Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation, Inc.

Rarely does an opportunity come along where you can make a huge impact by doing very little. And the FAA has just given us that opportunity by approving our plan to survey aviators to get their insight.  This is really important. 

WINGS accredited aviators are safer pilots.  More than 215,000 aviator's have registered for and have received a WINGS credit but less than 6% are accredited.  The FAASTeam's [Our] Mission is to improve the nation's accident and incident rate.

Now I need your help to see this project succeed.  Please take the time to read the two attachments (Beresford Research Proposal and the FAASTeam authorized Mike Costa e-mail), all of which have been accepted and approved by the FAASTeam's legal department.  The project cost of $30,000 has been pre-funded by the Advocates and if you agree that this initiative is definitely worthwhile, I would appreciate your help in funding the project by making a modest contribution.

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Together we can make a difference. 

Please join me in advocating a change in the WINGS Program validation period. Our argument is that it should be consistent with the Flight Review 24 month requirement.

For example, in the trailing twenty four month period, 03/01/2009 thru 2/28/2011, this change would have allowed an additional 133,728 aviators time to complete their Basic WING.

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An EVA Air Boeing 747-45EM taking off from runway 36L at Amsterdam - Schiphol, Netherlands. The  great timing and angle just makes this shot, and the size of the  747, look surreal. The distance to the fence was 145 meters (475ft)...

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Personal Preference: Choose One of the Following:

___ Getting an FAA Ramp Check
___ Getting Beat with and Ugly Stick

Some Dos and Donts That Might Make a Surprise Meeting With the FAA a Little Easier

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The WINGS User's Guide beta test has closed, and the completed guide may now be found on the FAASafety.gov website:

WINGS Pilot Proficiency User's Guide (PDF format) 

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January 10, 1964, started out as a typical day for the flight test group at Boeing's Wichita plant.  Pilot Chuck Fisher took off in a B-52H with a three-man Boeing crew, flying a low-level profile to obtain structural data.

Over Colorado, cruising 500 feet above the mountainous terrain, the B-52 encountered some turbulence. Fisher climbed to 14,300 feet looking for smoother air. At this point the typical day ended. The bomber flew into clear-air turbulence. It felt as if the plane had been placed in a giant high-speed elevator, shoved up and down, and hit by a heavy blow on its right side.

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Last week, I received the following communication from Craig Fuller, Chairman, AOPA PAC, and felt compelled to share it with the Advocates, as well: 

I'm sending you a quick update on the fight we're facing in Washington. Please take a moment to read this update, pass it along to fellow aviation enthusiasts, and take a minute of your time to give us a fighting chance to win.

Last week, at your AOPA's urging, 116 Members of Congress sent a strongly-worded letter to President Obama voicing opposition to any new aviation user fees.

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Be an informed Advocate!

The Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation is now on Facebook, and we want to connect with you.  Our page is dedicated to bringing you timely and relevant news and announcements, including:

• WINGS Program initiatives and opportunities to participate in beta tests and surveys
• Tom Turner’s “Flying Lessons”, that includes brief updates and analysis of recent accidents with safety tips
• Interesting aviation-related videos and stories -- we would be delighted to receive and publish any of your suggestions
• Plus, highlights of new Event Search widget installations

Getting connected to AFASF is easy. The link below will direct you to our "welcome" screen on Facebook. Once you're there, simply click on the "like" button, (see image below -- the orange arrow will point the way), and you'll be able to see more of AFASF, and start interacting. Feel free to encourage your friends and fellow aviators to "like" us, too!

Go to the AFASF Facebook page now!

Your concerns, comments and suggestions are important to us, so please post on our wall, or send us an e-mail, and let us know what's on your mind. Got an aviation-related link or photo that you think others may be interested in, share that, too!

Not already on Facebook? AFASF invites you to join today! Once you join, you'll be able to connect with the Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation page, along with people who care about aviation safety, and other aviation-related topics that interest you.

Sign up for Facebook

I am proud to announce that the Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation has been nominated as a potential recipient of the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation 2011 grant program. With your support, we hope to be among the top chosen recipients for 2011, and receive one of the $10,000 grants. And, this is how you can help us be one of the chosen. Nominate AFASF Now!

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It has been a busy and productive year for the Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation (AFASF).  The number of aviators who have enrolled and qualified for WINGS credit is encouraging, but not nearly the number that will make an impact on reducing the nation’s accident and incident rate. However, I am confident that, working together, we can make significant progress towards that goal in 2011. The time is now!  We can procrastinate no longer. It is our responsibility to encourage each and every one of our aviator friends, to maintain currency and proficiency through participation in the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.

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