SAFE eNews
The Monthly Bulletin of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators
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SAFE is a 501(c)(3) educational, not-for-profit professional organization building aviation educator excellence and aviation safety.
Our 2,500 members include many of the best-known, best-credentialed and most experienced CFIs and many FAA Designated Pilot Examiners.
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New 'productive' safety study at NASA includes all flights, not just accident flights; uses positive pilot attributes and inputs instead of traditional 'error-finding' reports, called 'protective' safety
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NASA Aviation Safety Study
Seeks Pilot Good, Not Bad
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A NASA aviation safety study is taking a 'productive safety' approach for the first time, after years of traditional 'protective safety' approaches that studied only crashes.
“For every well-scrutinized accident, there are literally millions of flights in which things go right, and those flights receive very little attention,” said
Dr. Jon Holbrook, a cognitive scientist at NASA's Crew Systems and Aviation Operations Branch at Langley Research Center. Aviation safety expert Marit de Vos of Leiden University described the reverse study as a fresh approach, saying "It's like we've been trying to learn about marriage by only studying divorce."
(For an example of the traditional approach, see the FAA Safety Briefing story, below.)
Traditional "protective safety" investigations focus only on accidents, especially errors and omissions, and final NTSB reports finger the pilot in 75%-80% of crashes. Not unexpectedly, this has led aircraft designers to replace as many pilot tasks as possible with automation, essentially 'designing the pilot out of the cockpit.'
The new NASA "productive safety" project instead studies every flight and emphasizes both the infrequency of accidents and the number of flights that terminate safely due to human intervention. "When we characterize safety only in terms of errors and failures, we ignore the vast majority of [positive] human impacts on the system," said Holbrook.
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Traps Revealed In 8500-8
CFIs Should Advise Clients
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Changes quietly made to the
FAA 8500-8 medical form last year could lead an unwary pilot into a bureaucratic morass delaying issuance of their new first, second or third class medical certificate for months.
The changes do not affect BasicMed, the "drivers license medical."
The changes were discovered by AOPA last month, which said the revised form on the FAA's MedXPress website has additional instruction dropdown menus shown by a small "+" next to the question number, They are easy to miss and difficult to understand, the association said.
The association warned that the additional instructions expand the scope of a question or contradict the original question. For example, under diabetes, the expanded language lists pre-diabetes in addition to actual types of diabetes. In each of these expanded areas, the language and instructions are lengthy, confusing, and more likely to make a pilot check a box that might cause significant delays in the pilot receiving an airman medical certificate as well as opening the possibility of the pilot having to undergo invasive testing at their own expense.
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SAFE CFI-PRO
(tm)
In June
$75-Off Coupon May Help Gift-Givers
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SAFE's next
CFI-PRO workshop for CFIs aspiring to excellence will be held at Sporty's Academy in Batavia OH on Wednesday and Thursday, June 10-11, 2020.
"And what could be better than to offer your friend or significant other the gift of advanced education?" asked SAFE Executive Director David St George. "Every CFI should have a spouse or trainee willing to give them two full days of top level education in June."
Led by top SAFE-member aviation educators,
SAFE CFI-PRO™ workshops focus on improving aviation educator professionalism and increasing understanding of basic flight dynamics. The course includes details on
SAFE Envelope Extension maneuvers, which are skill-building techniques that can be flown in any Part 23 training-type airplane.
Most of the 39 attendees at SAFE's first
SAFE CFI-PRO™ workshop in Frederick MD were CFIs, but there were three almost-CFIs and a flock of FAA DPEs. "Expect surprises and lots of networking and interaction with other CFIs," said SAFE Executive Director St George. "and remember, this is for everyone - even if you're just preparing for your CFI."
- “live safety-oriented aviation seminar with fresh, level-appropriate knowledge for CFIs… Excellent!”
- “This is an outstanding program for both experienced and new aviation educators.”
- “Excellent opportunity to discuss subjects in flight training with flight instructors from across the country”
- “this is a great event that really helps increase your tools for teaching“
"And remember, it's the holidays," said a perky Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "This is a great time to buy a 'professional improvement package' for your significant other." More information
here.
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FAA Safety Briefing November/December
Resource Management/
Error Mitigation Featured
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The November/December 2019 FAA Safety Briefing focuses on the concept of resource management and error mitigation techniques for pilots. Feature articles focus on threat and error management and highlight the importance of sound crew and single pilot resource management. The issue also look at ways flight data monitoring can help you steer clear of errors and learn from your mistakes.
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Threat And Error Management (TEM) is an airline concept that GA pilots can adapt to mitigate risk. TEM acknowledges that there is no such thing as a perfect flight, that we operate in a complex environment and that we will make mistakes. So, the TEM approach is designed to help pilots recognize and prevent those mistakes from escalating into operational errors.
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CRM: The magic of using all available resources, and the misery of trying to go it alone. Veteran FAA CFI Susan Parson explains CRM with an analogy to an FAA class she took early in her career with the agency. "Both tradition and regulation give full authority to the pilot in command, who must understand and accept that questions and observations are not a threat to his or her final authority," she said.
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Single Pilot Resource Management (SRM)
seems easy, but it's not the walk in the park many believe it to be. "There is no one right answer in ADM; rather each pilot is expected to analyze each situation in light of experience level, personal minimums, and current physical and mental readiness level, and make his or her own decision," author Susan Parson writes.
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General Aviation and the Information Age
Our ability to learn from the experience of others is a key driver of safety in aviation, says FAA Safety Briefing associate editor James Williams. "Think of it this way: if you had to learn every life lesson through personal experience, it probably wouldn’t go well (e.g., don’t touch a hot stove, look both ways before crossing the street, etc.). Our ability to learn from the experience of others is a key driver of safety in aviation." Welcome to aviation's Information Age.
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ADS-B Clock Is Ticking
SAFE Reviews January 1 Requirements
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First the bad news: although about 60 percent of business aircraft have equipped with the ADS-B Out equipment required by January 1, 2020, only about 40 percent of piston singles and light twins have so equipped.
Now the good news: you could have a great future as an avionics installer. Shops all over the country are reporting
long wait times for installation, while some owners are debating the value of adding a $3,000-$5,000 piece of equipment to a training-type airplane that may never go near ADS-B required areas,
"It's time to review the
"no-go" zones for your clients and students if they opt not to equip with ADS-B Out," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. Anywhere above 10,000 feet will be off-limits, with limited exceptions in mountainous areas. Both Class B and Class C airspace will be off-limits, including any space below the outer limit of B and C airspace, and above the airspace to 10,000 feet MSL. One especially disturbing fact about the Class B requirement is that it applies at all altitudes within the 30 NM "Mode C Veil" around Class B areas rather than just the Class B area itself,which cuts off access to many GA airports near major cities unless ADS-B Out equipped.
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Can You Block ADS-B Data?
Yes, But It May Not Be Worth It
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On January 1, 2020, there will be a way to keep just anyone from tracking your flight via its mandatory ADS-B signals, which usually show the aircraft N number. It's called PIA, for Privacy ICAO Address, which assigns a different ICAO address.
But before you rush to log onto
the FAA website to request a PIA, you should know that only 1090 MHz ADS-B Out devices qualify for the program. If you have a 978 UAT ADS-B Out device, you're out of luck. Even those units with dual capability do not qualify. Sorry.
If you do use a 1090 MHz ADS-B Out device, you'll also have to get a "third-party call sign," which is a random identification assigned by the government, military or police, or by a third party call sign provider, a commercial service with a security agreement with the FAA. The fee for that 'fake call sign' can be as much as $4,000.
There is a separate program for corporate aircraft belonging to NBAA, now called LADD, for Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed, which requires aircraft tracking vendors such as FlightAware to block display of aircraft data, both for aircraft in flight and historical data. However, since ADS-B Out signals are not encoded so can be picked up by anyone with an appropriate receiver, NBAA recommends their members use both the LADD and PIA.
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DPE System Under Review
FAA Panel Focuses On Short-Term Fixes
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Even before the advisory committee's first meeting at the end of October, the FAA removed geographic limitations for DPEs and added additional training. The agency is now increasing DPE appointment as well.
Also being considered - for now - are ways to apply the FAA’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program to airman flight testing. This would essentially delegate the role of DPE to an employee of the flight school. The fact that the ODA program at Boeing has come under fire in that company's 737 problems, however, may slow enthusiasm for that approach.
Further integration with IACRA will make practical tests more efficient, another short-term fix for the problem.
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SAFE NYC Meet-Up Jan. 13th
New SAFE Scenarios Available At KFRG
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SAFE Board member (MCFI) David Dempsey will be demonstrating new SAFE simulator scenarios and maneuvers from SAFE's Extended Envelope Maneuvers resource package at his quarterly CFI meeting January 13 at
Farmingdale NY (KFRG).
Pilot Proficiency International is owned by SAFE member Dan Weiss, who is a SWA check airman and has a passion for improving pilot and CFI proficiency. He will demonstrate new SAFE simulator scenarios and maneuvers from the Extended Envelope Maneuvers resource. That resource is provided free to participants in
SAFE CFI-PRO™ workshops. The next
SAFE CFI-PRO™ workshop is June 10-11 at Sporty's Pilot Shop near Cincinnati.
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ASI Offers "Safety To Go"
An End To Boring Aviation Safety Meetings?
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For CFIs who always get stuck with conducting the monthly safety meeting, the Air Safety Institute offers hope, in the form of downloadable
"Safety To Go" presentations. Often in PowerPoint but using a variety of media, the presentations allow that month's Safety Officer (that's you) to play as large or as small a part in the meeting as you'd like.
There are detailed notes that accompany the slide set, just in case you needed refreshing on any of the topics you'll so confidently explain on meeting night. Titles include "After The Crash," "Chart Challenge," "Avoiding Airborne Traffic," "Cross Country Challenge," "Fly By Night," and "Emergency! Getting It Right When Things Go Wrong."
"These
Safety To Go downloadables are the modern and much more convenient version of the old ASI Seminar In A Box," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "Those were a great product then and these new versions are that much better. Like most ASI safety offerings, they're free."
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Purdue Offers Degree-In-3
May Save Students $20K-$30K Living Expenses
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Officials say the change could save students as much as $30,000 in tuition and living expenses, but the real bottom line is: more pilots are needed now, not some time in the future.
“The three-year program leverages better flying weather during Indiana’s summers and improves our aircraft utilization – a win-win solution for all,” said associate professor Brian Dillman. On the rare occasions when Indiana turns IFR, Purdue students will have a new Hawker 900XP full-flight simulator. It was installed in September.
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NWS Now Warns Of Solar WX
Disrupts GNSS, HF Comm Radios
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The potential for solar eruptions to disrupt GPS navigation signals is a well-known threat, so the National Weather Service is now issuing advisories to pilots and other users.
The advisories will be produced “as conditions warrant” and will be updated at six-hour intervals “from the nearest hour after the advisory is issued until the space weather phenomena are no longer detected and/or are no longer expected to have an impact,” NWS said. A full description of the advisories is available in PDF form.
Solar flares in the past have wreaked havoc. WAAS was rendered unusable for 15 hours during the “Halloween Storms” of 2003. Later that year, the FAA issued a first-ever advisory suggesting a risk to aircraft occupants from excessive radiation.
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New Raytheon Satellite Up
Keeps Cat 1 Minima
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The latest hardware to improve the accuracy of WAAS signals is now in space as the WAAS GEO 6. The new Raytheon equipment corrects satellite GPS signals to allow CAT 1 minima for instrument approaches to even remote airports.
"It is now operational and fully integrated...with two other WAAS satellite payloads already in service," said Matt Gilligan, VP of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business. "As the airspace increases in complexity, there is absolutely no room for error."
Operational since 2003,
the WAAS network consists of three geostationary satellites and 49 terrestrial-based stations dispersed across the continental U.S., as well as Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
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Diabetics Rejoice!
Second, First Class Medicals Now Possible
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A new FAA protocol to allow individuals with insulin-controlled diabetes to apply for and obtain second- and first-class medical certificates is being put in place. Previously, these airmen were limited to third-class medicals.
The protocol makes used of continuous glucose monitoring technology, which has seen widespread adoption among patients with insulin-controlled diabetes in recent years. The FAA says the new protocol will be available to holders of third-class medicals as well.
For diabetics not insulin-dependent, a special issuance certification has been in place for years, and many medication-based treatments are acceptable. Diet-controlled diabetes with documentation of successful treatment is eligible for certification without a special issuance. Comments will be accepted on the new policy through January 6, although the policy went into effect last week. Read more
here
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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 the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to increase their professionalism. The designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses the FAA requirements for renewal of 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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David J McVinnie of Albuquerque NM, a 12-time Master and charter SAFE member, renewed his Master CFI accreditation on November 20 through the
Master Instructors LLC
program. Dave is the president of
McVinnie Aviation LLC where he specializes in technically advanced aircraft flight and ground training.
A retired US Air Force veteran, Dave also serves as a pilot examiner and FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Albuquerque FSDO area. Of historic note, Dave was the seventh aviation educator to earn the Master designation when the accreditation program was introduced by then-FAA Administrator Barry Valentine during Oshkosh AirVenture 1997.
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Mark John Szpak
of Prescott Valley AZ, successfully renewed his Master Instructor designation on November 20.
It is his second Master Instructor accreditation for SAFE member Mark Szpak, who graduated from ERAU-Prescott. He provides flight, ground, and simulator instruction with
JetWright Aviation LLC
at Prescott's Earnest Love Field
(PRC)
, Cottonwood Airport
(P52)
and Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (KDVT). He specializes in flight instructor training and jet transition training.
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Lara is the president as well as division director of the famed Air Race Classic and serves as a Designated Pilot Examiner
and FAASTeam representative for the FAA's South Bend FSDO.
She manages
Century Aviation
,
a full-service FBO at Indiana's DeKalb County Airport
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