Strategies

For CFIs, Aviation Educators

June 2025

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SAFE Scholarship Winner

Ana Gabriela Costa Earns CFI

CFI "Sunny" Nasah (left) and DPE Emil Cirone

Ana Gabriela Costa of South Florida, was this year's winner of the SAFE CFI Scholarship. She did a great job and couldn't wait to tell the world.

"I’m excited to share that I’ve officially become a Certified Flight Instructor!" she wrote on Instagram on May 30. "This achievement was made possible by the unwavering support of so many incredible people, whose encouragement I’ll forever cherish." CFI Sunny Nasah provided the flight training and endorsements (kudos!)

SAFE's Board of Directors is an all-volunteer group of nine top aviation educators. Each member serves a three-year term. Every year, three of the SAFE Board of Directors' terms expire and are filled by an election. All SAFE members are eligible to vote. You will receive an e-mail ballot on June 15, and the online voting will run from June 15 till June 23, 2024. (SAFE Bylaws)

Starting June 15th, choose from these 6 highly qualified aviation education professionals running for the three available Board seats during the June elections. Biographies, along with some new ideas will be available by the middle of next week on the SAFE website.

Doug Auclair

Peter Dawson

Dan Keen

Brian Lloyd

Dr. Juan Merkt

Wayman Alfredo Lui

SAFE CFI News And Tips

For Certificated Flight Instructors

New Instructional Goodies



Long-time SAFE supporter Sporty's Pilot Shop has a new version of their FIRC, available in Sporty's CFI Portal. It's free to active CFIs!

Do you teach wire strike avoidance? On average, 250 wire strikes occur each year, up from 115 such strikes in the late 1990s. "The Terrible Truth About Wire Strikes," a free 13.5 minute ASF video made in 1995, has remarkably detailed information for avoiding wires. Power company Southern California Edison has been holding workshops for pilot education.

Overcoming student anxiety before a practical test may make the difference between pass and fail on the practical test. A new SAFE webinar on the subject is available at 8 PM eastern on Sunday, June 15.

Rusty Pilot seminars, a prime hunting ground for new clients, will be held June 14 in Berkeley Township, NJ and Ocean County Airport NJ. June 27 will be in Logan UT, at Utah State University.

Airport Lighting is a short, new interactive quiz from ASI, designed to reinforce your learner's understanding of the various lights, some of which flash, on airport surfaces.

Want to quickly reach a FAASTeam representative, perhaps to report a safety issue? FAA has new online directory with a FAASTeam reps.

A new goal of the FAA Safety Team involves monitoring active CFI pass rates; low performers may get official FAA encouragement to shape up. The NTSB asked the FAA for such action in 2022, noting that the average pass rate, including all certificates and ratings, is about 80%,

The requirement is in this year's National Performance Plan for the FAA Safety Team and It calls for FAA safety team program managers to track the success or failure of all active CFIs within a FSDO area.

Specifically, it requires FAA safety team program managers to "monitor CFI Pass/Fail rates thru data collection and review associated records within their District. This may include simple review from the DMS data found with the CFI Pass/Fail Analysis Tool (CIPAT), the CFI Failure Analysis Tool, or may include other airman certification data sources..."

According to the FAA, this effort is to "...discover relationships, find patterns, understand results, and summarize findings regarding a CFI’s performance." It's likely the FSDOs will use the 80 percent overall passrate as a standard," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "Eight out of ten is not an unreasonable standard for professional instructors."

Retraining for CFIs with a less-than-optimal pass rate could include required participation in a CFI/DPE Forum Program or taking remedial training, the FAA said.

SAFE CFI News And Tips

For Certificated Flight Instructors

New Equipment, CFI Services

Garmin's new flight planning website works better with the Garmin Pilot app, the company says; some features now available without a subscription.

ForeFlight integrates FAA weather camera video in its app.

Year-old 8Flight, formerly a directory with FBO fees and fuel prices, is set to take on industry leaders ForeFlight and Garmin with its own EFB.

London startup AltoVolo unveiled its 3-seat Sigma, a hybrid flying vehicle with a promised a 500-mile range, 220 mph speeds, and 80% less noise than a helicopter, despite its four jet engines. Company designed the Sigma for private market, versus rivals Joby and Archer that target the air taxi market. No price announced. The company will start a wait-list of potential buyers next month.

Every CFI is keenly aware that his or her students can be a bundle of nerves before a flight evaluation, and it's not limited to private pilot practical tests. This occurs at every level, from private to ATP and even on recurrent jet training. Adequate CFI preparation requires instructors to help their students minimize this anxiety, SAFE is creating a new webinar called "Overcoming Flight Test Anxiety," led by David St George, a 29-year FAA DPE.

"Nervousness is a huge impediment to success on a practical test," he said, "And it affects almost all applicants to one degree or another. You can greatly improve your learner's chances on the ride if you can help him or her quell that anxiety."

St George estimated that flight test anxiety is likely the leading cause of many unsuccessful checkrides. This important webinar will be at 8 PM eastern on Sunday, June 15, and will include techniques to calm your students down. The webinar is free but requires pre-registration. FAA WINGS credit available.

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by David St George

SAFE Executive Director

The current “FAA 141 modernization” initiative is an opportunity for us CFIs to think creatively about *all* flight training and change, including some "unhelpful" procedures we have unfortunately accepted as essential.

Some of the "we've always done it that way" practices include:

• Why do we teach pilots stalls (and terrify learners) before we teach rudder control? Why not switch stalls and ground reference blocks of training?
• Why do we organize courses: PPL (VFR), then IFR training, then with Commercial return back to VFR?
• Are the 10 hours of ‘Commercial Complex training’ of any use at all?
• Could we add tailwheel or upset training here (since LOC-I is the #1 causal factor in accidents) Commercial training has become "Private Pilot 2.0"

If *you* could wave a magic wand and change how we teach flying, what changes would *you* make? Here are some essential modifications that would instantly improve flight training and result in more effective learning, a reduced drop-out rate, and safer, more confident pilots. Read more....

FAA considers allowing operators to conceal aircraft and personal info from the public. You have two days (until June 4) to comment.

Lima Flight App helps aviation newcomers and other pilots find a CFI. App creator Jess Ellwanger, 28, says it also helps with finding aircraft to rent and A&Ps when needed. App is free for now for both Android and Apple.

eVTOL maker Archer Aviation wins "official provider" status for the 2028 LA Olympics, Company will use its Midnight eVTOL to move officials, athletes, fans and VIPs between Olympic venues.

A poll in the May 19 issue of AOPA's Aviation Brief newsletter hints that the association may be considering whether to push for legalization of advertised shared-cost flights. FAA has consistently held that advertising makes it a commercial operation,Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

The FAASTeam Safety Briefing magazine for May and June focuses on tools and technology pilots use to avoid and mitigate risk during flight safely. This free publication was previously FAA Aviation News .Among other feature articles, feature articles in this issue include:

• Foundation of Forecasting. Tells how FAA research has helped redefine access to weather technology.
• Giving Color To Aviation Safety. The 1800WxBrief.com preflight duty has gotten more colorful, with new graphics for ceiling and visibility, clouds, precip, winds, turbulence and icing.
• The Danger Of Overreliance On Automation. Summarizes safety concerns and mitigation strategies for pilots,
• Just In Time Weather. Secrets of using technology to navigate fickle flight weather.
• Jumpseat, an executive policy perspective on emerging technology.
• Building the Right Team. FAA Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup explains the medical certification procedure and advises choosing your AME carefully.
• Outside Your Comfort Zone? James Williams describes official FAA helps useful when tackling a transition from towered airports to non-towered airports.
• LAANC, The Fast Pass For Drones. Drone operators can receive authorization to fly in controlled airspace; explains LAANC and the FAA DroneZone site.
• On The Upgrade. Safety Briefing editor Tom Hoffman provides cautions for owners wanting to upgrade their aircraft.

Matt Prevatt

MCFI

Master Instructors is pleased to announce that Matt Prevatt of Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded the prestigious designation of Master Instructor-Aerobatic for the first time. As an advanced UPRT Instructor with Aviation Performance Solutions (APS), Matt is an Upset Prevention and Recovery Training expert, helping pilots to overcome Loss of Control in Flight, the #1 fatal threat across all aviation seectors.

Randall Brooks

MCFI-A

Master Instructors is honored to announce that Randall Brooks of Queens Creek, Arizona has received his sixth accreditation as a Master Instructor-Aerobatic. He continues to represent excellence and a commitment to education and professionalism that is at the core of Aviation Performance Solutions, which has a number of Master Instructors-Aerobatic on their team. Randall has been delivering Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) for over 15 years

Tobias Rice

MCFI

Master Instructors is honored to announce that Tobias Rice of Dickson, Tennessee has received his second accreditation as a Master Instructor. Toby is a flight instructor mentor and aviation business coach who helps independent CFIs build premium, high-impact businesses. Through his consulting programs, he shows instructors how to skip the hourly grind, attract better clients, and deliver real transformation—not just checkride prep. He also flies a Citation ISP out of Nashville as a part-time jet captain and maintains active instructional roots with over 120 aircraft types flown.

Former controller Robert Mark details some 'significant problems' in the path of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's ATC Modernization Plan,

Another "poor training" lawsuit has been filed by a former United Aviate Academy student; alleges fraud and misrepresentation. According to Flight Drama, Carrie Lynne Thompson is asking $500,000; some 29 other UAA students filed a similar lawsuit last month.

Been wondering if the ATC modernization effort announced last month is the same as the FAA's long-delayed NextGen? No, but they are closely related. The government's new overhaul aims to quickly address critical safety needs and modernize core ATC infrastructure like radar, software and telecommunications. NextGen, on the other hand, has a broader, long-term view focused on improving various aspects of aviation including communications, navigation and surveillance. Many of the objectives overlap.

FAA considers allowing operators to conceal aircraft and personal info from the public. You have two days (until June 4) to comment.

A DPE symposium on November 12-14 in Dallas will be sponsored by FSANA. The last day will include a DPE recurrency session. The symposium allows interested individuals to attend for first-hand information about becoming a DPE.

Lima Flight App helps aviation newcomers and other pilots find a CFI. App creator Jess Ellwanger, 28, says it also helps with finding aircraft to rent and A&Ps when needed. App is free for now for both Android and Apple.

eVTOL maker Archer Aviation wins "official provider" status for the 2028 LA Olympics, Company will use its Midnight eVTOL to move officials, athletes, fans and VIPs between Olympic venues.

A poll in the May 19 issue of AOPA's Aviation Brief newsletter hints that the association may be considering whether to push for legalization of advertised shared-cost flights. FAA has consistently held that advertising makes it a commercial operation,

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.

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

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.

SAFE members get a 20% discount on ASA products.



SAFE members get 10% off any MyGoFlight product.



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 nearly 8000 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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