AOPA Air Safety Foundation

Heading to Sun 'n Fun? We can help

In the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's "Now Featuring" section are a host of online materials for helping you arrive in Lakeland, Florida, safely. The resources include Sun 'n Fun show-specific information and general fly-in safety articles, along with video and audio clips, on a single page.

And when you get there, be sure to look for AOPA's Big Yellow Tent. There'll be an AOPA Pilot Town Meeting with Phil Boyer Thursday evening (April 6), and Friday is AOPA Day at Sun n' Fun, with discounted admission and special prizes for AOPA members.

(March 17)

Maneuvering flight safety quiz now available

Each Sporty's Safety Quiz on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Web site offers a quick, easy, and interactive way to assess and expand your knowledge. Maneuvering flight is the subject of the latest quiz. Already taken this one? Challenge yourself with another Sporty's Safety Quiz topic in the "Previous Quizzes" section.

(March 13, 2006)

AOPA Air Safety Foundation releases 2005 Nall Report

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's just-released 2005 Joseph T. Nall Report shows a historic low for aviation accidents in 2004. The report, funded by the Emil Buehler Trust, is the nation's first authoritative look at the general aviation accident rate for the preceding year.

According to the report, there were 6.22 total accidents and 1.2 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours for 2004. For 2003, the accident rates were 6.77 and 1.37, respectively.

"Although the accident rate is down this year, there is still work to be done," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the Air Safety Foundation. "During the 15 years that the foundation has published the annual Nall Report, pilot error continues to top the list of accident causes. This year, based on an increase in weather-related accidents, we focused on weather accidents and pilot decision making when in hazardous weather conditions."  More on Nall Report...

(March 2, 2006)

Two newest AOPA Air Safety Foundation online courses win ADDYs

The two newest AOPA Air Safety Foundation online courses, Mountain Flying and Engine and Propeller, won ADDY awards last month in the mid-Maryland preliminaries for the national ADDY competition. The American Advertising Federation awards honor the best in advertising, marketing, and communication.  More on AOPA Air Safety Foundation online courses...

(February 28)

Maneuvering Flight DVD available nationwide

In the wake of the Roseville, California, maneuvering flight crash last Sunday, which generated anti-GA publicity, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation is encouraging pilots to review the basics of low and slow flight. The foundation's full-length Maneuvering Flight: Hazardous to Your Health? DVD and a free companion Safety Advisor are both available to pilots nationwide. The DVD is sold for $19.95 through Sporty's Pilot Shop, and the Safety Advisor is available for free download from the Air Safety Foundation's Web site.

(February 17)

Special Air Safety Foundation seminar scheduled for Northern California

Maneuvering flight risk a challenge for all pilots

The recent fatal general aviation accident in Roseville, California, has prompted the AOPA Air Safety Foundation to schedule a special presentation of its safety seminar, "Maneuvering Flight — Hazardous to Your Health?" for Sacramento-area pilots next week.

"In the wake of this accident, we chose to add this seminar to our regular nationwide schedule," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. "This maneuvering flight program had national distribution in 2004 with more than 150 showings, 13 in California alone with one in Sacramento. As an organization dedicated to general aviation safety, it is our mission to provide critical safety information to pilots."

Maneuvering flight is not just about buzzing or aerobatics like those enjoyed at airshows nationwide. Every single flight taken includes maneuvering flight.  More on maneuvering flight safety seminar...

(February 15)

'Say Intentions' when you need ATC's help

Air traffic control can be your best ally when you're in distress. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's "Say Intentions" online course explains why the flight-assist should be added to your bag of tools. Take the course.

Are you and ATC on the same page? Take the Sporty's Quiz

Instrument pilots and students: Are you and air traffic control speaking the same language? Do you know your ATC terminology as well as you should? Find out by taking a few minutes to complete the Sporty's Safety Quiz. A new quiz is posted every other week, and each person who completes the quiz gets a chance to win a Sporty's Air-Scan V Aviation/Radio Scanner. Test your knowledge of other topics by taking previous quizzes.

(February 3, 2006)

Minicourses only take minutes to complete

So you don't have a lot of time but you want to stay current on safety-related issues? Try the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's minicourses. They only take 5 to 15 minutes each to complete. Say you want to understand the Visual Warning System, the new laser signaling system surrounding the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Or perhaps your FBO just installed a Garmin 430/530 GPS receiver in your favorite airplane and you'd like a quick course in how to use it. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has minicourses to address each of these situations.

(January 27, 2006)

New Safety Brief highlights thunderstorm avoidance

In response to a rash of thunderstorm-related accidents, air traffic control centers have changed the terminology they use to describe precipitation levels displayed by radar. The new terms are moderate, heavy, and extreme. To help you better understand thunderstorm avoidance services, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has prepared a Safety Brief. It reviews radar systems, pilot and controller responsibilities, and techniques for avoiding confusion. Download the document.

(January 16, 2006)

Got an airspace question? AOPA Air Safety Foundation has the answer in a flash (card)

Download the flash cards

Whether you're a flight instructor, a seasoned pilot, or a student still trying to make sense of today's complex airspace environment, the latest offering from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation is just what you need.

Airspace Flash Cards help pilots and instructors learn or teach the different types of airspace. Each of the 20 cards includes a full-color example of how the airspace is charted, a description of its characteristics, and a question for discussion.

The set includes the four most common types of airspace most pilots are likely to encounter (Classes B, C, D, and E), as well as other more restrictive airspace that requires special attention when planning and then taking a flight, such as restricted or prohibited airspace, special conservation areas, and national security areas. Questions on each card and supplemental questions available online are designed to spark discussion between an instructor and a student, or between pilots reviewing airspace requirements.  More on Airspace Flash Cards...

(January 10, 2006)