One Incumbent, Two New Directors Chosen

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently announced the results of its annual election to fill three seats on its nine-member Board of Directors. Incumbent Arlynn McMahon, along with new Directors Susan Archer and Jack Vandeventer have been elected to three-year terms. McMahon is the 2009 National Flight Instructor of the Year and currently serves as Chief Mentor in support of SAFE’s Aviation Educator Mentoring Program. New Director Susan Archer has served as an aircraft maintenance manager and an aviation facilities engineer. She currently serves as lead teacher for the Aerospace Technology Academy at First Coast High School as well as Chair of the Florida Consortium for Aerospace Career Education. Jack Vandeventer is a Charter member of SAFE, four-time Master Instructor, and business consultant with worldwide experience. He serves on SAFE’s Mentoring Program committee as well.

According to Governance Committee Chair Sherry Rossiter, “We had a field of seven exceptional candidates running for three Board positions, which undoubtedly made for some tough decisions by our members. We thank all of the candidates for their desire to further improve SAFE’s standing as a World Class organization, and we congratulate the three Board members on their election.”

Incoming Directors will commence their new terms at the annual SAFE dinner-meeting held during AirVenture. SAFE is the only organization representing aviation educators where the entire Board of Directors is openly elected by the membership. Terms are staggered, with three seats expiring annually.

Focus should be on Proficiency & Airmanship Skills, not Flight Hours

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently submitted a response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), “Pilot Certification and Qualification Requirements for Air Carrier Operations” (Docket No. FAA-2010-0100; Notice No. 12-01). The four-page response was formulated based on input solicited from SAFE’s nearly 700 members and addresses four central questions:

1. Should all pilots who transport passengers be required to hold an air transport pilot (ATP) certificate with the appropriate aircraft category, class, and type ratings?
2. Should the FAA permit academic credit in lieu of required flight hours or experience?
3. Should the FAA establish a new commercial pilot certificate endorsement that would address concerns about the operational experience of newly hired commercial pilots, require additional flight hours, and possibly credit academic training?
4. Would an air-carrier-specific authorization on an existing pilot certificate improve safety?

Although SAFE provides justifications for its position, the short answer to the above was an unequivocal “no” on issues 1, 3, and 4, and a “no” on issue 2 unless academic experience can demonstrably produce equally or more proficient pilots.

The response also states that SAFE “strongly endorses the concept of continuing and expanding the focus on more meaningful check rides and recurrent training.” Moreover, the organization recommends that each training period “should end with appropriate evaluations designed to determine the level of retention and integration of the material trained, as opposed to a pilot’s ability to simply meet minimum criteria.”

Founded in 2009, the SAFE membership includes many of the industry’s top aviation educators as well as numerous local, regional, and national General Aviation Awards winners. The full SAFE response is available online at http://www.SafePilots.org/documents/SAFE_Response_ATP_Certification_NPRM.pdf.

Ronald VandenDungen from Alberta, Canada is the Winner

Lakeland, FL—On Saturday, March 31st, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) held the drawing for a flight in Stallion 51′s P-51TF, The LITTLE Witch. Standing beside the airplane at Sun-n-Fun, Stallion 51′s Lee Lauderback randomly drew the winning ticket from a bin containing more than 1,000 tickets.

As the winner, VandenDungen will not only help to create the flight’s mission profile, but will also be given the opportunity to do most of the flying. The session will include two hours of pre- and post-flight briefings, plus one hour in the aircraft with a Stallion 51 instructor.

Congratulations Ronald VandenDungen!

Stallion 51 Owner/Chief Pilot Lee Lauderback (l.) holds up the winning ticket beside SAFE Executive Director Doug Stewart (r.)

Organizations will Promote Safety in Commercial Human Spaceflight

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Orbital Commerce Project (OCP). The purpose of the agreement is “to promote safety in the Commercial Human Spaceflight industry through excellence in training and education.” The two organizations will team up on initiatives that include:

• Working with the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA/AST) to develop the framework for spaceflight educator certification
• Developing recognized levels of achievement and spaceflight educator proficiency
• Creating courses and teaching materials to advance spaceflight education
• Promoting “safety through training” to the Commercial Human Spaceflight Industry
• Developing unusual attitude and G-tolerance courses

During recent testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee regarding the FY2013 budget for the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation, the Office’s Associate Administrator stated that he expects space tourism to begin within the next two years and grow into a billion dollar industry within ten years.

OCP CEO George Tyson commented, “We are excited about working with SAFE. SAFE’s mission to provide quality education for Flight Educators will combine and enhance OCP’s desire to continually improve and update our training programs.” He continued, “This powerful partnership will enhance the skills of the Flight Instructors and therefore increase safety for the flying public.”

SAFE represents nearly 700 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including numerous local, regional, and national General Aviation Awards winners.

FMI: http://www.SafePilots.org/, http://www.orbitalcommerceproject.com/, http://www.blacksky.aero/

Drawing to be held at noon on Saturday, March 31st on the Warbird Ramp

In cooperation with Stallion 51 of Kissimmee, FL, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) is offering donors a shot at an introductory flight in the dual-control P-51TF Mustang, The LITTLE Witch. Valued at $3,250, the session includes two hours of pre- and post-flight briefings, plus one hour in the aircraft with a Stallion 51 instructor.

This year’s Sun-n-Fun also launches Stallion 51′s Silver Jubilee commemoration, with Friday, March 30th designated as “Stallion 51 Day” during the fly-in. At 1200 EDT on Saturday, March 31st, Owner and Chief Pilot of Stallion 51 Lee Lauderback will randomly select the winner of the P-51 flight on the Warbird Ramp beside The LITTLE Witch. A limited number of tickets are still available through the SAFE website. The winner will not only help to create the flight’s mission profile, but will also be given the opportunity to do most of the flying.

SAFE represents nearly 700 of the industry’s top aviation educators in 49 states and nine foreign countries. The organization offers a needs-based mentoring program as well as a premier CFI Liability Insurance program, and is leading the Pilot Training Reform Initiative. SAFE is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

FMI: www.safepilots.org/little-witch-p51-raffle/

$1,000 Goes to Aviation Educator from Lakewood, OH

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship during the Women in Aviation International (WAI) Conference held in Dallas, TX. SAFE Chair Mark Adams presented the scholarship to instructor and WAI member Lynda Meeks.

After serving in the army and flying for a fractional airline, Meeks began a new career as a ground and flight instructor. She also founded Girls with Wings, Inc., a non-profit educational organization that promotes interest in aviation among girls, after overhearing a girl on an airline flight ask, “Mom, how come you never hear girl pilots?”

According to SAFE Director Dr. Donna Wilt, “We had many outstanding applicants for this year’s scholarship, but Lynda Meeks stood out as an aviation educator who is energized by the mentoring and teaching she provides to young girls and flight students, and by the work she does with aviation organizations.” A SAFE member as well, Meeks plans to use the money to become a CFII.

The annual SAFE scholarship is open to WAI members who are aviation educators. A committee of independent judges selects the recipients, and the funds are used to further instructional credentials, knowledge, or skills. SAFE represents nearly 700 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including numerous local, regional, and national General Aviation Awards winners.

The Envelope Please: Lynda Meeks receives her scholarship from SAFE Chair Mark Adams

And Cessna Renews Its Sponsorship of the SAFE Website

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently announced the addition of Redbird Flight Simulations as a Gold-level Corporate Member. Simultaneously, Cessna has renewed its exclusive sponsorship of the SAFE website.

SAFE Executive Director Doug Stewart commented, “We have worked with both Redbird and Cessna on a number of projects over the years, and are excited that these outstanding organizations are continuing to invest in SAFE’s mission.” SAFE offers four levels of corporate/group membership. In addition to other corporate member benefits, Redbird will be listed as a sponsor of SAFE’s monthly eNews, while Cessna will continue as sponsor of the organization’s website.

SAFE represents nearly 700 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including numerous local, regional, and national General Aviation Awards winners. SAFE is also leading the Pilot Training Reform Initiative.

Presentation Covers Takeoff and Initial Climb

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) recently delivered another in its series of twelve “Seminar-in-a-Box” (SIB) products for use by the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam). The SIBs are designed to facilitate interactive discussion among instructors, examiners, and FAASTeam members on topics related to flight training and accident prevention. They further encourage the sharing of best practices in an effort to reduce the fatal accident rate.

Entitled Takeoff and Initial Climb, the latest seminar goes beyond teaching to the minimum requirements of the practical test and addresses the responsibilities that flight instructors incur, as well as the opportunities they have, to inculcate a safety mentality in the earliest stages of flight instruction.

Prior to nationwide deployment, each SIB is reviewed and accepted by AFS-850. Takeoff and Initial Climb follows the current quarterly topic, Training in Experimental/Amateur Built Aircraft, which was also developed by SAFE members. The next forum in the series will address Controlled Flight Into Terrain. SAFE represents nearly 700 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including the majority of Master Instructors as well as numerous local, regional, and national General Aviation Awards winners.

FMI: http://www.SafePilots.org/ and http://www.FAASafety.gov

The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee identified loss of control–inflight (LOC-I) as the number one cause of fatal general aviation accidents over the last decade. Consequently, this year’s FAASTeam Safety Standdown offers a multi-layered approach to help pilots reduce the risk of an inflight loss of control. The recently videotaped program is hosted by FAA Research Psychologist Dr. Katrina Avers and includes interviews with FAA Director of Flight Standards John Allen, accident survivor Barry Hyde, and three loss of control subject matter experts (SMEs).

The heart of the program looks at four actual scenarios from the perspectives of aircraft preflight, aeronautical decision-making, and stick and rudder skills. FAA Airworthiness expert Steve Keesey addresses aircraft preflight issues and introduces the FAA’s new Advanced Preflight Program. Dr. Janeen Kochan and CFI Rich Stowell are SMEs representing the light airplane industry: Kochan, a Human Factors Research Scientist and Designated Pilot Examiner, discusses aeronautical decision-making issues; Stowell, a seven-time Master Instructor and the 2006 National Flight Instructor of the Year, talks about techniques for recovering from loss of control events. Both are members of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators.

According to the FAASTeam’s Kevin Clover, “This program is incredibly rich with practical information, and includes natural breaks where program participants can engage in discussion before moving on to the next scenario.” He added, “This is the best Standdown program the FAA has produced to date.”

The 2012 Safety Standdown will debut at Sun-n-Fun on March 31st followed by presentations at more than 90 locations across the country in April. Feature articles by the on-camera talent will also appear in the March/April edition of FAA Safety Briefing magazine, and additional resources will be made available on FAASafety.gov.

FMI: http://www.FAASafety.gov

Fly the P-51 Mustang The Little Witch!  Only 2,000 tickets will be sold, so the odds of winning this incredible flight, valued at $3250, are pretty good. The drawing will be held at noon on Saturday, March 31, 2012, during Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, FL, just a short drive from Stallion 51 headquarters. You do not have to be present to win.

Go to SAFE’s online store and purchase your ticket(s) for a chance to win the flight of a lifetime!

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