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 improving instructor professionalism and aviation safety.
Our 1,700+ members include many of the best-known, best-credentialed and most experienced CFIs and many DPEs in the US and internationally.
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RCO Decommissioning Continues
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The RCO decommissioning project scheduled to end late this year expects to retain at least 90 percent of FSS voice coverage for pilots at 1,000 AGL. The maps above show the extent of RCO coverage currently (left) and expected (right). The darker red indicates areas of overlapping coverage, which will be reduced by project completion. Sheila Renehan-Sygar, FSS Communications Lead on the RCO project, told SAFE that the number of overlapping RCO sites will be further reduced as VORs are phased out.
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Redbird Flight Training
Devices
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New Piper Wing Spar AD Proposed
Prime Target: Flight Schools
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In the aftermath of an April 4, 2018 wing spar inflight separation from a Piper Arrow that killed an Embry-Riddle student and DPE, the FAA has issued a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for wing spar inspections for corrosion. The notice affects nearly 20,000 Piper PA28 and PA32 aircraft, many of which are used by flight schools nationwide.
The NPRM estimates the cost of a wing inspection at $147.50, with an additional replacement wing spar, if needed, at $8,260 per spar. The inspection station will also have to cut a new inspection port on the underside of the wing if not previously installed, adding another $685 in parts and labor.
"Busy flight schools that fly Piper 28 and 32-series aircraft will feel more impact, proportionally," said David St George, SAFE Executive Director, noting that the FAA's way of determining AD applicability includes counting the number and frequency of 100 hour inspections.
The deadline for
comments on the new AD is February 4. At the beginning of your comments, please identify the subject as "Docket No. FAA-2018-1046; Product Identifier 2018-CE-049-AD."
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SAFE's First Annual Guide To
2018 Regulatory Changes For CFIs
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Year 2018 was the best of times and the worst of times for flight schools and independent CFIs.
A surge in student starts caused by ill-considered Congressional action in the Colgan 3407 crash also precipitated a shortage of CFIs, as flight schools started offering previously unheard-of incentives for new instructors to handle the surprise student load.
On the "best of times" side of the ledger, several regulatory changes long urged by SAFE and favorable to the flight training industry were published. Here is SAFE's wrap-up of the major 2018 changes affecting primarily flight training professionals. All took effect during 2018.
1)
Use of an ATD for instrument proficiency, which until this year was required every two months, is now required only every six months. This aligns the ATD recurrency requirement with other IFR proficiency methods, lowers proficiency cost and encourages use of ATDs in flight training. (FAR 61.57c).
2)
Sport pilot training can now be credited toward higher certificates or ratings, again reducing the cost of certification for pilots working on advanced certificates and ratings. (FAR 61.99; 61.109l).
3)
Pilots may now gain recurrency in an ATD, FFS or FTD without having the pay for a CFI in attendance. (FAR 61.51g).
4)
Technically advanced airplanes may now be used in the place of complex (gear, flaps and prop controls) airplanes for the 10 hours of time and checkrides required for new commercial pilot applicants and CFI applicants. This change relieved both flight schools and applicants, since complex aircraft have become both scarce and expensive. The FAA estimates savings of $2.8 million over five years. FAR 61.1, 61.129a3ii, appendix D to Part 141, and 61.31e,f.)
5)
Sport instructors with a required endorsement may now provide training by reference to instruments. (FAR 61.415h, 91.109c).
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Large, Growing Resource Centers On New SAFE Pag
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SAFE's extensive
resource centers - one open to all instructors and a more comprehensive one for members only - are now available on the SAFE website. The public center, available to all instructors in the interests of safety, has nearly 50 separate resources in a variety of formats. For instance, the public section on Avoiding Loss of Control includes a dozen articles, fact sheets, studies, data, PowerPoint presentations, webinars and online courses on the subject. One of the most popular subjects in the public section is
Instructor Pay, Professionalism and Preparedness.
The treasure trove, however, is in SAFE's members-only section, which contains hundreds of entries on virtually every aviation education subject under the sun. Among the subjects are aerodynamics, airspace, airwork including takeoffs and landings, emergency procedures, human factors, maintenance and maintenance training, and much more. "This isn't basic FAA-produced material," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "These resources dig deeply into the subject matter, with new audio-visual materials and recent research on CFI-related topics. Worth it: bit.ly/JoinSAFE
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Illinois Middle School Teacher SAFE Education Grant Presented In November
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Master CFI and United Airlines First Officer Adam Ruscitti presented a SAFE Teacher grant in November to an obviously delighted Melissa Wedwick at St Peter's School in Rockford, Illinois. Note the "thumbs up" sign from Ms Wedwick.
Wedwick plans to use the grant money to enhance the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curriculum at her middle school.
SAFE has awarded grants to elementary and secondary teachers since shortly after its founding in 2009, part of the Society's effort to introduce youngsters to the excitement of aviation. The grants are all underwritten by generous SAFE members, and last year totaled four.
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Drone Rules Enforcement Video Posted
CFIs Urged To Help Educate Local Police
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As drones operating near airports become more of an issue, flight instructors can play a key role in equipping local law enforcement with the knowledge they need to cope with the dangers.
"Local law enforcement often is not aware that drones can endanger aircraft, particularly light training aircraft, or what they can do about it," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "If you will point your local or state police to this video, it will save you valuable time when a drone becomes a menace at your airport."
The introduction to the video urges law enforcement officers to take the threat seriously. "Whether it's a Federal, state or local law being broken," the video says, "if the violation poses an imminent threat to the public safety or security, your first and foremost duty is to take action under your agency's authority to ensure the safety of the people in the vicinity."
The video explains FAA drone law and how state or local laws can apply to drone incidents, and urges local authorities to notify the FAA's
Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) agents for further investigation.
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New FAA "Safety Enhancement" Fact Sheets Free
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A collection of what the FAA calls “GA Safety Enhancement Topic Fact Sheets” are now available free online. Each of the PDF documents explores areas of concern for flight instructors with active students. The Fact Sheets include:
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The SAFE House News
with SAFE Executive Director David St George
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Hi All SAFE Supporters,
Welcome to 2019, SAFE's 10th anniversary! One of the ways you can help your organization thrive is by volunteering to run for the SAFE Board of Directors. Three of SAFE's nine Board members rotate off each year, ensuring we keep in touch with member needs. You can see our current board
here. The yearly Board of Directors election is this spring, so please take time now to
nominate someone qualified (or volunteer yourself) to be a Board member.
There are also opportunities on committees and volunteers for our
triple booth at Sun 'N Fun in April. You can join the fun
here!
Thanks to all who contributed to our fall giving appeal and of course we still welcome donations year-round. We also encourage members to
"Step-Up" to a supporting membership level (let me know when you do and I will send you the new SAFE hat!). I just renewed my ForeFlight subscription and saved more than my yearly $45 SAFE dues. Please
support SAFE.
We have some exciting new initiatives "ready for take-off" in 2019 (I will keep you waiting a little longer as we develop the details) Our growth has enabled some exciting new affiliations and activities. The
FAA Wings Prize of $10K cash to the most prolific CFI is now open to every CFI in 2019.
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Master Instructor Achievements
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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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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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Shane L Vande Voort, MCFI
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Shane Vande Voort, a Master CFI and SAFE member, renewed his MCFI accreditation November 30 through Master Instructors LLC. This marks the seventh consecutive renewal for the Pella, Iowa CFI, meaning 14 years of continuous growth in aviation and instructional aviation expertise.
That makes Shane one of just 25 CFIs worldwide to have won seven consecutive MCFI renewals.
Shane is President of Classic Aviation at the Pella Municipal Airport, as well as the company's chief flight instructor and A&P Maintenance Technician, and specializes in Cirrus and other technically advanced aircraft training. He is also a FAASTeam representative and an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner for the Des Moines FSDO.
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A soon-to-retire US Air Force officer and MC-130J instructor pilot at Albuquerque's Kirtland Air Force Base, Mike specializes in teaching instrument flying procedures, low level flight operations, air drops, and tilt-rotor air-to-air refueling.
Additionally, he works with local Civil Air Patrol (CAP) units and Cub Scouts / Boy Scouts as well as providing aviation education subject matter expertise to students and teachers involved in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) curricula.
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Adam R Stoughton
, a 1st-time Master and SAFE member, recently earned his Master CFI accreditation through the Master Instructors LLC.
Adam is an assistant chief flight instructor, an online instructor and a courseware developer with
California Aeronautical University's
school of aviation. Additionally, he serves as a FAASTeam representative and remedial trainer the FAA's San Diego FSDO.
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Joel D Weaner
, a 9-time Master and SAFE member, renewed his Master CFI accreditation December 15 through Master Instructors LLC.
Joel serves as a lead FAASTeam representative in the FAA's Orlando / North Florida FSDO. He also owns and operates Beach Banners based at Jacksonville's Craig Municipal Airport and provides aerial advertising services, aircraft rental, and tailwheel flight training.
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Andrew Marinelli, a 7-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation through Master Instructors LLC.
Drew is an independent flight and ground instructor with Precision Aviation Services at Youngstown's Elser Metro Airport (4G4) where he specializes in flight reviews, primary, and instrument training.
He also serves as a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Cleveland FSDO.
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Happy flying, and please don't forget to designate SAFE as your aviation charity when shopping Amazon Smile.
It costs you nothing
but helps advance SAFE's outreach to improve CFI professionalism. Sign up now at
http://smile.amazon.com
.
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David St. George, Executive Director
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