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March 2018

SAFE represents nearly 1,700 of the industry's top aviation professionals in 49 states and nine foreign countries, including the majority of Master Instructors and numerous General Aviation Awards winners in all three awards categories.  

Chair's Corner
 
by David St. George, SAFE Chair
 
David St George
Happy Spring (well, almost!) to our members and aviation safety advocates! Your membership and support make our amazing success possible, so thank you. 
 
SAFE continues to grow and add both resources and discounts for members. New this month are products from Scott  Dennstaedt (AvWx Workshops), an experienced CFI-I and former NWS research meteorologist. He is a truly professional educator, and I have been a fan of his work for years. His website and courses are valuable resources, and coming soon will be a native app as part of your membership. Check out great savings on our benefits page HERE. 
 
Also see below for news about SAFE's exciting new TV studio broadcast from Fun 'n Sun, managed by our collaborator Gold Seal Groundschools. SAFE members may use our studio to publicize their own aviation products or services during the show and take home a professional video. To take advantage of this opportunity, use the online form to let us know a bit about yourself and your product or service. 

Please join the excitement at the SAFE booth at Sun 'n Fun and sign up to help at the booth. We need volunteers daily and have a few daily admission tags for booth volunteers; it's first come, first serve, so select your volunteer time here. 
 
Metal Fatigue AD To Affect 14,653 Training Aircraft
 
An airworthiness directive (AD) proposed by the FAA last month is calling for repetitive inspections and repairs, if necessary, on 14,653 Cessna (now Textron Aviation Inc) airplanes due to possible metal fatigue in the lower forward doorpost, which could cause the wing strut attachment to fail in flight.
 
The bulk of the airplanes affected are Cessna 172 and Cessna 182 models commonly used in flight training. A full list of affected models by serial number is available on the Regulations.gov site . Compliance with the AD would be required when aircraft reach 4,000 hours time in service (TIS), or within the next 200 hours TIS for aircraft with more than 4,000 TIS.
 
The agency estimates the cost of the inspection at $127.50. Should cracks be found, the agency says, the estimated cost of repair would range from $2,686 to $2,992.
 

Record "Improbable Turn" Livestream Attendance
Volume Briefly Broke Server


A record 3,000+ instructors and pilots tuned in February 8 for SAFE's The Improbable Turn  livestream safety seminar. This amazing success briefly overloaded the feed's server. Fortunately, it recovered quickly and SAFE processed over 1,200 FAA Master Wings credits after the seminar.
 
An "improbable turn" is an attempt after engine failure shortly after takeoff to turn back to the runway  rather than landing straight ahead. See the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook pages 6-7.  

The broadcast, part of SAFE's 'Instructor Professionalism' series, featured noted aviation author and humorist Rod Machado , SAFE's current chair David St. George and Gold Seal Flight Training owner Russ Still. The three, notably, did NOT agree completely with the official FAA guidance on the subject, which calls for pilots to land straight ahead regardless of circumstances.  The video is available free for SAFE members.
 
" We had to tread carefully to not ruffle feathers on this controversial subject," said St. George.
 
 
"SAFE Studio" Throughout Sun 'n Fun
You, Too, Can Be A Star
 
SAFE has teamed up with Gold Seal Ground Schools to offer continuous entertainment and excitement at the show with "SAFE TV" throughout the Sun 'n Fun show in Lakeland FL April 10-15, 2018. SAFE will be recording in a mobile professional TV studio for broadcast on the web, offering a venue for celebrities, sponsors and SAFE members who want to broadcast to the world - literally - their talents, schools or services.
 
If you are interested in being interviewed on "SAFE TV" at this year's Sun 'n Fun, please complete the short sign-up form and we will work to get you scheduled for your own shot at stardom.
Driver's License Medical Info Available

Flight instructors are being increasingly faced with questions about the new so-called driver's license medical, which FAA has named BasicMed. SAFE has supported BasicMed, in part to increase instructional opportunities for CFIs as thousands of non-current pilots return to aviation.
 
AOPA has announced a suite of online resources for pilots and physicians, called "Fit to Fly" web pages, to pilots and CFIs. It is not necessary to be an AOPA member to use those resources.
 
SAFE Blog Updates for March
 
Is A Turn Back To The Runway Impossible? Or Just Improbable? How can something as simple as takeoff and climb-out be responsible for 24 percent of fatal GA aviation accidents? According to the NTSB data, this is the most fatal phase of flight. Part of each takeoff planning session should include what you'll do if the engine quits shortly after your wheels leave the ground.

Should We Give Pilots "Sharp Tools?"  by David St. George. St. George relates a childhood experience that taught him the difference between ordinary instruction and "sharp tool" instruction. He asks "As CFIs, do we teach pilots the "least common denominator solution," or do we want to risk "sharp tools" and teach judgment with the inevitable danger of misuse?"
 
Educator Professionalism Creates Excellence in Aviation . The tenets of professionalism apply to flight instructors regardless of whom they teach or the aircraft type, and professionalism is the foundation for excellence and success. Former FAA safety official Bryan Neville provides measures you can use to evaluate your own professionalism.
 
How and Why We Fail. You may know that the NTSB lists "pilot error" about 75 percent of the time in the causes assigned to each accident. You also know that pilots read accident reports voraciously, on the theory that they can glean knowledge that will prevent them from making a similar mistake.  Then why, pray tell, does not that 75% "pilot error" rate decrease year-by-year? SAFE Chair David St. George has one answer to that pressing question.

CFI Presenter Sign-Up Time Short for SNF

SAFE members willing to pass on their hard-won aviation experience at this year's Sun 'n Fun, April 10 - 15, are still needed.
 
"Our membership is full of the most experienced pilots, instructors and FAA designated examiners," said David St. George, SAFE chair. "From the beginning, SAFE has been a professional organization and passing on wisdom with a seminar or three at this year's Sun 'n Fun is worthwhile."
 
Speaking slots tend to fill up quickly as the show dates near, said Laura Vaughn, Director of Events at this year's Sun 'n Fun. "You get to pick the topic as long as it is aviation-related and educational, and not just selling or promoting a particular product."
 
Fifty-minute seminars are scheduled Tuesday-Sunday from 9am until 1pm, with the last presentation finished by 2pm. Forum registrations are available online , and St. George asked that SAFE members presenting notify SAFE of their subject and time slot scheduled so the seminar can be advertised as widely as possible.   

Make A Difference 
Become A SAFE Board Member

The SAFE Governance Committee is seeking nominations for three board member positions .  Each position is for a 3-year term starting at the end of July 2018.  New Board members will be seated at the Annual Members Meeting during AirVenture 2018 in Oshkosh, WI. 
 
5 of 2016's SAFE Board Members
"As you know, SAFE is an entirely volunteer-led organization, said David St. George, SAFE Chair. "If you'd like to help advance aviation safety and educator excellence, tell us about yourself and why you want to serve. We need people with enough time to work and actively participate in growing SAFE and spreading 
our mission  of aviation safety and educator excellence."
 
You may nominate yourself or someone else, provided your nominee is agreeable to run for the specified term and meets the requirements listed below. Nominations must be received by May 30, 2018. Questions to answer on the application are:
  • Why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
  • How will your aviation and professional background, special talents, and leadership skills help to further SAFE's mission and goals?
  • What do you see as the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE and for SAFE's Board of Directors in the next 3 years, based on SAFE's current mission and vision statements?
  • Other ideas for growing SAFE and providing resources to our members?
  The online application form is available now.

Sun 'n Fun SAFE Member Discount Announced
 
Sun 'n Fun CFO Tracy T. Neal confirmed this week that SAFE members will be eligible for an admission discount to this year's Sun 'n Fun airshow, set for Lakeland, FL, April 10-15, 2018. The discount will be $5 off the regular $37 price for daily admission, and $30 off the regular $150 weekly admission, making adult tickets $32 and $120, respectively.
 
There is no discount on the $15 daily or $60 weekly youth tickets, for ages 11-17. To claim the discount, SAFE members must enter the code "SAFE012" when buying tickets online .
 
SAFE will have a double-wide booth at the event and offer continuous live interviews on SAFE TV, in cooperation with Gold Seal Ground Schools. To appear on SAFE TV at this year's Sun 'n Fun, please complete the short sign-up form.

Please sign-up to help at the S.A.F.E. Booth (and join the excitement there) We need volunteers daily; there are a few day admission passes for early booth volunteers. 
Select your booth time here.

AvWx Workshops Adds Discount For SAFE Members

New SAFE sponsor AvWx Workshops is giving SAFE members an additional $30 discount on the cost of membership, making the annual AvWxWorkshops membership price just $49. The annual membership was $119 but is now on sale to the public for $79.  With the additional $30 savings, SAFE members get the annual AvWxWorkshops membership for just $49.
 
AvWx Workshops provides the Internet Wx Brief Roadmap, a suite of high resolution weather guidance designed to increase your situational awareness with respect to the weather better than any other preflight weather planning tool. It also provides unlimited access to a comprehensive library of bite-sized aviation weather training workshops that can be used online via PCs, Macs, iPads and iPhones. 
 
"AvWx Workshops owner Scott Dennstaedt is an CFI-I and former NWS research meteorologist specializing in aviation weather training," said SAFE Chair David St. George. "He has written over 100 articles for various aviation magazines to include IFR, Plane & Pilot, Pilot Journal, Flying, Aviation Consumer and Twin & Turbine magazines just to name a few."
 
 
National CFI, A&P and FAASTeam Rep Announced

Daniel Peter Christman
CFI Of The Year
Winners were announced last month for the 2018 National General Aviation Awards. They include flight instructor of the year Daniel Peter Christman of Las Vegas NV, aviation technician of the year C. William Pancake Jr. of Keyser WV, and Catherine Elizabeth Cavagnaro of Sewanee TN as FAASTeam representative of the year.

Catherine Elizabeth Cavagnaro
FAASTeam Rep Of The Year
  The FAA will present individual awards  to each National Honoree in July during EAA AirVenture 2018 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and their names will be added to the large perpetual plaque located in the EAA AirVenture Museum lobby. Also included for each National Honoree is an all-expenses-paid trip to Oshkosh to attend the awards presentation and other special GA Awards activities.
C. William Pancake Jr.
Aviation Technician Of The Year
 
Privatized ATC Grab Defeated
For This Year, Anyway

In a surprise move late last month, Pennsylvania Republican Representative Bill Shuster announced that he was removing the ATC Privatization provision of his FAA reauthorization bill, HR 2997. That provision would have spun off the US air traffic control system to non-profit management. A privatized ATC has been opposed by virtually every general aviation group in the country, in part because it would effectively give control of the entire airspace system to the airlines, which could result in squeezing GA activity at larger airports, including flight instruction.

Bill Shuster R-PA
ATC Privatization Author
Shuster's move was an acknowledgment that united GA opposition to the plan doomed it.
 
President Trump has been a strong supporter of privatization, and included it in his 2019 budget, released last month. He has previously called ATC "an antiquated, wasteful mess." His proposal called for the change to be financed by taxes on airline tickets and aviation fuel. Many developed nations have similar arrangements, including Canada, the U.K. and Australia.
 
In a related move, Shuster announced his plans to retire from the House, where he has been chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

FAA Goes "Back To Basics" In New FAA Safety Briefing

The new  January/February 2018 issue of FAA Safety Briefing  takes a forward-thinking journey "back to the basics" of flying fundamentals. Articles in this edition provide important tips, techniques, and resources for better avigation, navigation and communication.  The articles include:

Master Instructor Updates

SAFE's co-founder and first executive director and three former members of SAFE's Board of Directors were among those honored with Master Instructor certifications in January and February.
 
Doug Stewart
Doug Stewart of Hudson, NY renewed his Master CFI accreditation February 20 through Master Instructors LLC .
 
Stewart was the 2004 National CFI of the Year and owns and operates Doug Stewart Flight Instruction at Columbia County Airport in Hudson NY. This is his 10th renewal, making him a Master CFI for the past 20 years. Stewart was a co-founder of SAFE in 2009 and served as the organization's Executive Director for several years W hen he retired , he was honored as Executive Director Emeritus by the SAFE Board of Directors.
 
In addition, he serves as a designated pilot examiner and a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Albany/Windsor Locks FSDO.
   
 
 
Parvez Dara
Parvez Dara , of Tom's River NJ, a 6-time Master and the current SAFE  board treasurer, renewed his Master CFI accreditation February 1 through Master Instructors LLC .
 
Dara is a longtime New Jersey aviation medical examiner (AME) as well as a Mooney Pilot Proficiency flight and ground instructor with the Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association Safety Foundation . He also serves as a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Philadelphia FSDO.
   
 
Jack Vandeventer
John W 'Jack' Vandeventer of Indianapolis IN, a 7-time Master, charter member of SAFE and a former member of the organization's Board of Directors, was granted Master Instructor Emeritus (MIE) status on January 31 through  Master Instructors LLC  in recognition of his many years of commitment to excellence, professional growth, service to the aviation community, and quality aviation education.  
Vandeventer is an independent CFI who instructs at  Montgomery Aviation on  Indianapolis Executive Airport where he specializes in technically advanced and high performance flight training.  A former member of SAFE's board of directors, he also serves as a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Indianapolis FSDO. 
 
 
 
Michael L Phillips
Michael L Phillips of Ventura CA, a 6-time Master, long-time SAFE member and former member of the SAFE Board of Directors, renewed his Master CFI accreditation February 1 through Master Instructors LLC .
 
Phillips  is a flight, ground, and simulator instructor with CP Aviation,  a Cessna Pilot Center at Santa Paula Airport.  A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he also serves on the Master Instructor Board of Review as well as a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Van Nuys FSDO.
Gene Behrends
 
 
 
Gene Behrends of Cochran GA, a 1st-time Master Instructor as well as a member of  SAFE  and IAC, earned his Master CFI-Aerobatic accreditation February 5 through  Master Instructors LLC .
 
Gene is an assistant chief flight instructor at Eastman's Middle Georgia State University  flight department.  In that capacity, he specializes in stage checks, end-of-course checks, aerobatic instruction, and initial CFI training.   
 
 
 
 
 
James L Stover
 
  James L Stover of Fredericksburg VA, a 9-time Master and SAFE member, renewed his Master CFI accreditation February 17 through  Master Instructors LLC  program .
 
A retired US Army infantry officer, Jim is the chief flight instructor and owner of JLS Aviation , a Part 141 flight school at Shannon Airport, where he specializes in light sport through commercial flight training.  He also serves as a representative of AOPA's Airport Surveillance Network (ASN) and is a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Richmond FSDO. 
 
 
Lonnie L Hilkemeier
Lonnie L Hilkemeier of Boulder CO, an 11-time Master Instructor and SAFE member, renewed his Master CFI accreditation February 20 through  Master Instructors LLC .  
 
Colorado's first Master Instructor in 1998, Lonnie is the senior flight instructor and president of Specialty Flight Training , a Cessna Pilot Center at Boulder Airport.  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Denver FSDO. Additionally, he was one of the first aviation educators to earn a Master designation when the accreditation program was first introduced in 1997, and is only the third instructor to ever be accredited eleven   times. 


Again, thanks for your support and Fly SAFE!


David St. George, Chair
Society of Aviation and Flight Educators
Copyright SAFE, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved.
SAFE, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Public Charity

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