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!
Background:
As cockpit technology continues to evolve, pilots are increasingly relying on automation to manage flight tasks. While automation has significantly improved aviation safety and reduced pilot workload, it has also introduced new challenges. The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) highlights that overreliance on automation is becoming a notable causal factor in general aviation incidents. Pilots are now expected to monitor complex systems, manage automation modes, and maintain proficiency in both manual and automated operations. This shift from active flying to passive monitoring can lead to skill degradation, mode confusion, and reduced situational awareness, especially when unexpected events occur. The FAA urges pilots to maintain a balanced approach: embrace technology, but never at the expense of fundamental flying skills and situational engagement.
Learning points:
Automation is a tool, not a crutch.
While cockpit automation reduces physical workload, it can increase mental workload. Pilots may become too dependent on systems like autopilots and GPS, which can lead to complacency and a decline in manual flying skills. Automation should support the pilot, not replace them.
Humans are poor at passive monitoring.
Pilots are naturally better at active tasks than passive ones. When automation takes over flying duties, pilots may become disengaged or miss critical cues. This can lead to delayed reactions during abnormal situations or system failures.
Proficiency requires regular practice.
Understanding how to operate automated systems in both normal and failure modes is essential. Pilots must train regularly to maintain proficiency in programming, monitoring, and reverting to manual control when needed.
Know your aircraft systems inside and out.
Each aircraft and avionics suite is different. Whether flying a traditional “steam gauge” panel or a modern glass cockpit, pilots must be thoroughly familiar with the specific systems in their aircraft, especially when transitioning between different platforms.
Be prepared for automation surprises.
Automation can behave in unexpected ways due to data entry errors or mode confusion. Pilots must be ready to recognize when something isn’t right and be confident enough to disconnect automation and hand-fly the aircraft if necessary.
Stay mentally engaged throughout the flight.
Fatigue, long days, and solo operations can reduce a pilot’s mental engagement. Unlike airline crews, general aviation pilots often fly alone and without structured rest periods. Staying alert and focused is critical to safe operations.
Don’t over rely on GPS.
While GPS and moving maps have revolutionized navigation, they can also lead to overconfidence. Pilots may fly too close to restricted airspace or fail to plan for GPS outages. Always maintain traditional navigation skills and have a backup plan.
Balance is key.
The best use of automation comes from balance, using it to reduce workload while staying actively involved in flying. Pilots should avoid becoming overly reliant on technology and instead use it as a tool to enhance, not replace, their situational awareness and decision-making.
Other Safety Resources:
Here is a reminder of just some of the safety resources available to all pilots:
FAASTeam:
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:
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!
