Notes ASF Courses Reach Thousands, Help Bring Numbers Down

When the Federal Aviation Association announced this week general aviation pilots had exceeded safety goals for the fiscal year just completed, the success was due in large part to industry efforts, notes the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

In particular, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation played a significant role, reaching tens of thousands of pilots who either attended one of more than 200 in-person safety seminars held around the country or completing one or more of the Foundation’s nearly two dozen online safety courses. The Foundation recorded more than a quarter of a million course completions during the same fiscal year.

"For more than 55 years, we’ve been teaching pilots how to be safer in the air, helping to drive down the accident numbers," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. "Our in-person safety seminars set the standard in live safety education for decades, reaching tens of thousands of pilots each year. And the rise of the Internet has let us expand our reach and teach tens of thousands more each year."

As ANN reported, the FAA set a goal of not more than 331 fatal accidents for general aviation during Fiscal Year 2007 (October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007). The actual number was 314. The number of fatalities also dropped dramatically, from 676 in FY2006 to 564 in FY2007.

With courses like Weather Wise: Thunderstorms, Weather Wise: Ceilings and Visibility, Runway Safety, and Single Pilot IFR, the Air Safety Foundation has a solid history of examining safety data, identifying problems and trends, and developing courses that teach pilots how to stay out of trouble. And now, the Foundation is taking steps with courses like its new Aging Aircraft online course to address safety concerns before they become safety problems.

"The key to improving safety is to help pilots understand their ability, their aircraft and their situation, and then take steps to mitigate any risks," said Landsberg.

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation is the nation’s only private, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to providing continuing pilot education and safety programs for general aviation. It is funded by donations from individual pilots and organizations, which support the cause of improved general aviation safety.

FMI: www.aopa.org/asf/