VIsit SAFE at booths A85/86 and also join us for a free MCFI breakfast at this year's Sun 'n Fun. The feed is free for SAFE members, although registration is required,. Several aviation luminaries and aviation press members have been invited to mix and mingle. SAFE sweepstakes for ALL Members: renew or step-up!

Members are welcome for a full breakfast 8 AM on Thursday, April 7 at the Sunset Grill. This is on the left as you enter the show grounds by the radio station. "We are celebrating 25 years of the Master Instructor Program and announcing a new SAFE program for CFIs," said SAFE Executive Director David St George. "There will be prizes donated by important SAFE supporters and celebrities."

For the "long" instrument cross country, a pilot in training historically was required to perform three instrument approaches using different "navigational sources." Finding VOR approaches was getting increasingly hard and many CFIs/DPEs were ignoring the FAA requirements entirely! CFR 61.65(d)(2)(ii)(C) has finally been clarified by the FAA.

Previous FAA legal interpretations, known as the "Glaser and Pratte letters," had confused both CFIs and DPEs, leading some instrument applicants to search for an airplane with a working VOR receiver to complete their check ride. A full explanation is in a new SAFE blog entry.

The FAA rescinded both the Glaser and Pratte letters in February, separating 'navigational systems' from 'approaches' and allowing training and testing using a LOC and/or ILS or two different RNAV approaches. The use of a PAR approach is also now allowed. The new FAA interpretation is available on the SAFE website.

A new NTSB report is asking the FAA to require pilots to self-report positions on the CTAF frequency in Alaska. The recommendation is limited to CTAF areas in Alaska, although self-reporting position has long been taught as good practice, encouraged by professional CFIs (and supported by SAFE), in the vicinity of all non-towered airports.

Midair collisions, especially in Alaska, have been a focus for the NTSB and the aviation industry for many years. During the period from 2005 to 2020, 14 midair collisions have occurred in Alaska, 12 in non-towered airspace, resulting in 35 fatalities and 15 serious injuries.

A fresh curriculum allowing acquisition of a Commercial pilot certificate with as few as 165 total hours has been approved by the FAA for AeroGuard Flight Training Center. The new course is available for ab initio students at any of aeroGuard's campuses in Arizona, Florida or Texas.

The minimum hours for a Commercial certificate has long been 250 hours for part 61 schools and 190 for FAA-approved schools operating Appendix D of CFR 141. There is huge pressure to lower minimums with the looming pilot shortage. Important questions to ask are will lower minimums jeopardize safety? The recent NTSB review of Atlas Air 3591 puts a sharp focus on the danger of poorly trained, unqualified new pilots even in a crewed environment. Some new low-time pilots are great and some "not so much!" This puts increasing pressure on professional training and honest evaluations.

Florida Institute of Technology researchers are asking CFIs to take an online survey to "investigate the relationship between personality traits, self-efficacy, risk perception, safety climate and safety practices."

The survey should take no more than 12 minutes, say researchers. Questions are oriented toward CFI roles in a Part 61 or 141 school, although freelance CFIs may also take the quiz.

SAFE will display in booths A-85 and A-86 during this year's Sun 'n Fun, April 5-10 at Lakeland FL (KLAL). - Currently, our display booth is lost in shipping but you will see our smiling faces :))

A FREE meet and greet breakfast for SAFE members and aviation dignitaries will be held Thursday, April 7 from 8 to 9 AM. at the Sunset Grill. Although the breakfast is free, seating is limited to 100 so pre-registration is required.

We need volunteers at the SAFE booth (get a cool SAFE hat). Schedule here!

Enter the SAFE Spring Sweepstakes by joining/renewing/donating or Stepping-Up during the show. WIn from home too...everyone plays!

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), born more than a decade ago, holds elections for its Board of Directors each June. At each election, three of the nine Board slots are decided, and there is a two-term limit to ensure members stay in control of the organization. We are looking for qualified energetic candidates for this year's election! Please apply here! We especially need a treasurer with Parvez Dara "retiring" from the board.

Are you passionate enough about quality flight instruction to help guide the nation's largest CFI membership association? Submit your application for SAFE Board of Directors candidacy.

Aside from new technology, flight training has not changed much since the days of Civilian Pilot Training in WWII; we teach using the same assumptions year after year, Ignoring 70 years of pedagogical experience and psychological progress.

This new SAFE blog extracts six of the top erroneous educational fallacies that hinder student progress in flight training.

Crosswind operations and weather are major causal factors in accidents. Yet CFIs and flight schools largely train on "Blue Sky Days." Crosswind landings are not required to be tested in the private or commercial ACS. This SAFE blog advocates for 10 logged crosswind landing for every private pilot (like night).

The release of Top Gun Maverick, the sequel to the 1986 film that generated thousands of new flight students, is set for release May 27, a month and a half earlier than expected.

Marketing expert CFI Ed Helmick suggests in AOPA's Flight School Business newsletter that flight schools tie in with theatres for attracting new learners His suggestions are available here.

A free 55-minute webinar explaining the latest research and government actions on unleaded aviation gas, originally aired March 2, is now available online. It features AOPA’s Tom Haines, AOPA President Mark Baker, General Aviation Manufacturers Association President Pete Bunce, and aviation fuels expert Paul Millner.

It includes a brief history of aviation fuels and looks at what’s coming up next, including the just-announced EAGLE initiative — Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions — which calls for the industry and the FAA to work together to eliminate lead from aviation fuel by 2030.

During the webinar, the experts answer questions from webinar attendees.

For learners who want to know more about aircraft engines and specifically why they quit at inopportune times, a new Paul Bertorelli video is a worthwhile way to spend 24 minutes.

Why Aircraft Engines Quit is also invaluable for CFIs wanting to be the life of the party at their next pilot gathering. Quick now: how many inflight engine failures are caused by fuel exhaustion, mismanagement or contamination? (Spoiler: just under one-third). The video is filled with facts and insights on the real world of inflight engine failures and is backed up with accident statistics and Bertorelli's always entertaining analysis.

The March/April 2022 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine focuses on the aviation maintenance industry.

Calling Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) "unsung heros," articles discuss their important role in keeping our skies safe. "In today's flight training world, important knowledge about maintenance and the value of AMTs is too often not taught," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. This issue's articles include:

A new training app for pilot proficiency called Redbird Pro gives learners an objective measure of their progress and identifies areas for proficiency improvement. The app does not require a Redbird simulator and can be used on both iOS and Android devices, although the use of a Redbird simulator enables the app to incorporate additional data to enhance personal training plans.

The app is available as a subscription for $15.99 monthly for VFR proficiency or $19.99 for both VFR and IFR. It has a 30-day free trial.

Free on-demand educational videos for pilots and aviation maintenance professionals are now available from SocialFlight, a Massachusetts-based company best known for its free apps displaying aviation events, restaurants and interesting places to fly.

The new video series was created in cooperation with the FAASTeam’s WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program and was designed to encourage proficiency, in-person seminars and tailored flight training. On the aviation maintenance side, the FAA’s AMT Awards program prompts AMTs and their employers to participate in recurrent training by offering awards based on documented annual training.

Alaska Airlines and regional carrier Horizon Air have launched the Ascend Pilot Academy (APA) in cooperation with flight school Hillsboro Aero Academy in Oregon. The new school expects to train up to 250 students a year, while Alaska and Horizon estimate they will hire around 2,000 additional pilots by 2025.

According to Alaska Airlines, APA student benefits include low-interest financial aid, a $25,000 stipend to cover the cost of a commercial pilot license and mentorship from Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air pilots. APA graduates will also get a conditional job offer at Horizon Air after meeting certain criteria, Hillsboro Aero Academy operates a fleet of 95 aircraft.

Pipistrel, the Slovenia-based maker of electric and hybrid electric training aircraft, has been purchased by Textron as the core of Textron's new eAviation division. Pipistrel was the first company to win a type certificate for the Velis Electro full electric aircraft in 2020.

The full electric two-seat Electro has a cruise speed of 90 knots, a 1320 pound gross weight, a 378 pound payload and endurance of up to 50 minutes plus VFR reserve.

An apprenticeship program for those interested in building Piper Aircraft products will be held April 21 at 6 PM at Piper Headquarters in Vero Beach FL. Sessions will be open to both prospective apprentices and their family members.

"(It's) part of a high-tech version of the ancient tradition of apprentices learning a trade requiring specialized skills by working with an experienced professional," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caidecott. "This program provides the necessary training, mentoring and support enabling apprentices to successfully pursue a long-term career with growth opportunity as a Piper employee."

Candidates can register to attend one of the informational sessions via email.

SAFE member Jay Shears of Durango CO earned his second Master Instructor designation in March. The designation recognizes Jay’s professional growth, excellence and commitment to providing quality education to the aviation community.

Jay is a CFII, a FAASTeam Representative and an FAA DronePro for the SLC FSDO and an FAA Part 107 remote pilot.

Jay also develops programs within the aviation community committed to creating awareness, training, and opportunities to pursue a career in aviation.

Timm Presseur of Kleinwallstadt, Bavaria, Germany, has earned his twelfth accreditation as a Master CFI. Timm is a professional pilot, FAA Gold Seal and EASA flight instructor, Platinum CSIP and a Designated Pilot Examiner. He also holds an ATP and type ratings. He is managing partner with FTA Flugtraining Aschaffenburg, an EASA approved flight training organization (ATO), and Platinum Cirrus Training Center in Germany.

He is a SAFE member and also belongs to AOPA, COPA, NAFI, and other aviation organizations. In 1999, Timm was the first flight instructor outside the USA to earn Master Flight Instructor credentials. He has supported the MCFI program ever since and says he is proud to achieve MCFI credentials for the 12th time in a row.

SAFE is a 501(c)(3) educational, not-for-profit professional organization building aviation educator excellence and aviation safety. Our more than 4,100 members include many of the best-known, best-credentialed and most experienced CFIs as well as many FAA Designated Pilot Examiners.

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