Safety Spotlight
Pilot Proficiency
It's a beautiful morning, the airplane's practically begging to be flown, and you can hardly wait to get off the ground—at least until you remember that your flight review expired two weeks ago. Oops! Check out these resources for tips on keeping your skills sharp and making the flight review more than just a biennial exercise in box-checking.
Webinar
Takeoffs& Landings: The Expert Approach Webinar
Join the Air Safety Institute's Chief Flight Instructor, JJ Greenway, and special guest Jason Blair, executive director of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), for an in-depth discussion of the art and science of takeoffs and landings. We'll move beyond the basics of safety and look at techniques the experts use to get it done gracefully (almost) every time. View the recorded presentation >>>
Resources
Engine and Propeller Online Course
Many repairs can only be made by an airframe and powerplant mechanic, but an understanding of engine and propeller operations can help minimize dangerous wear and costly repairs (approx. 60-90 minutes). Take the Course >>>
ASI Flight Risk Evaluator Online Application
As pilots, we make informal judgments about risk all the time—but there are safety benefits to taking a more formal approach. This innovative tool lets you input the details of a flight, then get an objective assessment of the risks. Use the application >>>
Essential Aerodynamics: Stalls, Spins, and Safety Online Course
Getting a handle on aerodynamics doesn’t have to involve dry textbooks and dense equations. In this course, you’ll learn need-to-know concepts that will help you avoid unintentional stalls and spins (approx. 45-60 minutes). Take the Course >>>
Do the Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots Online Course
In flying, making the right choices isn't always easy. This course offers some simple but effective ways to improve your aeronautical decision making skills-no psychology degree required! (approx. 45-60 minutes). Take the Course >>>
Pneumatic Systems Online Course
This course offers an overview of vacuum and pressure-powered aircraft systems. It explains how pneumatic systems work, and how to handle and avoid pneumatic system failures (approx. 20-30 minutes). Take the minicourse >>>
Pilot's Guide to the Flight Review Safety Advisor
Whether you're a flight instructor or a pilot getting ready for the flight review, it makes good sense to get the most out of the process. This Safety Advisor will give you the list of the 50 most frequently asked questions, with answers to dispel common misconceptions about the review process. It will help instructors and pilots to identify deteriorating areas that may adversely affect personal flight safety. This Safety Advisor will make the flight review more meaningful and fun. (PDF file—143KB) Download it now >>>
Federal Aviation Regulations Safety Advisor
The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) outline how we become pilots, how our aircraft are certified and built, how we should fly, and much more. This Safety Advisor describes the structure of the FARs, discusses how they are created and modified, and points out other regulation-related documents all pilots should know about. (PDF file—380KB) Download it now >>>
Do the Right Thing - Decision Making for Pilots Safety Advisor
It's a sad fact of aviation that, every year, approximately 75% of all aircraft accidents are caused by pilot error, with a very large number the direct result of poor decisions. The good news is that making superior decisions about flying doesn't require superhuman skill or exceptional judgment—just the ability to anticipate and recognize basic problems, and then take timely action to correct them. This Safety Advisor provides practical advice to help you do that, as well as guidance and recommendations for developing your own set of personal minimums. (PDF file—312KB) Download it now >>>
Mastering Takeoffs and Landings Safety Advisor
More accidents occur in the take off and landing phases of flight than any other: It is the close proximity to the ground that leaves less margin for error. Some pilots never really master the basics, then it's only a matter of time before they have a problem. Is the runway long enough? Are there obstructions? What is the density altitude? Is there a cross-wind? How good is your airspeed control? Do you know how to successfully recover from a bounced landing or when to go around? These are just some of the considerations that are addressed in this Safety Avisor. (PDF file—334KB) Download it now >>>
Engine Operations Safety Advisor
Do you know what to do if the engine burps and coughs during the runup, or runs rough during cruise? In-depth systems knowledge can give you the tools needed to assess the engine's actual condition. (PDF file—600KB) Download it now >>>
Pneumatic Systems Safety Brief
Pneumatic systems, commonly known as vacuum or pressure systems, power the heading and attitude indicators in most general aviation (GA) aircraft, and in some aircraft, also power the autopilot and de-ice systems. For pilots who regularly fly at night or in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) these systems are essential. This Safety Brief explains how the pneumatic system works, how to recognize a system failure, and system redundancy options. (PDF file — 132KB) Download it now >>>
Aircraft Flash Cards
Aircraft Flash Cards are designed to help new, seasoned, and transitioning pilots gain knowledge of aircraft speeds, profiles, systems, and emergency procedures. Each card includes a subject area on the front, and fill-in-the-blank spaces and a helpful tip on the back.
Aircraft Flash Cards (PDF file — 212 KB) Download it now>>>
High Resolution Aircraft Flash Cards (PDF file — 1MB) Download it now>>>
ASI Safety Quizzes
Though pilots rarely look forward to it, the flight review is a great opportunity to learn new skills and brush up on areas that may need work. Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
Did you resolve to get fit to fly this year? Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
Get a lift from aerodynamics. Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
You know your airplane's stall speed—but is that enough to protect you from an unintentional loss of lift? Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
Feeling a little rusty on the radio? Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
The Pilot/Controller Glossary was developed to help promote a common understanding of the terms used in the Air Traffic Control system. Are you and ATC on the same page? Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
Reading the FAR/AIM cover-to-cover might be overkill, but a little refresher on the regs never hurt anyone. Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
Planning a cross-country flight can be challenging. Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
The typical pilot's operating handbook contains a number of charts that tell you everything you need to know about how your airplane will perform—or do they? Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
Takeoffs, Landings, and Wake Turbulence
Like a roller coaster, an airplane that goes up must come back down. Make sure you don't get taken for a ride—especially by wake turbulence. Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
Related Safety Spotlights
IFR Flight
Whether you have hours of instrument flight experience or are new to flight instrument meteorological conditions, you'll want to plunge in to this Safety Spotlight.
Operations at Airports
re you reaping all the benefits of flying? Although it's possible for a pilot to avoid towered airports, doing so impacts the flexibility and utility of flying. With the addition of air traffic control requiring clearances and added communication, knowing and following the recommended procedures is essential. Whether you have radio jitters, confusion concerning clearances, or just want to learn more about operations at towered airports, this information can help.
Airspace
Like it or not, there's no avoiding airspace. Whether you're planning a quick hop to a nearby strip or an epic cross-country voyage, the regulations and common sense both require you to be well versed on any type of airspace that lies in your path.
