2026 Outlook: Enjoy, Grow, And Be SAFE!
SAFE Strategies, SAFE Blog, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, A Plethora
Of Members-Only CFI Training Resources, CFI Liability Insurance, CFI Mentoring,
CFI Annual Scholarship, Free FLYING magazine, Two Dozen CFI Supplier Discounts, Representation in Washington, Master Instructors...
But Wait! That's Not All!
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SAFE's new AI search and summary tool is trained on the SAFE Blog archive. Not only will this resource find the articles you are looking for, but it also responds to queries with a narrowly-tailored *intelligent* summary. Try this new tool HERE.
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SAFE's YouTube Archive
Has "Initial CFI Preparation"
The SAFE YouTube archive has most of our previous webinars carefully edited with additional QR-accessible resources. Our "Initial CFI Preparation" video has been very popular with aspiring CFIs. This presentation contains critical DPE insider advice and techniques.
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Dr. Juan Merkt, an Embry Riddle prof., delivered a comprehensive explanation of energy management, saved on our SAFE YouTube Channel. Juan was an early contributor to our SAFE Magazine and also the co-author of the FAA AFH Chapter 4 on Energy Management. This program contains augmented earning resources. SAFE also has a dedicated landing page exclusively dedicated to "Integrated Energy Management."
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FREE SAFE Toolkit App
SAFE CFI-PRO™ is the "Missing Manual" of advice for every new CFI (what the initial CFI training missed.. It is free from SAFE.
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The SAFE Toolkit App contains all endorsements and experience requirements for every pilot certificate and rating. A new feature called Checkride Ready™ provides pilot applicants with the "inside scoop" on how to successfully prepare to ace your FAA practical test with your DPE. This area contains advice from many FAA DPEs on all the problem areas that trip up applicants.
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Please Rate The Value Of Your SAFE Membership
Please let us know what you feel (and how we can improve) Very short survey (talk to us)
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April 14-19, 2026 Sun 'n Fun 52
SAFE Booth Triple Space in
Air-Conditioned Alpha Hangar
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SAFE will be at Sun 'N Fun in a TRIPLE-WIDE exhibit area in the air-conditioned Alpha Hangar.
"It's so we can visit with more of our 8,000 SAFE members and give everyone the best informal forum at the show," said David St George, SAFE Executive Director. "April is only four months away, so start planning now." Volunteer to help at the SAFE Booth for just two hours for free daily admission. Volunteering at the SAFE booth one day is worth a weekly show pass, valued at $140.
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If you're an active SAFE member with knowledge on an interesting topic, please consider signing up as an expert presenter at this year's Sun'n'Fun. FORUM SIGN-UP. Please let us know wo we can add you to the list of SAFE presenters and promote your talk.
The 2026 SAFE exhibit at Sun'n'Fun in July will include a "CFI Roundtable" in the Prop 75 Building, with speakers, discussion and FREE Ice Cream. This is Saturday the 18th at 5pm
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Notice To SAFE Members
Changes in SAFE Discounts
New CFI Benefit Added
Discounts Up To 100% Possible On ForeFlight
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Foreflight's new CFI Referral Program is offering active CFIs up to 100% off any Foreflight subscription by convincing enough students to buy a subscription. The first student who completes five logbook entries earns their instructor 20% off; each additional student buyer adds another 5% to the CFI's discount.
The current SAFE discount with Foreflight is 15%, and other fresh benefits for SAFE members are in the works. SAFE is an educational not-for-profit with a mission of inspiring and enabling CFI excellence, raising all pilots to a higher level of safety.
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ATC Improvements Underway
27,625 New Radios, 612 Radars by 2028
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A three-year agreement with defense contractor Peraton as the Prime Integrator of the ATC improvement effort was announced last month by DOT Secretary Sean Duffy. The company will design and implement the $12.5 billion first-stage ATC modernization program, equipping controllers with new electronics to replace older equipment.
Despite the agreement's three-year duration, experts have consistently said the ATC overhaul project will take a decade to complete. That didn't faze Duffy, who announced that the PDF Q&A on the Brand New ATC (BNATC) will be a "state-of-the-art air traffic control system that the American traveling public, and our hard-working air traffic controllers, deserve by 2028.
"It's hard to argue that ATC doesn't need modern communications and navigation equipment," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "But we fear that the reach of the President Trump-pushed upgrades may exceed their grasp. Only three years to complete a massive ten-year effort isn't a recipe for success."
A PDF Q&A on the Brand New ATC (BNATC) is available at the end of the AvBrief.com story on the announcement.
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Are PC Sims Helpful?
Do You Know The Answer?
This Veteran SAFE Member Knows
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The answer is yes, but with limitations. "As long as the Junior Birdman understands the limitations of it," says SAFE member and FLYING magazine writer Meg Godlewski, "and it has cockpit-appropriate controls for what the learner is flying in the real world."
Godlewski brings special expertise to the article, with more than 3,000 hours logged teaching in Redbird simulators. She has been a Master CFI eight times and will soon celebrate her 25th year as an aviation journalist.
Godlewski delights in building challenging flight scenarios for simulators. During a mountain flying session in the simulator, she taught a lifelong flatlander how to handle winds in mountainous areas, faster takeoff and landing speeds, and density altitude effects. The pilot later reported to Godlewski that her instruction had kept him from crashing on takeoff from a mountain strip.
Godlewski is also a founder of the annual Pilot Proficiency Program at OSH during AirVenture. And of course, she's a founding member of SAFE.
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SAFE CFI News and Tips
For Certificated Flight Instructors
Of Interest To CFIs
The deadline for nominations for the General Aviation Awards has been extended to January 16. The FAA-industry effort annually recognizes national CFI, Maintenance Professional and FAASTeam members of the year. To nominate someone, you can submit applications on their behalf. Yes, you may also nominate yourself.
Former FAA Deputy Administrator Sandy Murdock says the FAA wants to eliminate Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) and transition them into Organizational Delegates of Authority (ODAs), which are typically formed within a large company to handle certification work.
FSANA's 17th annual Flight School Operators Conference & Trade Show will be February 25-27, 2026.in San Diego at the Loews Hotel on Coronado Bay. Register here.
There never was a true pilot shortage, ALPA maintains, blaming the problem on low wages and pandemic disruptions, not lack of interest.
SAFE members now get a 20% discount on products from Max Trescott, a Cirrus Platinum CSIP and author of several guides on using advanced avionics. Have your SAFE membership number ready.
Dramatic video of a Baron landing on a car on I-95 in Florida was caught by a car just behind the crash.
First confirmed real-life use of Garmin's Autoland system occurred December 21 at BJC in Colorado. A King Air 200 squawked 7700 then continuously transmitted a metallic female voice announcing pilot incapacitation. LiveATC.net has audio of the incident. In the archived recordings, select "KingAir Autoland at KBJC Due to Pilot Incapacitation." The Autoland announcements start at 01:20.
Update to King Air Autoland on December 25, 2025:
Turns out that despite the King Air's metallic female voice repeating "the pilot is incapacitated," he (they) really wasn't (weren't). The two pilots experienced sudden depressurization as they passed FL 230 and decided to let Autoland take over as they addressed other issues.
Oh, you want to know what happened to the King Air? It made a perfect landing according to witnesses, but there is controversy growing over the pilot's decision to let Autoland continue.
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Spin Doctor Speaks On Roll Upset Recovery
Rich Stowell, SAFE Co-Founder Known As "The Spin Doctor" Issues New Paper On Roll Upset Recovery.
Publication Jan 5.
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Master Instructor Rich Stowell has published a new paper that tackles decades of conflicting guidance on recovery from spiral dives and other roll upsets, types of loss-of-control-inflight (LOC-I). The paper then offers a simple, ready-to-adopt standard for general aviation: Power-Push-Roll.
Loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) remains the leading cause of fatal accidents in general aviation, by a wide margin. Most LOC-I events end in a stall, spin, or spiral dive linked to breakdowns in manual flying skills. A Charter and Life Member of SAFE, Stowell says, “Convoluted spiral dive and roll upset information has been confusing pilots for decades. Power–Push–Roll is an optimized recovery sequence that considers human factors and aerodynamic and structural limits.” He added, “Hands-on training is the only way to learn to successfully employ Power-Push-Roll when startled by an upset.”
The paper draws on historical guidance from regulators, manufacturers, and training providers, as well as Stowell’s nearly four decades of upset training experience. The paper also highlights human factors traps like startle and the instinct to pull. It clearly delineates the line between upset prevention and recovery. It recommends Power–Push–Roll as a GA-appropriate roll recovery strategy that complements existing standards for stall and spin recovery.
Stowell encourages stakeholders to adopt Power-Push-Roll as the standard roll-upset recovery strategy in general aviation, arguing that this will improve alignment with key FAA and ICAO principles and consistency in training. Appendices provide ready-to-use roll recovery templates, teaching points, and checklists that can be incorporated directly into handbooks, syllabi, and UPRT programs. Stowell also recommends improved training in manual flying skills and LOC-I awareness and avoidance, as well as ongoing practice with upset recovery techniques.
The paper is available free as a download from organizations that sponsored the paper: Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), Community Aviation and Upset Prevention and Recovery Training Network.
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Drones Invade NFL TFRs
DEFENSE May Come Soon
A "Shoot 'Em Down" Bill In Congress
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TFRs around major league stadiums are of little concern to some drone operators, according to an NFL report. In 2024, the NFL alone suffered more than 2,800 drone violations of the TFRs around its stadiums. Unfortunately, only Federal law enforcement officers are allowed to physically stop drones and their ability to mount an attack on offending drones is limited. (A modern Kargu-2 attack drone is shown in the photo).
Now, the NFL, MLB and other major sports leagues are backing a bill called the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act, which would give local authorities training, allowing them to "mitigate a credible threat (from) an unmanned aircraft" using attack drones. As of midnight on December 31, 2025, the bill S.663 was in the Congressional Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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Master Instructors Accreditations
“Singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."
- FAA Administrator Marion Blakey
| MCFI accreditation now also requires an active phase of FAA WINGS | |
Craig Agapie
Master Instructors and SAFE are pleased to announce that Craig Agapie of Ada, MI has received his first accreditation as a Master Instructor -Aerobatic.
An Indiana native, Craig earned degrees from Indiana State University in both Professional Aviation and Aerospace Administration after being influenced by his dad, an aviation lover and airline mechanic. Following college, Craig flew cargo for seven years, was furloughed, and then started a nonprofit auto repair shop in downtown Fort Wayne. The successful shop served many low-income families who relied on their vehicles to maintain a job and support themselves. By the time Craig departed, his auto repair shop mission included training youth who were aging out of the foster system.
Craig returned to aviation through a local flight school, teaching aerobatics part-time (a college love). The flight school sought to establish a Part 135 charter department to serve local clientele, and he joined full-time to develop and operate it as Director of Operations and Chief Pilot, growing it from one Cirrus SR22T to five aircraft, including a jet and a PC-12. He was thrilled to join Otter Air Services in the summer of 2021. Craig married Rachel in 2006, and they have five sons: Stephen, Andrew, Daniel, Joshua, and Luke. He enjoys teaching and learning aerobatics in his Pitts S-2A with his company, CNC Aerobatics, as well as cars, finance, and volunteering at church.
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Want To Make A Difference?
Mentor New CFIs
Join SAFE's Mentor Connection
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The SAFE Mentorship Connection group needs you, as an experienced CFI, to help newer CFIs learn the ropes and improve their instructional professionalism. Zoom sessions are on Tuesdays from 7:00 pm Eastern (23Z) and last up to two hours.SAFE Mentorship Connector director Dorothy Schick hosts each meeting.
Weekly roundtable discussions with the CFI Study Group on CFI topics often have prominent guest speakers, most recently CFI Bootcamp's Mike Shiflett. The 20 or so CFIs and CFI-wannabes who attend each study session can get into one-on-one conversations with DPEs.
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SAFE Sponsors
Please shop at these merchant supporters of CFI professionalism.
They make possible your SAFE privileges and benefits.
| | SAFE members get 1/3 off any ForeFlight subscription. Potential yearly savings: $133+ | | SAFE member CFIs get 25% off all Gleim Aviation products except kits, ATP, FIRC, IARC or sim hardware. Call 800-874-5346 for the discount. | | |
Buy a pair of "Delta Zulus" and Lightspeed Aviation donates $100 discount and 10% toward the SAFE "CFI Scholarship Fund!"
More Information
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SAFE members get 20% off select merchandise. | |
Platinum Cirrus Training Center provides flight training, aircraft rentals and sales at KAXH. | |
SAFE member CFIs qualify for a $100 rebate on Bose A30 or ProFlight Series 2 aviation headset. | |
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SAFE members get a 20% discount on ASA products.
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SAFE members get 10% off any MyGoFlight product.
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SAFE members receive a 20% discount on all King Schools Training products. | |
SAFE members get 20% off all books/CDs by Max Trescott, Cirrus Platinum CSIP and author of several guides on using advanced avionics. | |
SAFE members get 5% off any Qref checklists. Use code SAFE5. | | SAFE members get 20% off the Artful Flying book by Michael Maya Charles. | | |
SAFE is a 501(c)(3) educational, not-for-profit professional organization building aviation educator excellence and aviation safety. Our more than 8000 members include many of the best-known, best-credentialed and most experienced CFIs, as well as many FAA Designated Pilot Examiners.
Join SAFE now Give To SAFE (Tax Deductible)
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