National Outreach Manager Discusses FAA’s Wings Program Improvements

On October 1st, 2006, Kevin Clover announced the formation of the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam). 

 After the end of the FAA’s Aviation Safety Program, the Flight Standards Service created FAASTeam as part of its continued effort to reduce aircraft accidents, in particular, elusive accident causes that were not specifically addressed by the previous safety program.

As stated, the FAASTeam mission is to improve aviation safety by focusing attention on training, outreach, and education in the hopes that such combined efforts will reduce accidents for the aviation community.

In April of 2007, in support of its continued mission, the FAASTeam developed the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.  Founded on the belief that pilots who sustain both currency and competence in flight basics will maintain higher safety standards, the program helps individual pilots construct a regular proficiency training program specific to their flight provisions.  As a member of the WINGS program, pilots are required to meet education, review, and flight proficiency levels in the Areas of Operation found in current Practical Test Standards that correspond to the leading accident causes in the United States.

Bryan Neville, acting National Outreach Manager for FAASTeam, recently sat down with Aero-TV to discuss the team’s latest strides to improve the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.  From Sun’N’Fun to EAA AirVenture, FAASTeam representatives spoke with pilots to find out how the WINGS program could better support the needs of the general aviation community.  Based on the feedback received, Neville focused his attention on making the website more user-friendly for WINGS participants, including a new FAA Wings Blog where users can ask questions and offer further suggestions for improvement.

FMI: www.faasafety.gov/, http//faawings.blogspot.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews