Avionics News July 2013 - 66

GENERAL AVIATION SAFETY
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ways to improve the quality of general aviation airman
knowledge, computer testing supplements, guides, practical
test standards and training handbooks. The ARC also
considered how to develop test questions that incorporate
expert input and review while balancing the need to
safeguard test integrity. The ARC’s report is available
online at www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs. To implement
key ARC recommendations, the FAA tasked an Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee Working Group in August
2012 to develop integrated airman certification standards
documents, guidance, and test materials for the private pilot
and instructor certificates and instrument ratings.
Safety Standdowns. In 2011, the FAA launched a fiveyear initiative on education and outreach. The FAA Safety
Team (www.faasafety.gov) or “FAASTeam” is devoted to
decreasing aircraft accidents by promoting a cultural change
in the aviation community through education and training.
The FAASTeam focuses on teamwork and instruction on
the use of risk management tools. In 2012, the FAASTeam
held 93 safety standdown events across the country to reach
general aviation pilots and mechanics. There have been
97 events thus far in 2013. Several FAA employees and
thousands of volunteer safety representatives participated.
The FAASTeam continues outreach through online courses,
local seminars and awards programs.
Topics in 2012 included:
• Positive Flight Attitude – Professionalism should
characterize every action a pilot takes. Approach every
flight as if your life depends on it, because it does.
• Going Beyond Preflight – A proper preflight is
crucial. It’s more than using a checklist; a good
preflight should test how well you know your
aircraft and its systems.
• En Route Cruise – Avoid complacency, stay ahead
of the aircraft, plan for the unplanned, and always –
always – maintain situational awareness.
• Maneuvering Flight – Attention to airspeed is
critical. Loss of control in maneuvering flight often
results from inattention to airspeed.
In 2013, the FAASTeam will continue to present
information sessions to the general aviation
community with particular focus on human error
and loss of control.
• Online Resources. The FAASTeam’s website at
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www.faasafety.gov is a good resource for pilots to
help improve their skills and knowledge. The site
hosts the FAA WINGS pilot proficiency program.
It also contains online pilot training materials and
includes courses to help a pilot avoid the pitfalls
of VFR flight into instrument meteorological
conditions. Pilots, flight instructors and mechanics
are encouraged to register online.
Amateur-Built Airplanes. Amateur-built and other
experimental aircraft, the fastest growing segment of
general aviation, were involved in 22 percent of U.S.
fatal general aviation accidents during the past five
years and account for an estimated 5 percent of total
general aviation fleet hours. “Loss of control” remains
the leading cause of fatal accidents involving amateurbuilt aircraft. The FAA published Airmen Transition
to Experimental or Unfamiliar Airplanes (Advisory
Circular 90-109) based on recommendations from
the Amateur-Built Flight Standardization Board.
The AC provides guidance and training experience
recommendations to owners, pilots and flight
instructors who fly experimental airplanes.
Certificated Flight Instructors. The FAA has been
working with the flight instructor community
to improve GA safety through improved flight
instructor training, most notably recurrent training.
In December 2010, the FAA met with industry
sponsors of Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics and
published updated guidance materials.
Aviation Universities and Experts. Working through
the Aviation Accreditation Board International
and the University Aviation Association, the
FAA is partnering with the aviation academic
community to leverage their expertise and develop
best practices for improving flight training. As a
first step, the FAA and AABI co-chaired an FAA/
Academia Symposium in conjunction with AABI’s
July 2011 Industry-Educator Forum. Results
were presented at the September 2011 UAA Fall
Education Conference and at the February 2012
AABI Winter Meeting. These meetings provided a
springboard for identifying specific nonregulatory
measures that can be used to improve flight
training and reduce accidents.

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http://www.faasafety.gov http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs http://www.faasafety.gov

Avionics News July 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News July 2013