Safety Check: Aftermarket Safety Equipment

Welcome to the Safety Section of the Flying Clubs Newsletter, Club Connector!   

Every month we provide resources for flying club safety officers to keep their clubs informed and safe. We include links to PowerPoint presentations (and smaller PDFs) that we use at our own meetings, so there is always a topic ready for your club’s next safety meeting. Along with the presentations, we also provide links to relevant articles, videos, and other media that you may also 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    

So, let’s get on with this month’s safety topic!    

After-market Safety Equipment 

Background:    

This month’s safety spotlight focuses on innovative aftermarket equipment that can significantly enhance safety in general aviation aircraft. From life-saving technologies like ballistic recovery systems and airbag seatbelts to situational awareness tools such as ADS-B In, electronic flight bags, and enhanced vision systems, pilots today have more options than ever to improve flight safety. We’ll also explore advancements like angle of attack indicators, emergency Autoland systems, redesigned seatbelt configurations, and even the potential role of helmets in certain flight environments.

Learning points:   

1. While once considered adequate, traditional lap belts fall short in protecting occupants during crash scenarios. Advances in restraint technology have significantly improved crash survivability and injury mitigation.
2. Upgrading to a multi-point restraint system—such as a four- or five-point harness—provides far better occupant restraint, greatly reducing the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident.
3. FAA-approved airbag seatbelts, like those developed by AmSafe, are now available for general aviation aircraft. These systems are designed to reduce head and upper body injuries, particularly in frontal impacts where the risk of striking flight instruments or the cockpit frame is high.
4. In addition to enhanced protection, airbag seatbelts are often more comfortable than traditional restraints, offering a better fit and feel throughout all phases of flight.
5. Since 2020, the FAA has mandated ADS-B Out for aircraft operating in most controlled airspace. While ADS-B In is not required, it offers significant safety benefits. Affordable receivers from manufacturers like Garmin and Sentry allow pilots to view nearby traffic directly on an iPad using apps like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot.
6. Many newer GPS and transponder units now include built-in ADS-B In functionality. While these systems come at a higher cost, they offer seamless integration and enhanced situational awareness.
7. It’s important to remember that ADS-B In only shows aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out. In areas where ADS-B Out is not required, such as some remote regions, non-equipped aircraft will not be visible on your traffic display.
8. ADS-B In also provides FIS-B weather data, including METARs, TAFs, and radar imagery. While this data is slightly delayed, it still offers critical insights for in-flight decision-making and enhances overall safety.
9. EFBs have largely replaced paper charts, offering integrated flight planning, real-time weather, and aircraft position tracking on moving maps. These tools dramatically improve situational awareness and reduce cockpit workload.
10. Despite their advantages, EFBs are still electronic devices—and they can fail. It’s wise to carry a backup device or unexpired paper charts. For official guidance, refer to FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-76D, which outlines best practices for EFB use.
11. While common in commercial aviation, flight data and cockpit voice recorders remain expensive for general aviation aircraft. 
12. Modern engine monitoring systems provide real-time data that helps both pilots and mechanics track engine health, detect anomalies early, and optimize performance and maintenance schedules.
13. Synthetic vision systems (SVS) combine sensor data with navigation information to create a 3D view of terrain and obstacles. Heads-up displays (HUDs), once exclusive to airliners, are now appearing in GA aircraft like those equipped with the Garmin G3X, improving situational awareness and safety.
14. Cost-effective AoA indicators are now widely available and can be especially helpful during takeoff and landing. Some flight apps even integrate AoA functionality, helping reduce the risk of stall/spin accidents.
15. Aircraft parachute systems, such as those standard on all Cirrus models, have saved lives. Though expensive, retrofit options are increasingly available and offer a compelling safety upgrade for many GA aircraft.
16. Garmin Autoland is an advanced system that can autonomously navigate to a suitable airport, squawk 7700, communicate with ATC, and land the aircraft safely—providing a critical safety net in emergencies.
17. Pilots should be aware that an aircraft using Emergency Autoland is in an active emergency. These aircraft will not yield to others, and surrounding traffic should give them the right of way. This is also mentioned in CFR 91.113.
18. Electronic ignition systems offer improved reliability, reduced maintenance, and better fuel efficiency compared to traditional magnetos. However, they do require a dependable electrical power source.

Check out the Safety Management System regarding general aviation safety from AOPA’s Air Safety Institute. https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/Scalable-Safety-Framework. The FAA is preparing to put a heightened focus on general aviation SMS this year. Currently, airline operations tend to be the focus of SMS.        

Our safety community involves pilots (yes, even student pilots), instructors, maintenance technicians, the FAA, and the Air Safety Institute from AOPA.    

The entire Flying Club team at AOPA are FAAST team members and we are happy to host a safety webinar for your club. The Wings credits that your members will get can be a huge motivator to get members to attend. Also, some insurance companies will lower rates if they are aware that your club is hosting FAAST meetings.      

Other Safety Resources:    

Here is a reminder of just some of the safety resources available to all pilots:    

FAASTeam:    

faasafety.gov    

The FAASTeam website is the portal to a vast array of courses, videos, links, and much more.  Remember that WINGS not only encompasses knowledge activities but also flight activities.  Use the search options to narrow down to say, flight activities for a basic phase of WINGS, and you’ll be able to find a syllabus and often a worksheet for various flight activities.  Use WINGS to keep you proficient and think of the flight activities as a progressive flight review—earnt over 12-months, rather than at the end of 24-months.    

Wait…you don’t do WINGS?    

That’s a big shame—you are missing out on a free pilot proficiency program that will help you enjoy your flying even more, allow you to earn a flight review every 12 months just by flying, and may provide insurance discounts.    

The FAASTeam WINGS pilot proficiency program is the best way for general aviation pilots to ensure they are competent, confident, and safe in their flight operations.   Oh, and being perpetually proficient will save you money in the long run.      

If you are interested in using the FAASTeam WINGS program for your personal flying or with your flying club, create an account on the FAASTeam website, http://www.faasafety.gov, and explore the collection of courses and flight activities.  Also, feel free to contact me (Jason Levine, WINGS Representative), and I’d be pleased to walk you through the program.  More on “WINGS for Clubs” can be found here 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:    

Pilot Minute    

57 Seconds to Safer Flying    

FAA Safety Briefing Magazine    

From the Flight Deck       

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!