcome to SAFE!


SAFE Chair Interviewed for EAA TV
 
Screenshot of TV Interview

Other Exciting SAFE News
 
We've Sure Got a Lot Going On

  • View the results of the SAFE Mentoring Survey
  • SAFE now has a Wikipedia page
  • SAFE now has an Awards & Recipients page that also includes a nominating form
  • SAFE member Michael Gaffney has been named the new director of F.I.T. Aviation LLC in Melbourne, FL. More...
  • SAFE member Rose Dorcey recently launched her own aviation writing, marketing, and consulting company called "SkyWord LLC"
  • 2003 & 2005 National Flight Instructors of the Year Kirby Ortega & John Teipen joined SAFE during AirVenture
    • Note: thirteen National CFIs of the Year are now members of SAFE, including the last nine consecutive award winners!
  • AirVenture Podcasts Featuring SAFE:


On the Horizon
 
More News and Announcements to Come

  • AOPA Summit, Long Beach, CA, November 11-13, 2010: SAFE members will be presenting seminars and gathering for an informal meeting. SAFE Chair Doug Stewart has also been invited to participate in a day-long symposium hosted by AOPA prior to Summit to address ways to combat student pilot attrition.
  • SAFE YouTube Channel: Watch for the debut of our YouTube Channel featuring a SAFE promo video produced by member Russ Still.


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Copyright SAFE, Inc. 2010. All Rights Reserved.


Have a SAFE Day!

Digital Signature
Doug Stewart, Chair
Society of Aviation and Flight Educators

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