From NAFI's Chair

Passenger Planning — Part One

Passenger briefings remind me of ice cream. Each have basic ingredients that are crafted into a variety of flavors. Plain vanilla briefings cover the regulatory requirements in § 91.519 but many pilots prefer to add customized elements. Through experience or thoughtful foresight, they include items such as environmental controls for passenger comfort and placement of feet to avoid the rudder pedals as convenient footrests during flight or while stretching. Passengers may be informed that a raised hand means “silence, please” while the pilot focuses on flight and communication priorities.

There are many considerations when carrying passengers but no experience requirements. Flight instructors can help by discussing real world situations that arise, such as potential distractions and the impact of backseat weight, center of gravity, and related trim changes. Scenario-based training is both fun and insightful when the CFI plays an eager non-pilot on their first flight.

Many passenger briefings end with a polite, “Do you have any questions?” This can be an educational opportunity for both pilot and passenger. For example, as a passenger during private pilot exams I may point to something on the panel and ask, “What is that for?” If it is an ELT switch, the pilot normally explains the purpose of an ELT. An inquisitive passenger might inquire, “If it works automatically, why is there a switch for it?” I’ve observed numerous pilots realizing the remote switch is available for ELT activation prior to landing. Answering passenger inquiries builds confidence in the pilot’s systems knowledge and ability to deal with whatever may occur during the flight.  

Passengers who are informed about aircraft equipment such as a remote ELT switch become part of the team in cases of emergency and can be directed to turn it on. Being involved and proactive helps reduce an out of control feeling that can leave lasting trauma. Join tonight’s MentorLIVE broadcast to learn how passenger education increases enjoyment and allows them to be valuable participants during a flight.

Karen Kalishek

NAFI Board Chair

MentorLIVE is Tonight

Wednesday, June18 at 8 p.m. Eastern

for MentorLIVE

Right Seat Ready: Safety and Enjoyment Through Non-Pilot Companion Education

presented by Jolie Lucas and Harvey Madison          

Pilots and instructors can increase flight safety, the happiness of their passengers, and act as ambassadors for GA in an easy but unexpected way. This presentation details both how and why non-pilot companions can become engaged and knowledgeable participants in GA flights. Importantly, we’ll address essential learning topics found in no other pinch-hitter resources. This presentation’s content includes a high level look at elements of Right Seat Ready, a two-day seminar created by Jolie Lucas and Jan Maxwell. 

MentorLIVE is NAFI's monthly, live-streaming broadcast airing the third Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m. Eastern. These programs feature subject matter experts from many aspects of the flight instruction industry to help CFIs be more successful in their training endeavors. MentorLIVE is broadcast free of charge to all aviators as a NAFI community service. All presentations are WINGS approved.  

Can't join the live broadcast? 

MentorLIVE broadcasts are archived to view at your convenience at my.nafimentor.org/mentorlive-archives.

Aviation Industry News

1.5M New Aviation Professionals Needed by 2034

A new report suggests that about 1.5 million new aviation professionals will be needed worldwide by 2034, likely increasing pressure on airlines and regulatory bodies to recruit and effectively train workers. CAE, a Canadian technology company specializing in flight simulators and pilot training services, projects 1,465,000 pilots, technicians, air crew, air traffic controllers, and others will be needed over the next nine years to meet rising demand for air travel and replace the hundreds of thousands of aviation professionals set to retire or leave the industry. More here.

Aviation Medical News

FAA Updates MedXPress to Speed Certification

The updated MedXPress landing page now features (under the “Help” tab) links to resources such as system guides, an FAQ, an aviation medical examiner (AME) locator, and the FAA’s online Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. The goal is to help applicants better prepare their medical submissions before visiting an AME, reducing the need for time-consuming requests for additional information. Among the updates are new on-screen prompts that encourage applicants to review requirements for any known medical conditions in advance. More here.

Flight Instructor News

App for Pilots Seeking Well-Suited CFIs

Students often find instructors somewhat by chance depending on who is available at a given flight school or which independent instructor at the local airport has time to take on new students. Students seeking to begin training as soon as possible might take the first available CFI only to find that working effectively with that person is particularly difficult.

“That is why I built this tool to help instructors get their names out there,” Jess Ellwanger said. For students, the app makes it easier to see their options and increases the likelihood that they will find an instructor who is a good fit. More here.

Aviation Research News

Professor Honored for Research on Language in Aviation

Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University associate professor Elizabeth Mathews, who has dedicated her nearly 32-year career to the critical study of language as a human factor in aviation, has been recognized by the Flight Safety Foundation with its prestigious Safety Forum Award. The Safety Forum Award is granted to individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation safety through innovative research and practical applications. The Foundation’s criteria for this honor include demonstrable improvements in safety protocols, impactful research findings, and a commitment to fostering safer aviation environments. More here.

June NAFI CFI Video Update

Stay up to date on the latest information impacting the important work of CFIs. Each month, NAFI Program Development Manager Sarah Staudt condenses regulatory, policy, and guidance updates most relevant to flight instructors from a variety of sources. This month we cover:

1. The FAA discontinuing five aeronautical charting products
2. Updated guidance on the reckless operation of aircraft
3. The next Part 141 Modernization meeting dates
4. New policy on incomplete or insufficient air operator or air agency applications

Watch below.