Welcome to the Safety Section of the Flying Clubs Newsletter, Club Connector!
Each month, we provide valuable resources for flying club safety officers to keep their clubs informed and safe. This includes links to PowerPoint presentations (and shorter PDFs) that we use in our own meetings—so you always have a ready-to-go topic for your club’s next safety session. In addition to the presentations, we also offer links to relevant articles, videos, and other media that you may find useful. You can find this month’s safety article and the full archive here: https://youcanfly.aopa.org/flying-clubs/flying-club-newsletter/safety
Now, let’s dive into this month’s safety topic!
March Safety Topic of the Month: Risk Based Flight Review
Background:
This month, we’ll focus on risk-based flight reviews and how to conduct them effectively. Often, flight reviews become a simple check-off process, with the pilot sent back into the sky without much thought. This approach doesn’t serve anyone well. Many pilots, especially those not engaged in frequent check rides or instruction, may not be flying regularly enough to meet the real needs of a flight review. And if they are flying frequently, they often don’t need a flight review for another two years after their check ride.
Remember, every pilot—whether they hold a Private or ATP license—has likely flown friends or family in a small aircraft. As the pilot in command, the safety of those passengers' rests in your hands. But how can you ensure a flight review addresses the unique needs of that pilot? Are you a seaplane pilot who mostly flies into lakes? A backcountry Idaho pilot who enjoys camping trips with the family? Or perhaps you’re a time-builder aiming for the airlines? Every flight review should be customized and designed to challenge the pilot.
Learning Points:
Start every flight review with an action plan. This should include a schedule, clear standards, and preflight homework for the pilot.
The homework can include study courses offered by the AOPA Air Safety Institute, which provides free, focused flight review resources for various specialties like seaplanes, helicopters, mountain flying, IFR proficiency, and positive aircraft control. You can find these resources here: AOPA Flight Review Resources.
Additionally, flight planning should be completed, including weight/balance calculations and performance considerations for the specific day of the flight. If the pilot is unsure about some of these tasks, encourage them to ask their CFI for assistance—there’s no shame in needing a refresher!
The flight instructor should review all necessary aircraft documentation and the assignments given to the pilot before the review.
Key Flight Activities for the Review:
Post-Flight:
After the flight, it’s important to debrief and establish a proficiency training plan moving forward.
Remember, there’s no need for any part of the flight review to feel embarrassing. CFIs are trained to provide respectful, constructive instruction. If you don’t understand part of the review, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. More training is never a bad thing!
The FAA offers a free resource called Conducting an Effective Flight Review, which provides additional guidance.
And remember, you can’t fail a flight review!
If you’ve been out of flying for a while, check out AOPA’s Rusty Pilots initiative to help you get back in the air. Once a pilot, always a pilot!
Other Safety Resources:
Here’s a reminder of some of the safety resources available to all pilots:
FAASTeam:
Visit the FAASTeam website at faasafety.gov. This site offers a wealth of courses, videos, links, and more. The WINGS program encompasses both knowledge and flight activities, so use it as a way to stay proficient. It’s a progressive approach to flight reviews, earned over 12 months instead of just the usual 24-month period.
Don’t do WINGS yet?
You’re missing out! The WINGS program is a free pilot proficiency initiative that helps you stay safe and competent in your flying. It can also offer insurance discounts and, most importantly, provide a structured way to keep your skills sharp.
The FAASTeam WINGS program is the best way for general aviation pilots to stay competent, confident, and safe. And being consistently proficient will save you money in the long run.
If you’re interested in using the FAASTeam WINGS program for your personal flying or with your flying club, create an account on the FAASTeam website at faasafety.gov. If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to contact me (Jason Levine, WINGS Representative), and I’d be happy to walk you through the program. You can learn more about WINGS for Clubs in Flying Clubs Radio Episode 8 and the May 2020 Question of the Month.
Other FAA Resources:
Don’t forget to regularly revisit these FAA safety gems, as new material is frequently added:
AOPA Air Safety Institute:
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute
AOPA’s Air Safety Institute (ASI), which by the way is funded by the AOPA Foundation just like the Flying Clubs Initiative, is packed with exceptional content, including exceptional videos, podcasts, accident analysis, online courses, recorded webinars and more. Completing ASI activities may also earn WINGS credits. Of particular interest to flying club safety officers is the updated Safety to Go section. There, you can download a selection of topics, each coming with PowerPoint slides and speaker’s notes!
