Record crowds and activity in 2021
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SAFE members also appeared in many presentations, including David at the AOPA DPE forum that answered questions from pilots. This provided insider tips on the DPE process and how pilots could better prepare for their checkride (see " Checkride Ready!™"
on the SAFE App)
SAFE had productive meetings with FAA Supervisors Rob Reckert and Kieran O'Farrell from AFS-600. They set up "listening sessions" with all DPEs and also met with the AOPA DPE-Advisory Board. The termination of DPE Ken Wittekiend was discussed and a potential pathway to restoring his destination was discussed. |
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Some CFIs Now Need LODAs;
Worse May Come, SAFE Says
AOPA Goes To Congress To Fix "Reinterpretation"
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Effective immediately, A Letter Of Deviation Authority (LODA) is required for any CFI instructing in any experimental, limited category airplane or warbird. Also, SAFE warns that worse may be coming, especially for CFIs on Basic Med if the FAA's new policy on CFI status is not reversed.
FAA Inspectors started prosecuting CFIs for teaching without a LODA after the direct-to-final rule was issued without public comment on July 12. An estimated 40,000 GA pilots and instructors are affected, and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told a disappointed audience at AirVenture 2021 that it may take as much as four years to re-write the rules, eliminating the need for CFIs to apply for LODAs.
The bureaucratic snafu sprang from the narrowly-defined Warbird Adventures case in Florida. In announcing his decision, the federal judge upheld the FAA's cease-and-desist order but offered an obiter dictum (non-binding guidance) declaring that “when the student is paying for the instruction, the student is being carried ‘for compensation.'" The FAA promptly adopted that as policy, even though it directly contradicts years of FAA policy on CFI status.
"The FAA is supposed to be encouraging aviation safety," said David St George, SAFE Executive Director. "This nonsense requirement does zero to improve safety and potentially removes the most experienced CFIs from teaching."
AOPA Goes For Legislative Solution
AOPA and the coalition of GA organizations opposing the FAA's new policy, including SAFE, continue to pressure the FAA to reverse its ruling but so far have made little progress. Last week AOPA helped Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. Sam Graves introduce legislation in both houses of Congress to correct the FAA's erroneous interpretation.
The Certainty for General Aviation Pilots Act of 2021 is S.2458 in the Senate and HR 4645 in the House. Both bills clarify “that individuals engaged in aircraft flight instruction or testing, including phased testing of experimental aircraft, are not operating an aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.”
Worse Could Come With Compensation and Hire Clause
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"For many years, the FAA has viewed CFIs as educators who fly, which is why CFIs on Basic Med can be paid for dual given," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Director of Communications. "This new flipped view means that a second class medical will be required to instruct, at least for pay. Those who instruct on Basic Med tend to be the most experienced CFIs. This is the reverse of safety."
The Bottom Line: Get A LODA Of This
At least for now, the bottom line is that anyone providing or receiving flight instruction in their experimental, limited, or primary category aircraft is at legal risk if they do not have a LODA (experimental aircraft) or exemption (limited or primary category aircraft) in place before conducting or receiving the training. The application for a LODA can be completed here.
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Migration... Migrates to Florida!
New Dates: Feb 8-9 At SNF Campus
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Redbird's Migration is migrating to Florida in 2022, skipping the regular fall 2021 conference in favor of the new venue. The refreshed flight training conference is now set for February 8-9 at the Sun 'n Fun campus in Lakeland.
"We have discussed this possibility for a while and we think now is the opportune time to act on it," said the company in a notice on Facebook. The notice listed several reasons for the change, including reducing scheduling conflicts with the numerous fly-ins that take place in the fall. Other reasons included getting ahead of other events for previewing new aviation products and initiatives and escaping capricious Texas weather.
"This past February, the entire (Texas) electrical grid failed, and we had to close our headquarters for over a week. We won't exactly be upset to go elsewhere," the company notice said. It promised a full slate of sessions, workshops, and announcements for the February 8-9 meeting.
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Happy Birthday, Basic Med!
ASI Asks CFIs To Spread The Word
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On the fourth anniversary of its birth, Basic Med is going strong. At last check, more than 61,000 pilots have availed themselves of the FAA's less-rigid medical certification requirements, many employing local CFIs for recurrency.
That means the earliest adopters of Basic Med are now up for their four-year renewal, which involves completing an online course and visiting the doctor for a physical exam.
In fact, Basic Med is the subject of the lead article in the new issue of ASI's CFI-to-CFI, available now for CFIs without cost. In the well-written summary of requirements and expectations for Basic Med, experienced pilot Machteld Smith asks CFIs to enlighten their clients.
"CFIs, you have a tremendous opportunity to help your clients understand Basic Med, what to expect and how to be legal to fly, so (please) share this article with your clients," said Smith. She noted that the fourth birthday of Basic Med means the first wave of renewals and questions is starting.
Other articles in this ASI CFI-to-CFI issue include:
"Safe Practices and Good Manners 90-66B" is the suggested new name for the FAA Advisory Circular that tells how we should behave in the traffic pattern. This review by Al Alwin, an MSP-area CFI, untangles arguments over unusual pattern entries.
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VR Arrives At ERAU
First Use Of Virtual Reality In Flight Training
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Virtual Reality (VR) for flight training is set to debut this fall at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Flight Training Department Head Dr Ken Byrnes said the VR devices will be used by ab initio students to allow such things as ATC simulation The ERAU readiness program also uses a Frasca Level 6 FTD.
The goal, said Dr. Ken Byrnes, head of the flight training department, is to help students “complete their flight training faster and at a lower cost,” while also increasing the number of students who can go through the university’s program.
A small company in Colorado, ATSystemsLLC, is working on GA versions of military-style VR pilot visors resembling gaming hardware that allow an instructor to realistically create iFR conditions in the student's field of vision while flying A story on KMGH Denver 7 TV description tells about the company.
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Trouble Teaching Stabilized Approaches?
Free 57-Second Training Video
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The FAA's free "57 Seconds To Safer Flying" series may help your students who have trouble with various issues that affect GA safety. Narrated by Memphis FSDO FAASTeam Manager Phil Dixon, the series condenses difficult subjects to their essence.
The current 57-second video focuses on stabilized approaches and landings, along with expanded information on the FAA FAASTeam website. Topics in the 57-second video library include:
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135 Jet Operators Hiring
Hint: They Want Vaccinated Pilots
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The Covid Crisis has been good for Part 135 jet operators, and they're hiring pilots. Just thought you'd like to know.
According to aviation news magazine AINonline, industry player NetJets alone has committed to hiring hundreds of pilots and service employees this year and investing nearly $2.5 billion for 100 new aircraft to be delivered through the end of 2022.
The unprecedented Covid Crisis demand for private air travel is stressing aviation infrastructure, said NetJets, limiting fueling, ramp space, catering and ground transportation. To cope, the company has already ceased selling fractional shares, leases or jet cards for its popular Citation XLS and Embraer Phenom 300 jets to cope with demand. Previously, it had raised jet card prices and restricted peak day travel for cardholders.
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OSH Introductions Of
Interest To CFIs
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Among the news items of CFI interest from the just-completed AirVenture 2021:
New 100-octane unleaded fuel. The FAA awarded an STC to General Aviation Modifications Inc (GAMI) for use of unleaded fuel. GA has been under pressure for years from the EPA and environmentalists for years to "get the lead out." Piston-powered GA airplanes are now the main cause of lead in the environment.
Aspen Avionics Opens Online Learning Course. Aspen unveiled its new online learning course for its Evolution Pro MAX flight display series.“Evolution Pro MAX 101” is designed to cover basic functions of the Pro MAX series.
Newburgh, New York-based Lee A. Archer Jr. Redtail Youth Flying Program.
FlightAware Enhances 'Aviator' Subscription, Flight tracker FlightAware introduced Aviator, a new subscription service that adds power-on time, taxi-out time, departure and arrival times, parking info and more extensive flight history. It also enables Flight Intents, which can plan a flight without having to file a flight plane.
Avidyne PilotEye Vision System, an aviation AI system by Avidyne and Daedalean a Switzerland-based company that builds autonomous piloting software for civil aircraft. It is being designed to serve as a “never-tired, never-distracted second set of eyes” that will scan for and identify everything from traffic and airborne hazards to potential emergency landing sites.
EAA Launches AeroEducate. AeroEducate is an EAA program aimed at steering young people toward aviation careers. It is meant as a follow-on to the association’s Young Eagle program.
Textron Aviation introduced the diesel-burning Turbo Skyhawk JT-A, which caused some shock-and-awe with its $435,000 sticker price.
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Slovakian Flying Car Launches
YouTube Video Is Available
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The closest thing yet to Molt Taylor's 1949 Flying Car (right) has taken to the air for real, making a flight between two cities in Slovakia. A video of the flight is available on YouTube.
The flying car prototype from Klein Vision of Slovakia features retractable wings and tail. Its recent test flight between two
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Slovakian cities make it a valid competitor in the flying car market, competing with major companies including Volkswagen, Hyundai and Porsche. CNN has a report on the flying car efforts.
According to the Klein Vision company, the car transforms from a road vehicle into an air vehicle in under 3 minutes. "(It will be) useful for leisure and self-driving journeys, and also as a commercial taxi service," the company said.
SAFE research showed a pristine 1954 Molt Taylor Aerocar, for which similar claims were made in the early 1950s, recently listed for sale at $1.3 million. No projected price has been offered for the Klein Vision convertible.
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FAA Safety Briefing
July/August 2021 Looks To The Future
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No-lead avgas, electric airplanes and dealing with snarge, oh my!
The July/August 2021 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on flying in an environmentally responsible and energy-efficient manner, lest ever-more-onerous restrictions be imposed on GA flying. "Yes, there are ways we can fly with new technology and environmentally sustainable practices to make a difference," said the magazine.
Among the articles in the July/August issue are:
GA Can Light the Path for Electric Aviation
Looking at the Future of Avgas
How the FAA is Working to Reduce the Impact of Aircraft Noise
Accidental "Meetings" Between Aircraft and Wildlife
LED Technology Is The New Beacon in Aviation Safety
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Make Money Online
Redbird: 6 Opportunities
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"Shifting, pivoting, and adjusting to changing practices and new technology have created opportunities to share expertise online and generate income," said the post. It lists six ways for CFIs to make money online.
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Design Challenge
WA Aviation High School Wins
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A team from Tukwila, Washington’s Raisbeck Aviation High School has been named the winner of the 2021 General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Aviation Design Challenge.
Some 50 teams from 26 states completed GAMA’s six-week “Fly to Learn” curriculum, then modified an aircraft for a specific mission profile using X-Plane-powered software. A virtual fly-off is then held, judging aerodynamics and performance. The annual competition is held annually to promote STEM education in U.S. high schools.
Second place went to The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. “Their submissions showed a sophisticated grasp of aircraft design for accomplishing an important and timely simulated mission—delivering COVID-19 vaccines to a remote area," said Pete Bunce, President of GAMA.
Prizes for the winning team include a GA manufacturing experience at CubCrafters, tours of GAMA member company facilities in the Seattle area, and demonstration flight opportunities. The Pennington winners will receive a two-day Redbird Flight Simulations STEM Lab Camp.
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Autoland, Smart Glide Added
It's A Scary New World For CFIs
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After Garmin introduced Autoland, many wondered what the avionics giant would do next. The answer has arrived: it's Smart Glide.
The new Smart Glide recommends a suitable airport within gliding range and navigates there so the pilot can execute a dead-stick landing. But wait, it gets better. When hooked to a Garmin autopilot, Smart Glide automatically engages the autopilot and pitches for the aircraft’s best-glide airspeed.
Smart Glide requires at least one of Garmin’s latest GTN Xi-series navigators.
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"The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey
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Master Instructor Achievements |
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The Master Instructor designation is a national FAA-recognized professional accreditation and parallels other professionals' continuing education regimen to increase their professionalism. The Master designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses FAA requirements for renewing the candidate's flight instructor certificate. Of the 101,000 flight instructors in the US, fewer than 800 have earned the Master Instructor designation, and most are SAFE members.
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Matthew P.R. McDaniel, MCFI |
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Master Instructors is pleased to announce the designation of Matthew P. R. McDaniel of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a Master CFI for the Tenth time. A lifelong aviation enthusiast who has been around airplanes since childhood, Matthew started out as "the kid at the airport sweeping out hangars in exchange for airplane rides."
Now a captain at a major airline, Matthew has been an active instructor for nearly all of the 29 years he has held a CFI certificate. also while flying in other professional capacities including air ambulance, charter, corporate and airlines. His instructional specialty is in Cirrus aircraft training, which he began providing prior to the advent of the Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot program - Matthew is CSIP #004 and has held the crediential continuously since 2003. He lives in Oak Creek with his wife, Darcy, and their two teenagers.
Master Instructor designees are recognized for not only their excellence in teaching, but for their dedication to learning – not only their students' learning but their own as well. The honor also revalidates the holder's flight instructor certificate. The recently expanded program became part of SAFE earlier this year. To learn more, go to Master Instructors. |
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SAFE is a 501(c)(3) educational, not-for-profit professional organization building aviation educator excellence and aviation safety. Our more than 3,600 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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