Fly Safe: Addressing GA Safety
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the general aviation (GA) community’s national #FlySafe campaign helps educate GA pilots about safety, including loss of control (LOC), powerplant failure, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Stay safe! This series will show you how you can incorporate safety into every flight.
Do You Have Your WINGS?
Regular readers of this space recognize our message of safety. Take your commitment to education one step further by participating in the FAA’s WINGS pilot proficiency program.
The objective of the WINGS program to prevent the primary causes of GA accidents. WINGS is not an “award” program. It is a proficiency program designed to help improve pilot skills and knowledge. We feel that pilots who maintain their currency and proficiency will enjoy a safer flight experience.
The WINGS program consists of learning activities and flight tasks selected to address the documented causal factors of aircraft accidents. You can participate by selecting the category and class of aircraft in which you wish to receive training. Requirements for each aircraft category and class include specific subjects and flight maneuvers.
All pilots holding a U.S. pilot certificate may participate in the WINGS program.
To participate:
- Create an account on FAASafety.gov
- Complete your WINGS profile
- Attend a WINGS seminar or take a WINGS flight with your flight instructor
When each training event is completed, pilots record their achievements on FAASafety.gov to track their progress. When a pilot completes three qualifying ground or knowledge events and three qualifying flight activities, they earn a phase of WINGS.
With the FAASTeam’s recently added WINGS Topic of the Quarter (WTOQ) program, it’s now even easier to earn your next phase of WINGS. The WTOQ are preselected courses and flight activities that add up to getting a phase of WINGS. In addition to helping you sharpen your flying skills, completing a phase of WINGS also satisfies your flight review requirement. Please note that you may also continue to select your own flight events and knowledge topics for WINGS according to your own personal preference.
WINGS will also provide you with opportunities to complete online courses, attend seminars, and participate in webinars. Many third party activities, including those offered by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Aviation Supplies and Academics Inc., Sporty’s and others qualify for WINGS credit.
In order to keep playing your “A” game, get good coaching, and stick with it. Fly regularly with a flight instructor who will challenge you to review what you know, explore new horizons, and to always do your best. Of course, you’ll have to dedicate time and money to your proficiency program, but it’s well worth it for the peace of mind that comes with confidence.
WINGSPros at Your Service
Need more info or help with WINGS? Contact a WINGSPro by visiting the FAASTeam directory. Next, type wingspro in the Keywords field and enter your state abbreviation in the state field. Press search and then scroll down to find WINGSPros in your state. Feel free to contact them or your local FAASTeam Program Manager or Rep. They love to make new pilot friends and help with WINGS.
Did you know?
Loss of Control happens in all phases of flight. It can happen anywhere and at any time. There is an average of one fatal accident involving Loss of Control every four days.
Resource Guide:
The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program helps pilots build an educational curriculum suitable for their unique flight requirements. It is based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight will enjoy a safer and more stress-free flying experience.
The WINGS Pilot Proficiency User’s Guide will give you more information about WINGS.
The FAASTeam has also put together several videos on WINGS:
Curious about FAA regulations (Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations)? It’s a good idea to stay on top of them.You can find current FAA regulations on this website.
The FAASafety.gov website has Notices, FAAST Blasts, online courses, webinars, and more on key general aviation safety topics.
The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) is comprised of government and industry experts who work together to use data to identify risk, pinpoint trends through root cause analysis, and develop safety strategies to reduce the risk of GA accidents. The GAJSC combines the expertise of many key decision makers in the FAA, several government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and stakeholder groups. Industry participants include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, National Business Aviation Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Association of Flight Instructors, Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, and the aviation insurance industry. The National Transportation Safety Board and the European Aviation Safety Agency participate as observers.