SAFE eNews The Monthly Bulletin of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators

SAFE is a 501(c)(3) educational, not-for-profit professional organization building aviation educator excellence and aviation safety. Our more than 2,600 members include many of the best-known, best-credentialed and most experienced CFIs and many FAA Designated Pilot Examiners. Join SAFE now Give 2 SAFE

Restarting Flight Training (Safely) Resources for the "New Normal" with COVID-19

Aviation has obviously suffered a huge blow with this pandemic. With airline activity down 95% and most schools shuttered, this impacts the whole flight training pipeline. Aviation training and careers have gone from the "best of times" for CFIs and pilots to absolutely the worst in a few short months. The rebound is starting with many schools opening May 1st, and here are all the resources we have to help! The FAA issued an SAFR this week, extending most of the regulatory and training deadlines (your medical, flight review, written test, etc). As we start to train again, it is critical to remember that the COVIDthreat is still real and dangerous. The most common error will be falling back into old habits and minimizing this disease or letting down your guard. We have to carefully embrace the "new normal" and develop new techniques for training safely. The restarting of flight training needs to be built up progressively. Step one is educating staff and ensuring they are serious about new CV-19 SOPs. Your staff reaction will probably vary from "still not flying" to "what is the problem dude?" As with all successful interventions, training and supervision are critical for safe operations and to ensure staff "buy-in" and compliance. Here are some "best practices" from the FAA, CDC and our industry to help with your reopening to prevent infection. Pilots are savvy "risk managers" but the enemy of any significant change in operations is "habit" and "business as usual." Building new procedures for your school and embracing the "new normal" requires new SOPs. SAFE will continually provide resources as new information is received. The comprehensive manual here is thanks to FSANA. Some schools have continued to operate safely throughout this pandemic (with no new infections). Remember, one COVID case and you are shut down in this new world. AOPA state-by-state summary of COVID restrictions Critical Infrastructure List includes flight schools! (vary by location) New FAA SAFO on Flight Crew Operations with COVID CDC guidelines for all operations. CDC on disinfecting procedures. FAA COVID website on extensions and changes to pilot testing/training requirements The real hazard of COVID is the asymptomatic transmission (people don't even know they are sick and are spreading the disease!) Here is a thorough manual some schools have used successfully to operate and provide comfort and confidence to your clients/pilots. COVID Response Guide Here is the guidance from Garmin on sanitizing avionics (avoid ammonia) Here is a YouTube on sanitizing the airplane. Each plane grounded, cleaned then released after each flight! Other ideas for safety, depending on your operation: Have each student and instructor sign a form indicating that they have not traveled by commercial air, have had a temp over 100, been in contact with anyone who has COVID or exhibited symptoms all within the past 14 days. PPE (mask) for each occupant, no sharing of any personal items (even pens)! Limit random "outside" access to aircraft: no IPCs, Intros, and flight reviews (without very careful screening) Temperature check before every flight (get a point and shoot thermometer) I personally never thought this would be part of my flight kit! Both student and instructor must elect to fly by their choice, no pressure. CFI and student must wash hands before and after each flight Both must bring and wear masks from the time they enter our office to the time they depart after their lesson. Please share your ideas and comments with us to help everyone be safer! David St.G.

SAFE Learning Resources: Weekly Blog Learn The Cooper Code Of Awareness

In its free SAFE Blog in April, executive director David St. George presents a method to stay vigilant and avoid the "fat. dumb and happy" flying syndrome. It's the " Cooper Color Code Of Awareness" for aviators, which provides a way for pilots to tune up their awareness. "It's only self-discipline that enforces a higher level of awareness and keeps us re-engaging our "what if" thinking for critical phases of flight," writes St. George. "And you can practice that this method every day in every situation, without even flying."

'East Coast IFR Experience' Fly With Doug Stewart for $68. SAFE has arranged with Community Aviation and Doug Stewart for a generous "quarantine discount" for more than 38 hours of IFR video instructional flight time. Doug's famous IFR training experience down the east coast was carefully documented and is presented in digestible 20-minute chunks with briefings, charts and suggested simulator scenarios. This is an amazing "instructor in a box" pilot improvement course. East Coast IFR Experience is being released to SAFE members for only $68 during the coronavirus pandemic The retail price is $168.00. If you flew this it would cost thousands and take a week or your time. Enter code "SAFE80" for the $68 price. This offer is limited to SAFE members only.

TSA: CFI Records/Endorsements Still Required!

It is easy to forget your required annual TSA training (also verifying passports and endorsing all your students) but the fines for TSA non-compliance are very steep! TSA’s annual outreach to CFIs Notice Number: NOTC0089 April 2020 Dear Certified Flight Instructor: On September 20, 2004, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued 49 C.F.R part 1552, Flight Training for Aliens and Other Designated Individuals; Security Awareness Training for Flight School Employees. This regulation requires aliens seeking flight training to submit specific information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order for DHS to determine whether or not the individual is a threat to civil aviation or national security; requires flight training providers to verify that an individual is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a U.S. Department of Defense endorsee prior to providing flight training; requires initial and recurrent Security Awareness Training for certain designated individuals; and prohibits flight training providers from providing flight training to individuals who have been identified as a threat to civil aviation or national security. 1 According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, you are listed as a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) under 14 C.F.R. Part 61. This letter is to remind you of the requirements outlined above that may be applicable to the flight training you provide, and to let you know whom you may contact should you have any questions. TSA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) have several online resources available that provide guidance on 49 C.F.R. Part 1552 at the following web sites: •e-CFR (search for 49 C.F.R. Part 1552): https://ecfr.io/Title-49/pt49.9.1552 •TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP):https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/home/provider •AOPA’s Security Awareness Training: http://flash.aopa.org/asf/gasecurity/gasecurity.cfm? Gleim Publications annual TSA training here; read a couple pdfs and done! If you have any questions please contact the TSA at  FTP@tsa.dhs.gov. When sending an email message, please include your name and airport address (to include city and state) for which you provide flight training.

New FAA WINGS is on the Way! We Need Your Help; Please Take The Survey

As veteran CFIs already know, the FAASTeam's excellent WINGS pilot proficiency safety program is a bit cumbersome and underutilized. "Underutilized is far too generous," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "Many pilots aren't even aware that WINGS exists. I'd sure like to know why that is." Now, you can tell the FAA why, and perhaps provide a clue why even 10 yearly CFI prizes totaling $10,000 haven't helped, by taking the FAA's survey for CFIs on WINGS participation. A 2011 FAA report prepared by the FAASTeam Outreach Program Manager Bryan Neville showed pilots who complete a phase of WINGS are less likely to have an accident. However, it could not establish causality between the WINGS program and accident record results. Take the FAA's survey on WINGS participation in your experience as a CFI. The survey was assembled by the FAA's WINGS Usabiility Working Group, an industry-government council that will evaluate the results and issue suggestions on how to increase participation in the WINGS program. WIAC is one of the members of the group, along with SAFE, NAFI, FSANA, EAA, GAMA and APT.

ForeFlight Savings for SAFE Members > $100! ForeFlight Offers 1/3 Off All Subscriptions (more than dues!)

Verified SAFE regular members can save up to $133.31 per year on annual Foreflight subscription plans and NavCanada charts. The leading navigation software supplier offers SAFE members one-third off the cost of any ForeFlight navigation subscription. This discount will be applied immediately ( even if you just subscribed or renewed) ForeFlight, a long-time SAFE supporter, is imposing no special requirements for the $100+ value other being a SAFE member.

Flight School Guidance Issued

AOPA has released updated guidance for flight schools and individual instructors grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. Topics include how to cope with state mandates, sanitary practices and more. SAFE will keep members informed of critical developments for CFIs and flight schools as this fluid situation continues.

NATA Issues FBO COVID-19 Guides

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the membership association for fixed base operators and other aviation businesses has issued guidance for FBOs and ground handlers as they face the growing COVID-19 spread. Above all, the organization noted, workers who are sick or have been exposed to the virus must not report to work, an expectation that management must effectively communicate to its employees on a continuous basis. Businesses should establish contingency plans for all critical operations, including fuel receipt, fueling, towing, CSR, and accounting operations. For the full story in AIN Online, click here.

AOPA's Baker Reports On C19 "We Hope To Have Something To Tell You Soon"

In a late April video interview with AOPA President Mark Baker, the advocacy organization president had little to report on the industry efforts to gain exemptions from mandates, except to say, "we're waiting to hear." The interview is on YouTube. He said government is stressed now and it will take time to gain official FAA recognition of the effect of the virus and lockdown orders on currency requirements, medicals, aircraft annuals and dozens of other government requirements. AOPA has long been the primary GA advocacy organization in Washington political circles, and SAFE often supports the organization's actions. A list of current FAA COVID-19 "Temporary Policy Deviation Memos" was posted by SAFE for the latest information available.

SAFE CFI-PRO™ Workshop Postponed But Sporty's eFIRC Is Now FREE!

SAFE's next two-day CFI-PRO™ workshop, set for Batavia OH at Sporty's Pilot Shop in June, has been postponed. The clinic will be held later, potentially Palo Alto in the fall or maybe "virtualized." All paid pre-registrants have been refunded, stand-by for more news soon. Fortunately, Sporty's Pilot Shop - the long-time SAFE supporter hosting SAFE's CFI-PRO, is offering CFIs Sporty's eFlight Instructor Refresher Course (eFIRC) for the unbeatable price of FREE, as the virus epidemic runs its course.

"Hal Shevers has always been one of the good guys in aviation," said SAFE Executive Director David St George. "And now when so many CFIs are lacking an income, he's made their eFIRC free. Can we all say, thank you, Hal?"

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3972 Accidents; 8052 Lives Weather Cause Of 35% Of Fatals An article in April's IFR Magazine revealed some startling statistics on weather acc idents, including the fact that they account for 35% of all fatal GA accidents. The 31-year study period from 1982 to 2013 saw 3972 accidents and 8052 lives lost in GA weather accidents. The article points to 1982 as a particularly grim year, with with an average of three crashes and two fatalities per day from weather. "But it's been better since," opined SAFE Executive Director David St George, who noted that there has been a fourfold drop in those numbers since 1982, said "SAFE members, professional pilot educators, are one big reason its better now." SAFE Has Single-Point Update A short URL makes all of SAFE's latest industry news available in one spot. "One stop shopping," said Kevin D Murphy, SAFE Communications Director. "Anything that warrants information for CFIs and the flight training industry will show up in SAFE news, either by a SAFE Tweet, the SAFE Facebook page or the SAFE Instagram account." The URL is bit.ly/SAFEnow and displays SAFE news from all media instantly. Murphy urged SAFE members to use the enforced idle time to keep up with trends, especially seeking details hinting at what the future of flight training will be. Will Flight Training Return? A Plane-And-Pilot Mag Article Says Yes An opinion column in an April issue of Plane and Pilot magazine is giving hope that flight training will return stronger and better after the Covid-19 virus rampage ends. The column, written by Patrick Amzen, CEO of aviation training firm Thrust Flight in Addison TX, notes that the recovery of commercial flying after the 9/11 tragedy in 2001 took only two years and opines that pilot hiring will return soon. Regional and Major airlines are still continuing to interview pilots and that some are continuing their 'cadet' programs at partnered flight schools. "I hope he's right," said SAFE executive director David St George.

"The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer." FAA Administrator Jane Garvey SAFE Blog on Master Qualification

Master Instructor Achievements

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.

Michael C. Demulling , MCFI

Michael C. Demulling of New Richmond, WI, a 10-time Master and a  SAFE  member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation through the Master Instructors LLC MICEP program  https://MICEP.FluidReview.com/  Mike has managed New Richmond Regional Airport ( www.NRAirport.com )  for the past 25 years, serves as the chief pilot for East Metro Jet Center, and is a volunteer pilot for the Saint Croix County Sheriff's Department. Additionally, he operates Mike Demulling Flight Instruction where he specializes in primary, instrument, recurrent, and Aerostar flight and ground training.

Kyle Vincent Thomas , MCFI

Kyle Vincent Thomas of Durant, Oklahoma, has been designated Master Certificated Flight Instructor (MCFI) for the eighth time. Kyle is a Designated Pilot Examiner and Chief Flight Instructor and Associate Professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he has taught for 24 years, logging more than 4,000 hours as a flight instructor for private, commercial and instrument training.