SAFE Says Not A Shocker, Some Good

The FAA-Industry advisory group formed in June of 2019 to investigate problems with the agency's Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) system has issued a 101-page report. SAFE notes that the report largely codifies many suggestions for increasing DPE availability circulating in the industry for years. But the report also reflects disagreements as to who and how to test applicants efficiently for certificates and ratings and offers suggestions. The group highlighted many still unresolved questions in the airman testing process.

Remote Lessons Are Coordinated By SAFE and NAFI Instructors

The Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 is expanding its reach this year, as it is offering its high-quality simulation exercises and scenarios even for those who can’t be at Oshkosh in-person. The remote opportunities are in coordination with flight instructors who are members of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE). These dedicated aviation instructors staff the Pilot Proficiency Center at Oshkosh each year.

The 7,200-Foot Runway Project Began In 2020

The Ponca City Regional Airport hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 9, in honor of the airport's newly reconstructed 7,200-foot runway. The project, which began in 2020, was one of the largest single-phase undertakings at a general aviation airport in Oklahoma. The project reconstructed a majority of the runway, replaced the runway lights and guidance signs and significantly enhanced the drainage of the area. The FAA funding for the $8.1M project was directed through the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's (OAC) 5-year Airport Construction Program and consisted of a combination of FAA Supplemental Appropriations, Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding and Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic

Veered Left And Pitched Up, Then Descended And Tumbled On The Ground Into A Bean Field

On July 1, 2021, about 0755 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N123RE, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident at Lamoni Municipal Airport (LWD), Lamoni, Iowa. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of preliminary air traffic control (ATC) information revealed that the airplane departed about 0640 from Millard Airport (MLE), Omaha, Nebraska, and flew a visual approach at 0735 to Creston Municipal Airport (CSQ), Creston, Iowa. At 0736, the airplane departed CSQ, and the pilot received flight following from ATC until about