One of the recommendations from SAFE's Pilot Training Reform Symposium, was to create an early flight instructor accreditation that encourages and recognizes the professional growth of Aviation Educators. An industry-wide committee was formed and tasked with this goal. The committee identified six standards that professional flight instructors and other aviation educators should meet and maintain to be recognized as an accredited aviation educator. These standards are:

1. Utilize their skills as teachers, educators, instructors and trainers 
2. Continue to enhance these skills by participating in various learning activities 
3. Participate in a mentoring program where they have access to experienced "masters in the trade" 
4. Learn from a recommended reading list compiled by experienced educators 
5. Promote general aviation by participating in general aviation events and venues 
6. Subscribe to the tenets of the Flight Instructor Model Code of Conduct 

The Aviation Educator Accreditation committee, chaired by SAFE member and Master Instructor David McVinnie, has devoted the past eighteen months to developing the standards and procedures for this new designation. The group has formulated a process that will encourage and reward professional educators who want to become above average instructors. That process is now ready for BETA testing. 

The Committee recognizes that this program, which encourages the professional development of aviation educators with an industry-recognized, voluntary designation with formal recognition, is an evolving process. The time has now come to introduce the program to the aviation community and invite participation in the final formulation of the accreditation process. 

To this end, the program is being launched in a BETA test mode, open to individuals and Flight Schools that recognize the value of this effort and wish to participate as "first responders" in this project. No fee will be charged for those applicants who volunteer for this BETA test. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for BETA participants to be at the "leading edge" of this important initiative and to become members of the first class of Accredited Aviation Educators. For more information and application forms please visit www.aviationeducators.org.

The SAFE Pilot Proficiency Project™ continues to gain momentum, with the next offering scheduled for the Women In Aviation convention, Nashville, TN March 14-16, 2013. Only the simulator portion of the project will be offered thanks to the kind generosity of our partner, Redbird Flight Simulations. If you have experience instructing in simulators and would like to be part of the project team at the convention, please contact Doug Stewart or Mark Adams. 

Next on the PPP schedule will be Sun N Fun in Lakeland, FL April 9-14 2013.  The full project will be offered then (including seminars along and the simulator scenarios). Again, if you can assist either as a seminar presenter, or a simulator instructor please let us know. 

Additionally, negotiations are also underway to secure a stand-alone venue for the project at this summer's AirVenture. 

We are excited to announce that as soon as all the details have been finalized, you will be able to offer your clients who insure with Starr Aviation premium discounts and accident forgiveness if they participate in the Pilot Proficiency Project™. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting new development. 

If you are currently providing instruction in a Redbird Simulator please don't hesitate to download all the PPP scenarios and use them with your clients.  

As most pilots are aware, aviation can be a fantastic catalyst to excite and inspire young people to become engaged with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) topics. To that end, SAFE is putting together a speakers bureau of aviation educators who have the willingness, enthusiasm and expertise to speak to audiences comprised of Kindergarten through 12th grade students. This database of speakers will be made available to K-12 teachers nationwide through the SAFE website. If you would like to volunteer to be a part of this exciting new venture, please contact membership committee chair Sherry Rossiter with your name, email address, phone number, and the town and state in which you would be available to speak.