Portland FSDO Will Also Receive Excellence Award
The Portland, ME Flight Standards
District Office (FSDO) and Susan Parson, Special Assistant to the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) General Aviation and
Commercial Division, will receive National Air Transportation
Association (NATA) Excellence Awards at the 2008 NATA Air Charter
Summit on June 10, 2008, at the Westfields Marriott Dulles Center
in Chantilly, VA.
Parson will receive the NATA Excellence In Pilot Training Award
for her lead role in managing the initial writing or rewriting of
several flight training reference books published by the FAA,
including The TAA Flying Handbook, Aviation Instructor's Handbook
and Instrument Flying Handbook. Additionally, she has been a
consistent contributor to FAA Aviation News, and her articles such
as "Practical Risk Management for Local VFR Flying" frequently
introduce innovative ideas to the general aviation community.
Parson has been a Master CFI and ground instructor since 2004,
and continues her work as an active flight instructor in Northern
Virginia. For three years, she has served as co-chair of the
Personal Aviation Subgroup of the General Aviation Joint Steering
Committee, a position she has used with great effectiveness in
prioritizing the FAA's safety initiatives in the field of flight
instruction. Acting on suggestions of the Personal Aviation
Subgroup, Parson produced Conducting an Effective Flight Review,
IPC Guidance and Best Practices for Mentoring in Flight
Instruction.
NATA says these documents were highly praised by the subgroup
for their clarity and on-point discussion of topics previously
covered only with a broad brush. Parson is a past deputy safety
director of the Civil Air Patrol's Virginia Wing (CAPVW). She
currently holds the position of director for standards and
evaluation of the CAPVW.
The FAA's Portland, ME Flight Standards District Office will
receive the NATA FAA Customer Service Excellence Award based on the
high degree of customer service demonstrated by its inspectors,
supervisors and manager in their interactions with Part 135
on-demand air carriers.
"The FAA personnel assigned to this office offer regulatory
compliance and application guidance that is a model for the rest of
the agency," said NATA President James K. Coyne. "They are willing
to listen to and understand the unique concerns of the Part 135
industry as well as clearly communicate FAA requirements and
processes. In addition, the FSDO works well within the broader FAA
on multiple levels."
NATA notes that by setting realistic goals and agreeing in
advance to the requirements of projects, the Portland FSDO excels
in the timely processing of submitted programs and manuals.
NATA annually recognizes individuals, offices, and organizations
demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of
customer service to the general aviation community. These awards
are given by NATA to exceptional individuals and organizations that
have helped improve the general aviation community.
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