In light of concerns raised about recent changes to the FAA’s Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) knowledge test, the FAA recently announced that six test questions have been withdrawn. This action comes as a result of consultation with academics and others who have expertise in test writing and validation. According to an email from FAA’s Stanley Roberts, “the FAA intends to involve the flight training industry and academia in the process of developing future revisions to testing and guidance documents.” The email continued, “The FAA is also developing more detailed knowledge test guides to assist airmen and aviation instructors in preparing for knowledge exams.”

The announcement is consistent with key recommendations presented by SAFE to the Airman Testing Standards Branch (AFS 630) on April 20th, as well as recommendations made during the SAFE-chaired Pilot Training Reform Symposium on May 4-5.

FAA Should Notify Flight Training Industry Before Changing Test Questions

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) attended an annual review meeting hosted by the FAA Airman Testing Standards Branch (AFS 630) in Oklahoma City. According to the FAA, the purpose of the meeting was to “update and receive feedback from aviation industry representatives and education organizations on the current and future initiatives” of the testing branch.

The FAA recently made numerous changes to its test questions; subsequently, the test failure rate has risen significantly. In preparation for the meeting with AFS 630, SAFE conducted a survey of its members. Ninety-six percent of the 191 respondents were flight or ground instructors, 37% were Master Instructors, and 14% were Designated Pilot Examiners. Respondents had collectively provided more than three-quarters of a million hours of instruction, conducted nearly 12,000 check rides, and been involved in aviation education for a combined 3,600 years. By more than a 2-to-1 margin, these educators feel the FAA should notify the flight training industry before making changes to test questions.

SAFE issued a full report to the FAA that included eight recommendations to modernize and improve written testing. According to SAFE Chair Doug Stewart, “The people at AFS 630 were very receptive to our recommendations, and we look forward to working in partnership with the testing branch in the future.” A copy of the report is available on the SAFE website.

SAFE represents nearly 600 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including the majority of Master Instructors and numerous local and national General Aviation Award winners in the flight instruction, aviation maintenance, avionics, and FAA Safety Team categories. SAFE is also chairing the GA Pilot Training Reform Symposium in Atlanta on May 4-5, 2011.

END

“Go-Arounds” Created by Michael Phillips

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently delivered the third of eight planned “Seminar-in-a-Box” (SIB) products for use by the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam). Entitled Go-Arounds, the SIB was created by Master Instructor Michael Phillips, who has provided more than 4,900 hours of flight instruction, 2,000 of which have been in high performance aircraft. Pilot Workshops has also contributed two audio tips from aviation safety expert Bob Martens.

The FAA has identified loss of control during the initial climb as a top fatal accident category. According to Phillips, “The go-around might seem to be such a fundamental exercise, yet it can prove fatal if mishandled. We need to focus more attention on go-around decision making and piloting skills.” Other SAFE members have likewise volunteered to develop and present new CFI Forum topics.

The SIBs are designed to facilitate interactive discussion among instructors, examiners, and FAASTeam members on topics related to flight training and accident prevention. Prior to nationwide deployment, each SIB is reviewed and accepted by AFS-850. The next product being developed by SAFE will address takeoffs and landings.

Anyone interested in either developing or presenting a CFI Forum should contact SAFE Chair Doug Stewart.

The FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-11-17 on January 18, 2011 to clarify the definition of design maneuvering speed and its importance vis-à-vis airplane design limits. All pilots, but especially aviation educators need to understand that this speed is not a static value. By its very definition, an airplane’s design maneuvering speed is fluid, varying with weight. It is equally important to appreciate that design limits are fluid as well, and when listed, are applicable to a specific set of conditions.

Download the document now (PDF, 300 KB).

Multi-Part Answer Submitted to Four Government Entities

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) has submitted a detailed response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), Photo Requirements for Pilot Certificates (Docket No. FAA-2010-1127; Notice No. 2010-16). The response, prepared by SAFE member Robert Hadow, an instructor and flight school owner in NJ, was delivered to four government entities: Federal Aviation Administration; Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (Office of Management and Budget); Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Provided government projections are accurate, the rulemaking could cost $210 every time a new certificate is issued, including every time flight instructors renew their CFIs. In a survey conducted by SAFE, 97% of respondents oppose the NPRM (83% strongly oppose); 92% believe the added cost would have a negative impact on CFIs (86% highly negative); and 89% believe the added cost would result in fewer pilots seeking advanced certifications, with 80% concerned that this could have a negative impact on aviation safety.

SAFE has provided specific objections to the NPRM as well as alternative solutions. The critical recommendation made was to discontinue the proposal altogether, or at least to delay it until the FAA has developed a workable business process for issuance of airmen certificates that is secure and cost effective, and that provides operational benefits to airmen and anticipates technological developments. The complete SAFE response is available at http://www.SafePilots.org/documents/SAFE_Response_Photo_ID_NPRM.pdf.

SAFE represents more than 500 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including numerous local and national General Aviation Award winners in the flight instruction, aviation maintenance, avionics, and FAA Safety Team categories. SAFE is also chairing the GA Pilot Training Reform Symposium in Atlanta on May 4-5, 2011.

For more information:

NPRM – http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2010-1127-0001

SAFE – www.SafePilots.org, www.PilotTrainingReform.org

Four-Part Program is WINGS-Approved

Members of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently developed an online course for the FAA Safety Team entitled, Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). Night vision technologies can offer great safety enhancements for select nighttime flight operations. If not properly used, however, NVGs have the potential to cause accidents.

According to course content creator Pat Knight, who is a Master Instructor and Designated Pilot Examiner, “Operational use of NVGs should be undertaken only after pilots have received extensive ground and in-flight training with the equipment. The new course provides an important part of the overall training required.” The presentation incorporates a review of pilot vision with video incorporated from the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), including details of night vision, impairments of night vision, and principles of dark adaptation. The course explains the basic operation of NVGs, how they increase safety during nighttime missions, how an accident can occur when misusing or failing to use NVGs, the advantages and limitations of NVGs, and the operations, training, and currency requirements from the Code of Federal Regulations.

Master Instructor Russ Still of The Gold Seal Aviation Network packaged the content into the final product for use by the FAA Safety Team. The NVG course is divided into four parts: Introduction, Section One–Video, Section Two–Course Material, and Review/Exam. The course is available at FAASafety.gov.

SAFE represents more than 500 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including numerous local and national General Aviation Award winners in the flight instructor, aviation maintenance, avionics, and FAA Safety Team categories. SAFE is also chairing the GA Pilot Training Reform Symposium in Atlanta, GA on May 4-5, 2011.

For more information:

FAA Safety Team – www.FAASafety.gov

SAFE – www.SafePilots.org

SAFE Drafting a Response, Urges Others to do the Same

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) has taken a leadership role to address a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that could add up to $210 to the cost of pilot certificates. On November 19, 2010, the FAA issued an NPRM entitled, Photo Requirements for Pilot Certificates (Docket No. FAA-2010-1127; Notice No. 2010-16). Key elements in this NPRM and in other documents include:

• A proposed fee to the FAA of $50 per new certificate and $25 per replacement.
• A requirement that student pilots wait 6-8 weeks to get a certificate before solo.
• A claim that the new certificate fee represents no net cost to society.
• An assertion that the proposed photo procedure is “in the interest of reducing burdens on the certificate holder…”
• A claim that foreign pilots holding U.S. certificates would incur no additional travel expense as a result of having to visit a testing center, FSDO, or DPE.
• An FAA estimated total cost of $718.7 million to implement photo certificates.

Taking all associated costs into account (e.g., FAA and testing center fees, pilot time, photo and travel expenses, etc.), the FAA estimates the financial burden on pilots to be $210 per new certificate. Under the current NPRM, flight instructors will have the added burden of needing to procure a new, $210 photo certificate every two years when they renew their CFIs.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) now requires the FAA to issue pilot’s licenses with photographs. According to concerned SAFE member Robert Hadow, “The FAA has a legal reason to replace the certificate system for the second time in six years, and apparently sees this as an opportunity to increase fees and staffing.” A flight school owner and instructor, Hadow added, “The aviation community needs to get engaged in this issue to get something that works, rather than a regression to a paper-based 8710 system requiring a physical visit to a FSDO or testing center.”

Failing to respond to the NPRM is likely to result in a process that adds up to $210 every time a pilot certificate or flight instructor certificate is issued. General comments are due at the Department of Transportation on or before February 17, 2011; however, comments related to data collection and cost need to be submitted no later than January 18, 2011.

SAFE is preparing an official response to the NPRM based on input from its membership. Pilots, flight schools, and other aviation organizations are urged to weigh in on this issue before the appropriate due dates as well.

Read the NPRM – http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2010-1127-0001

Notice Number: NOTC2732

During this holiday season, the federal agencies tasked with protecting our nation’s skies are asking for your help. Though there is no specific threat, events since 9/11 remind us those who wish to do harm to America are persistent in their attempts to use aircraft as a desired method of attack. We ask you–as fellow air professionals–to partner with us and practice increased vigilance in and around our airports and aircraft throughout this holiday season. Please ensure your aircraft is secure. Additionally, pay close attention to your surroundings and report any suspicious aviation related activities to local authorities right away. Thanks again, Fly Safe and Happy Holidays from America’s Continental NORAD Region Air Operations Center, Tyndall AFB, FL.

Effective December 16, 2010

• The Wright Brothers Master Pilot award link and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award link have both been moved from an almost hidden menu item to the drop down menus under the Pilot’s tab or the Maintenance Hangar tab, as appropriate, on the home page. Now they are easy to find!
• The Activity History link for users has been moved from the Pilot’s tab to the Courses, Seminars & Activities tab, a more intuitive location.
• The appearance of the My WINGS page has been modified (after input from users) to be more clear. Information and links are now easier to find.
• The Airman Profile has been renamed WINGS and/or AMT Profile. This makes it clearer that users should only check those items they plan to utilize in the WINGS and/or AMT programs, and not list all the certificates and ratings they hold.
• On the Recent Validator’s List, when a user is requesting validation of a request for WINGS credit, there is now an option to view all validators ever used or just those used within the last 60 days.
• We discovered a weakness in the WINGS system that allowed users to get duplicate credit for some activities. We have adjusted those accounts with duplicate credit and provided safeguards to ensure it does not happen in the future.
• There were a few instances where credits expired exactly 365 days after being earned. We have corrected that to match the FAA-standard expiration at the end of a calendar month.
• We have installed a new software package that will allow us to analyze in much greater detail the activity on FAASafety.gov, thereby helping us provide a better product to our users. You will notice some new page titles to help with this project.
• We have made it more obvious that seaplane-rated pilots can earn a set of nice-looking Sea Wings pins.
• On the FAASTeam Representative’s portal on the Home page, there is now a link for distinctive FAASTeam Representative clothing.
• We’ve changed the Subject line in emails to make them more easily recognized and understood. This will help users see at a glance the subject matter of the email. This was requested by a user.
• If a user cannot print a completion certificate for a course, check the My Courses page to see if there is a duplicate entry for the same course – one completed within the last 90 days and one not completed. If so, withdraw from the one that is not completed and that should fix the problem.
• There is a new graphic on the AMT information page that ties in with the graphic on the www.faa.gov home page.
• A problem discovered by a user allowed users to complete a third party online course and not be “enrolled” on FAASafety.gov. In this case, the credit was never attached to the user’s account. This problem has been fixed, but only if the user already has an account on FAASafety.gov.