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SAFE represents more than 500 of the industry's top aviation educators, including numerous local and national General Aviation Award winners in the flight instruction, aviation maintenance, avionics, and FAA Safety Team categories. SAFE is also chairing the Pilot Training Reform Symposium in Atlanta, GA on May 4-5, 2011.
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SAFE Responds to Photo ID NPRM
| | Mulit-Part Answer Submitted to Four Government Entities
SAFE has submitted a detailed response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), Photo Requirements for Pilot Certificates (Docket No. FAA-2010-1127; Notice No. 2010-16). The response, prepared by SAFE member Robert Hadow, an instructor and owner of Best in Flight, was delivered to four government entities: Federal Aviation Administration; Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (Office of Management and Budget); Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Provided government projections are accurate, the rulemaking could cost $210 every time a new certificate is issued, including every time flight instructors renew their CFIs. In a survey conducted by SAFE, 97% of respondents oppose the NPRM (83% strongly oppose); 92% believe the added cost would have a negative impact on CFIs (86% highly negative); and 89% believe the added cost would result in fewer pilots seeking advanced certifications, with 80% concerned that this could have a negative impact on aviation safety. SAFE has provided specific objections to the NPRM as well as alternative solutions. The critical recommendation made was to discontinue the proposal altogether, or at least to delay it until the FAA has developed a workable business process for issuance of airmen certificates that is secure and cost effective, and that provides operational benefits to airmen and anticipates technological developments.
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Polling All Members!
| | How Important is a Member ID Card to You?
As a volunteer organization, we've discovered that creating and issuing member ID cards has been a highly labor-intensive endeavor. Consequently, SAFE invites you to take a simple, four-question survey to find out how important possessing a SAFE ID card is to the membership and whether or not a printable PDF membership certificate would be an acceptable alternative. Take the Survey Now |
Update: SAFE Mentoring Program
| | Call for Applications for Governing Committee
Applications are now being accepted by the SAFE Board for a few experienced educators to round out the Mentoring Program Governing Committee (MPGC), which will manage SAFE's new Mentoring Program. This first-ever, nationwide effort will provide support, leadership, and professional guidance to aviation educators. The inaugural launch of this industry-anticipated program is close at hand.
Committee members will work alongside Governing Committee Chair Dr. Donna Wilt, a SAFE Director and MCFI, and Chief Mentor Arlynn McMahon, a SAFE Director and 2009 National Flight Instructor of the Year. If you are interested in working on this exciting and important initiative, please email Donna Wilt before February 1, 2011.
Development of the Mentoring Program began last April. Working together with SAFE, Hampton University Department of Aviation received a Wolf Aviation Fund grant to assist with the Program's development.
Apply for the MPGC Now
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SAFE Responds to Helicopter Flight Rules NPRM
| | Substantive Recommendations Offered in 12-page Document
SAFE has submitted a comprehensive response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), Air Ambulance and Commercial Helicopter Operations... (Docket No. FAA-2010-0982; Notice No. 10-13). In addition to input from other members, the principle authors of the response included SAFE members Mike Coligny, a five-time Master Instructor, and Randy Rowles, the country's first Master Instructor-Helicopter and chair of the Helicopter Association International Flight Training Committee. SAFE has offered numerous recommendations in support of and in opposition to aspects of the helicopter NPRM. For example, SAFE supports the mandate that all pilots who conduct Air Medical operations must hold an instrument rating appropriate to the category/class aircraft they fly. On the other hand, SAFE does not believe the FAA should mandate Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS) in lieu of other proven technologies such as Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS, e.g., night vision goggles). |
Members Create NVG Course for FAASTeam
| | Four-Part Program is WINGS-Approved
SAFE members Pat Knight and Russ Still recently developed an online course for the FAA Safety Team entitled, Night Vision Goggles ( NVGs). Night vision technologies can offer great safety enhancements for select nighttime flight operations. If not properly used, however, NVGs have the potential to cause accidents. According to course content creator, Pat Knight, a Master Instructor and DPE, "Operational use of NVGs should be undertaken only after pilots have received extensive ground and in-flight training with the equipment. The new course provides an important part of the overall training required." The presentation incorporates a review of pilot vision with video provided by the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), including details of night vision, impairments of night vision, and principles of dark adaptation. The course explains the basic operation of NVGs, how they increase safety during nighttime missions, how an accident can occur when misusing or failing to use NVGs, the advantages and limitations of NVGs, and the operations, training, and currency requirements from the Code of Federal Regulations. Master Instructor Russ Still of The Gold Seal Aviation Network packaged the course content into the final product for use by the FAA Safety Team. The NVG course is divided into four parts: Introduction, Section One-Video, Section Two-Course Material, and Review/Exam. The course is available at FAASafety.gov.
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Touch and Go's
| | Recent News Bits from Around the Industry
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Recent Master Instructor Designations
| | Congratulations to These SAFE Members
Terry Brandt, Avondale, AZ -- 6-time MCFI
Mike Cassady, Arlington, TX -- Country's 2nd MCFI-H
Michael Maya Charles, Erie, CO -- Initial MCFI
James Hilliard, Lincoln, NE -- 2-time MCFI
Andrew Marinelli, Youngstown, OH -- 4-time MCFI
Jelica Matic, Honolulu, HI -- 2-time MCFI
Randy Rowles, Forth Worth, TX -- Country's 1st MCFI-H
Bob Spera, Wise, VA -- 5-time MCFI
Stan Swank, Jacksonville, FL -- Initial MCFI
Joel Weaner, Jacksonville, FL -- 5-time MCFI
Rick Wright, Phoenix, AZ -- 2-time MCFI
All recently earned their designations through SAFE benefits provider Master Instructors LLC.
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