SAFE Executive Director Doug Stewart has been busy, and here’s an update on SAFE activities over the past few months:
Pilot Proficiency Project -
Redbird has asked that we conduct the PPP at SNF and will provide a seminar area in their new and expanded display area along with an FMX simulator “painted” in PPP colors. They will also help promote the event on their website, and will provide sim instructors and seminar presenters with admission wrist bands.
SAFE Response to Notice of Policy Change – The SAFE response to the Notice of Policy Change relative the use of Aviation Training Devices that was posted in the Federal Register on 01/01/2014 was the first response. The FAA received a total of 104 responses, overwhelmingly opposing the policy change. SAFE led the charge, resulting in a lot of positive publicity. As a result of the outpouring of opposition to the change, the Notice is in abeyance, and the FAA is working on a new NPRM that effectively addresses the importance of the use of ATDs in flight training.
SCF/PPWG – I attended the first meeting of the System and Component Failure/Powerplant Work Group held 1/28 - 30. This work group, chartered by the GAJSC, is following the work of the first two Loss of Control Work Groups in providing a detailed data-based study of fatal accident causality in the GA fleet. Five more meetings are planned throughout the year to complete this study. The second was held in Dallas 3/11 – 13.
ACSWG – I have responded to the call for volunteers to serve on the Airman Certification Standards Work Group, which was published in the Federal Register. This work group will continue the work started by the Airman Testing & Training ARACWG that created the report recommending the FAA’s adoption of the newly proposed ACS. One of the major responsibilities of this industry/agency work group will be the “boarding” of questions for knowledge tests. Nine SAFE members have been appointed to this Work Group.
Sun ‘n Fun Breakfast – Date and time: Thursday April 3, 8 to 9 a.m. The breakfast will be sponsored by Piper, Starr Aviation and Aviation Insurance Resources. I have secured the SNF event tent for the breakfast. The menu will consist of: Bagels and cream cheese; Large blueberry and carrot muffins; Donut holes; cut pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and watermelon; red & green grapes; Bananas; Apples; Assorted individual cereals; Assorted fruit yogurts; Orange, Apple and Cranberry juices; coffee. The breakfast will provide great opportunities to not only meet other SAFE members, but also to network with many invited guests from both industry and the FAA. Guests who have indicated they will be attending include: Simon Caldecott, President of Piper; Alan Schrader, President of Lightspeed; Pete Bunce, President of GAMA; Matt Zucarro, President of HAI; James Viola, manager of AFS 800; Valerie Palazola, manager of AFS 850; Hal Shevers; John and Martha King; Robert Goyer; Ben Sclair, along with many others.
SAFE Mention in FAA SAFETY BRIEF – SAFE got some good publicity in the CHECKLIST article written by Susan Parson. Check it out here.
PEGASAS Invitation – We have been invited by PEGASAS, (The Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability) to become an industry partner stakeholder. See article in this issue written by PEGASAS’s Steve Cusick, a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Upcoming Meetings/Projects
SAFE Pilot Proficiency Project, 4/1 – 4/5 SNF
SAFE Annual Sun ‘n Fun Breakfast, 4/3
Monthly AFS800/Associations telecon 3rd Wednesday of the month
SCF/PP WG meeting, 4/29 – 5/1, Phoenix, AZ
ACSWG Weekly Telecons
NTSB Safety Seminar, 5/10NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA
ACSWG Face to face meeting, 5/21 – 22, Wash, DC
PEGASAS Annual Meeting 06/4 – 5, Atlanta, GA
-Doug Stewart, Executive Director