Substantive Recommendations Offered in 12-page Document

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) has submitted a comprehensive response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), Air Ambulance and Commercial Helicopter Operations… (Docket No. FAA–2010–0982; Notice No. 10–13). In addition to input from other members, the principle authors of the response included SAFE members Mike Coligny, a five-time Master Instructor, and Randy Rowles, the country’s first Master Instructor-Helicopter and chair of the Helicopter Association International Flight Training Committee.

SAFE has offered numerous recommendations in support of and in opposition to aspects of the helicopter NPRM. For example, SAFE supports the mandate that all pilots who conduct Air Medical operations must hold an instrument rating appropriate to the category/class aircraft they fly.  On the other hand, SAFE does not believe the FAA should mandate Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS) in lieu of other proven technologies such as Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS, e.g., night vision goggles). The complete response is available at www.SafePilots.org/documents/SAFE_Response_Helicopter_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 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.

ANN’s Paul Plack talks with SAFE Chair Doug Stewart about some of the issues facing the flight training community, and about SAFE’s related GA Pilot Training Reform Symposium planned for May 4-5, 2011 in Atlanta, GA.

Listen to Podcast (13-1/2 minutes)

Visit Symposium website

Four Nominees Vying for Three Seats

Elections to fill three of SAFE’s nine Director positions are scheduled to run May 15-25, 2010. Detailed information about the election process will soon be made available to members via e-mail. In the meantime, please take a few minutes to learn about this year’s candidates for your Board.

The entire SAFE Board of Directors is democratically elected by the membership.

Congratulations Phil!

Congratulations Mike!

SAFE Partners Come Through Again in 2010

Several key SAFE partners have stepped forward again this year to provide great prizes and premiums during the upcoming Sun-N-Fun Fly-in in Lakeland, FL. Take advantage of these wonderful opportunities:

Zulu ANR Headset Giveaway — Open to all aviation educators!

• Participate in the “Communications Quiz” during Sun-n-Fun for a chance to win a new Zulu ANR headset sponsored by Lightspeed Aviation and valued at $850!
• The winner of the Zulu headset will be chosen at random from those who score 100% on the quiz
• Stop by the SAFE booth for details — Booth E-6, near the Trade-a-Plane Hangar “A”

Other Great Sun-n-Fun Premiums — Exclusively for SAFE Members!
When you join SAFE or renew your membership during Sun-n-Fun, you’ll be eligible to receive coupons for great premiums from the following SAFE partners:

• Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.
  • FREE Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic
  • Bring your coupon and purchase receipt to Hangar “B”, Booth #59 to receive your FREE FIRC from ASA (valued at $124.95)
• Gleim Publications, Inc.
  • FREE Private Pilot Syllabus & Hat, plus a Special FIRC Discount
  • Bring your coupon and purchase receipt to Hangar “B”, Booth 38-39 to receive your FREE premiums and discount from Gleim
• Sporty’s
  • FREE AirFacts DVD, “Flying Weather” & a copy of Volume 1 of Sporty’s Complete Pilot Training Course
  • Bring your coupon and purchase receipt to Hangar “C”, Booth 90-91 to receive your FREE DVDs from Sporty’s
  • SAFE members — give Sporty’s your business cards when you pick up your DVDs and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a complete set of Sporty’s AirFacts DVDs (35 titles on 9 DVDs, valued at $99)

For a map to SAFE’s booth, to sign up for the SAFE Sun-n-Fun breakfast, or to see the schedule of seminars given by SAFE members, stop by the SAFE at SNF 2010 page.

Second Cycle as a Master Instructor-Aerobatic

Gordon K. Penner, a member of SAFE as well as the International Aerobatic Club, recently renewed his Master CFI-Aerobatic accreditation with Master Instructors LLC. Gordon is an independent flight instructor specializing in aerobatic, tailwheel, and glider instruction at Red Stewart Airfield (40I) in Waynesville, OH, and Caesar Creek Gliderport (2OH9).  He also serves as a FAASTeam representative in the FAA’s Cincinnati FSDO area.

Flew 7500+ miles as part of relief effort

We returned from Haiti a week or so ago, and I’ve been playing catch-up ever since. The trip was both amazing and exhausting. We burned 650 gallons of 100LL and moved 1700 pounds of medical supplies along with a missionary and a surgeon. Most of the details are on the website, www.flightassist.org along with photos and videos.

There is still a tremendous need for help in Haiti, so we may try to return in the fall with a group of volunteers to assist with a specific need.

AvWeb Podcast Features SAFE Charter Member

Radek Wyrzykowski, recipient of the SAFE 2009 Outstanding Contribution and Service Award for creating SAFE’s first generation website, has also developed a volunteer mentor program to help instrument pilots improve their proficiency — and pilots love it! When a web site launched and offered to help others start local chapters, it took off “like a storm,” Wyrzykowski says. He talks with AVweb’s Mary Grady about how the IMC Clubs work, who can benefit from them, and how to start a chapter at your airport.

Listen to the Podcast (File Size 8.8 MB / Running Time 9:34)

Allan J. Skramstad, a seven-time Master CFI and SAFE Charter Member, was recently granted Master Instructor Emeritus status in recognition of his many years of commitment to excellence, professional growth, service to the aviation community, and quality aviation education. Skramstad, a University of North Dakota associate professor emeritus, recently retired from UND and is currently serving as a FAASTeam lead representative in the FAA’s Fargo FSDO area.

Congratulations Al!