The final FAA rule for the proposed new student pilot certificates was issued in the Federal Register today. Fortunately the idea of photos and biometric IDs was dropped, but student pilots will no longer get their certificates from their AME. Instead they will apply in person at their FSDO (unlikely), through a DPE, with a … Continue reading “Plastic Student Pilot Certificates Start April 1st”
According to the new FAA rule, as of April 1st, 2016 all new pilots now have to apply for their student pilot certificates through IACRA or on a paper 8710-1 (not encouraged). It helps to repeat after me “IACRA is my friend” because a positive attitude helps immensely when navigating this website for the first … Continue reading “How to Apply in IACRA for a Student Pilot Certificate”
Previously published in the FAA Pilot Examiner Quarterly (shared by permission) Here is a unfortunate story of a “Rusty CFI” (not current teaching though probably very current in his biz jet). DPEs see cases like this too often- where the well-meaning CFI was not up to speed. New CFIs need mentoring, non-current CFIs need refreshing … Continue reading “CFIs Are Not All Equal: CFI-PRO®!”
Our essential guidance as aviation educators, the FAA Advisory Circular 61.65, has finally been updated. This essential document contains all the official FAA guidance on certification standards, knowledge test procedures and “everything in flight training.” Additionally, it conveniently provides the “script” for accurate endorsements. With a stroke of your CFI pen (and the correct solo … Continue reading “The New AC-61.65 is Available! CFI Power of the Pen!”
The FAA has finally created new sUAS (aka “drone”) regulations and the result is greater freedom and access for aspiring unmanned aviators. The peril will be more activity in the airspace and undetectable traffic threats for larger aircraft. For this to work we all have to “play nice” in the airspace and follow the rules carefully. … Continue reading “Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)”
FAA Rotorcraft Safety Conference Set for October The FAA’s second annual International Rotorcraft Safety Conference will be held October 25-27 in Fort Worth, TX. The goal of the conference is to reduce the helicopter accident rate in the U.S. The free event is intended for rotorcraft pilots, mechanics, small company owners, industry executives, operators and … Continue reading “September e-News; “Read More””
Read More…… (Gary) In 2016, Gary created Master Flight Training to provide three-day Mastering Single-Pilot IFR programs for pilots who fly with Avidyne or Garmin glass cockpits. In the past three years, he has given this training to more than 60 pilots in 24 states involving 26 different aircraft models. Since 2012, Gary has been … Continue reading “June 2019 SAFE e-News “Read More””
Read more…(Complex) “We had heard hints of this change at Sun ‘n Fun last month when we interviewed the FAA’s Brad Palmer of AFS 800,” explained David St. George, SAFE Chair. “His team at the FAA was very concerned about the safety of our fleet of aging complex airplanes.” St. George said he thought the … Continue reading “May 2018; “Read More””
“Good pilots are always learning” but this commitment is also vital for good flight instructors. To improve at anything, we must be continually curious, seeking new knowledge or inevitably cynicism and a glassy-eyed complacency set in. You know this look, 70% of US workers on the job are “disengaged”. A commitment to growth as a … Continue reading “CFI Good to Great; Learn From Your Students!”
FAA pilot certification is a carefully monitored pass/fail process, but surprisingly, only minimal performance is required to earn a pilot certificate or rating. The PTS/ACS standards only ensure that all elements are completed successfully and that applicants meet at least the lowest acceptable level of skill, knowledge, and judgment. And by regulation, if the standard … Continue reading ““Mind the (CFI) Gap!” Go “Good to GREAT!””
