"1997 was the best year ever in the history of modern general aviation," says Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. "GA had fewer accidents than any time since record-keeping began in 1938. Moreover, both total accidents and fatal accident rates were the lowest ever recorded."
Last year, 1,845 general aviation accidents occurred in 24.7 million hours of non-airline, non-military flying. That includes flights for business, commercial, government, personal, and training purposes, and it represents a 2.8 percent drop in accidents from 1996, in spite of an increase of about 600,000 hours flown.
While those hours include corporate, government, and non-scheduled air charter operations, it also includes a considerable number of light-aircraft operations, including personal and training flights. Instructional flight accounts for approximately 15 percent of all general aviation activity. During 1997, the number of student pilot starts increased about 8.3 percent over 1996, to about 61,375 new students.
Unfortunately, an increase in instructional accidents accompanied that increase - one of the few types of operations to record an increase. Flight training accidents increased 12.2 percent to 276, up 30 from last year. "The increase last year [1997] may be due to increased instructional activity," says ASF's Landsberg. "Flight instruction still remains among the safest areas of flying, with the proportion of fatal accidents to total accidents being the lowest of any flight operation."
General aviation is getting safer - personal flying accidents decreased 3.7 percent, business flying accidents decreased 14 percent, and fatal accidents decreased 3 percent, to 350 from 359 in 1996. Total accidents occurred at a rate of 7.51 per 100,000 hours of flying, and fatal accidents occurred at a rate of 1.42 per 100,000 hours. Those rates reflect the lowest level of both fatal and total accident rates since record-keeping began in 1938.
The FAA's "guesstimation" of hours flown - and therefore the accident rates - are an inexact science, but the numbers are consistent enough to judge a trend, Landsberg says. "Basically, we're moving in the right direction."
Most fatal accidents involve low-level maneuvering flight or continued VFR flight into instrument conditions, according to ASF's 1997 Nall Report on Accident Trends and Factors. In both situations, poor judgment contributed to the situation that caused the accident, Landsberg says. In a sense, those accidents were avoidable.
Poor skills - because of proficiency problems - most often result in "bent aluminum" or fender-bender-type accidents. Those, apparently, are the accidents that increased in 1997. "Whenever you put new students in an airplane, there's going to be some exposure to risk of an accident," Landsberg says. But, he says, there's no evidence to indicate that those kind of training accidents were the result of a larger corps of inexperienced instructors working at flight schools. (Airline hiring booms have resulted in CFI shortages around the country).
"The buck stops with the pilot in command, and the pilot must strive for the best training and proficiency," Landsberg says. "With good training, you can eliminate the skills problems, and with that same training, you can develop the judgment to avoid the judgment-related accidents."
Last year, ASF held safety seminars about the dangers of low-level maneuvering flight. This year, those seminars will cover avoiding weather-related accidents.
"There's been a real decline in fatal accidents since 1982, and I think industry and pilots can feel good about that," Landsberg says. "But we have to say that the price of safety is increased diligence. There's an element of exposure out there, and if you aren't going to decrease your risks with additional training, the odds are less in your favor than those who have worked at it a little more."
In the meantime, 1997 was a strong year for light-aircraft production. Single-engine aircraft deliveries rose more than 70 percent to 905 units - helped along by the 360 new Cessna Skyhawks and Skylanes built during the first year of production at the company's Independence, Kansas, single-engine facility. Piper, the number two U.S. manufacturer, delivered 222 singles and twins.
More aircraft - and more student pilots - mean more risk, Landsberg says. We'll have to wait until next year to see how pilots have managed that risk.
"The military knows that with a certain level of operations, they can expect some damage," Landsberg says. "We can always try to make it better, but with increased exposure, there will always be some element of accidents. That's what good training is all about - making sure it's not you."
Frasca scholarship available
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded this year as part of the Joe Frasca Excellence in Aviation scholarship program, sponsored by aviation simulator manufacturer Frasca International.
The Joseph Frasca Excellence in Aviation Scholarship was established through the University Aviation Association to encourage students to achieve the highest level of accomplishments in aviation. Students must demonstrate excellence in aviation-related activities, such as studies, events, and organizations; they must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average; FAA certifications in maintenance or flight; membership in at least one organization, such as Alpha Eta Rho, NIFA, EAA, or Warbirds of America; involvement in activities that indicated enthusiasm for aviation; and junior or senior standing at a UAA member school. The Frasca family would prefer a student interested in simulation, restoration, and aerobatics, a work history in aviation while in school, and financial need.
An application packet including an optional, 250-word essay, an application, academic transcripts, copies of FAA certificates, a letter of reference, and documentation of financial need should be sent to David NewMyer, Joe Frasca Excellence In Aviation Scholarship, c/o College of Applied Arts and Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6623.
On your mark?
The 22nd annual Air Race Classic, a 2,385-mile all-women air race, is scheduled for June 23-26. Non-supercharged, stock airplanes will race from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Batavia, Ohio, with a number of checkpoints in between, including Midland, Texas; St. Joseph, Missouri; and Rome, Georgia.
Winning the race takes a combination of sharp piloting skills, a good airplane, and a fundamental understanding of weather. Aircraft are given a handicap depending on their type, engine (between 145 and 570 hp), and expected performance. Pilots receive points for beating the handicapped performance of their aircraft. For more information or to register, contact Pauline Glasson at 512/289-1101.
EAA offers financing plan
The Experimental Aircraft Association is sponsoring a new aircraft financing plan through Green Tree Financial Services. The financing is available for kit-built, plans-built, or production aircraft. EAA members will receive discounted finance rates from Green Tree, 24-hour turn-around on financing quotes, financing for the entire kit, and financing for any aircraft that is insurable. Call Green Tree at 800/851-1367 for information.
Association offers cross-scheduling
The newly formed United States Association of Flying Clubs will assist flying club members around the United States with renting an airplane at other USAFC member clubs around the country without the often-required insurance check-out flight. In order to participate, member clubs must adopt flight training standards to assure competent and proficient pilots.
The association will provide 24-hour-a-day computer-based scheduling for its member clubs via the World Wide Web. Toll-free access is also available. USAFC has a master insurance policy from Southwest Aviation Insurance Group that allows member clubs to cross-schedule nonmembers. For more information, call 888/322-8111 or visit their Web site, www.usafc.org.
NAFI to hold EAA AirVenture FIRC
The National Association of Flight Instructors and the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics will co-host a flight instructor refresher clinic at this year's Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh event, July 29-Aug. 4. The FIRC will be held July 29-30 at the Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh.
The two-day, 16-hour course is open to all flight instructors, and it will renew any CFI rating set to expire before Oct. 1, 1998. Registration for the FIRC is $150, with a $25 discount for NAFI members. The fee includes two lunches, refreshments, and shuttle service from the AirVenture grounds. Registration deadline is July 1. Call 800/843-3612 to register, or visit NAFI's Web site, www.nafinet.org.
AOPA offers mentor bulletin board
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has launched an electronic bulletin board to help student pilots hook up with Project Pilot Mentors, pilots who are interested in providing moral and educational support to new pilots. The site is open to all student pilots and to AOPA members who wish to mentor a pilot.
Student pilots can post location, airport, and contact information on the "Find a Mentor" page of the "Learn to Fly" and "Project Pilot" section of the www.aopa.org Web site. Those pilots should put their location in the "topic" section of the message. AOPA members seeking students should post a message in the "Find a Student" section.
"Most prospective pilots need a little bit of help and encouragement to get started," says Susan Selig, Project Pilot program manager. "Mentoring a fledgling pilot is an extraordinarily rewarding experience, and there are plenty of wannabe pilots out there who are seeking advice and guidance from someone who already knows the joys and excitement of flight."
Student pilots who are mentored get special Project Pilot newsletters with information geared to the new pilot. For more information, call 800/USA-AOPA.
Sumpter presented with technician award
Ava Sumpter, an engine mechanic with Garrett Aviation Services in Houston, has been awarded the Aircraft Technical Publishers/Women in Aviation International Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year Award. In addition to her maintenance duties, Sumpter serves as an FAA Safety Counselor, sponsoring and organizing monthly safety meetings, and she has taught A courses. She is currently working on her CFI and a bachelor of science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
CFI Pocket Guide includes Part 61 changes
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has released its new Flight Instructor's Pocket Guide to Airman Certification - Single-Engine, incorporating the new FAR Part 61. "A CFI can use the Pocket Guide as a 'checklist' prior to authorizing an operating privilege or sending a student for a checkride," says Don Koranda, ASF vice president for training.
The Guide lists the certification requirements for all pilot levels from student solo through the airline transport pilots certificate. It also includes sample logbook endorsements that follow FAA-accepted format and wording. The guide is available at ASF flight instructor refresher clinics, or for $9.95 from Sporty's Pilot Shop, 800/543-8633
Student wins UND scholarship
Josh Symanski will head off to the University of North Dakota this fall free of charge. The Rutland, Vermont, senior is the first-ever winner of the UND Aerospace Tuition Giveaway, a year of tuition at the university. The scholarship is worth about $6,000.
Symanski applied for the sweepstakes at an air show in which the Northern Lights aerobatic team performed. UND sponsors the precision team, and accepts contest entries at all Northern Lights performances. The university will continue that program this year, and will allow entries via the UND Web site, www.aero.und.edu/hot/.
Entry forms for academic year 1999-2000 can also be obtained by writing Tuition Giveaway Form, UND Aerospace, P.O. Box 9007, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9007. Prize winners must apply and be accepted to the University in order to receive the prize. All entries must be in the possession of UND Aerospace by August 8, 1998.
AOPA to host weather seminars
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's Air Safety Foundation will dedicate its entire schedule of 1998 pilot seminars to aviation weather. More than 25,000 pilots are expected to attend the 170 free "Weather Strategies" seminars across the country. Those seminars will be followed up with later "Weather Tactics" seminars on implementing weather thinking in-flight.
According to ASF, weather is general aviation's leading safety problem. From 1982 to 1993, bad weather was involved in more than a quarter of all accidents. Almost a third of all weather-related accidents involve a fatality, and 94 percent were caused by poor pilot decision-making.
"VFR or IFR pilots will enjoy flying more if they use our 'big picture' approach to reducing weather risk," says ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg. "With these new planning tools, you'll have a confident, knowledgeable approach to weather and flying that will last a lifetime."
"Weather Strategies" will teach pilots to think strategically about gathering weather data, now that more sources for data are available, including television, local Doppler weather radar, weather equipment at FBOs, and online weather systems. Seminar attendees walk through flight planning from a pilot's viewpoint, including gathering and analyzing weather information from all available resources.
Schweizer, Jeppesen team Up
Schweizer Aircraft Corporation has teamed up with Jeppesen Sanderson to offer flight training materials for helicopter students and flight schools. The student kit includes training books geared to instruction in Schweizer 300CB helicopters leading to private and commercial certificates. A deluxe version of the kit also has a navigation plotter and flight computer.
The private and commercial certificate training course for Schweizer helicopter flight schools is based on Jeppesen's video helicopter school. For more information about the student kit, contact your local Schweizer flight school or Jeppesen Sanderson at 800/621-5377. For information about the flight school course, contact Jeppesen at 800/525-7379.
Schweizer also is offering a leasing plan for its 300 and 300CB single-engine piston helicopters, as well as a 20-year financing plan through Green Tree Aircraft Finance. For more information, contact Schweizer at 607/739-3821.
SCHOOL NEWS
Comair announces scout scholarship
Comair Aviation Academy has awarded its first-ever Boy Scout scholarship towards its professional-pilot course to John Robert Winter of Dalton, Georgia. The scholarship is worth $2,000 toward the academy's professional pilot course. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be a registered Aviation Explorer Scout, or Life, or Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. For more information, call (800) 822-6359.
University flies GPS
Mankato State University, a four-year university in Mankato, Minnesota, will use GPS equipment in its collegiate aviation program, including GPS instrumentation and a personal computer-based flight training device with a Northstar GPS. All aircraft, including its Cessna 152s, are equipped with the standard instrument package. The university cited the Northstar's simple-to-use, easy-to-learn operation. "With Northstar's equipment, we really appreciate the effort the company has made to in creating a user-friendly system," says John Roberts, director of the aviation program at Mankato State.
University offers non-degree program
The University of Dubuque's Department of Aviation Programs has developed a special program for non-traditional and non-degree-seeking students. For more information about the UDAP, call 800/7-CALL-UD.
UND adds new Barons
The University of North Dakota Aerospace has added two new Beech Baron 58 aircraft to its fleet of more than 80 aircraft. This is the third addition of new aircraft to the fleet in recent times; last year, the university purchased four Diamond DA20 Katanas and five IFR Piper Warriors.
The Barons will be part of the Spectrum ab-initio pilot training program. They will be used for crew training and the Line-oriented Flight Training (LOFT) program, in which students fly airline-style missions during their advanced training.
"The all-weather capability of these airplanes and state-of-the-art equipment will give our students an outstanding learning environment as they prepare for their airline careers," says UND Aerospace Dean John Odegard. For more information, call 701/777-2781.
AIRLINE HIRING
Airline pilot hiring maintained its strength in February. If it continues the current hiring rate will produce approximately 4,000 new jobs at the major airlines, more than 4,800 at the nationals, and 13,750 new pilot jobs overall in 1998. Around 80 percent of the reporting airlines hired pilots in February, with the national lines being the most active segment. US Airways is the only major airline with pilots on furlough. American Airlines began its first new-hire class in five years.
Micco takes flight
The Micco SP20 - the rebirth of the Meyers 145 and a two-place, low-wing, tailwheel-equipped, retractable gear, 160-knot, 200-hp, bubble-canopied aerobatic airplane - has made its first flight towards FAA recertification. Micco, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, says the aircraft is on schedule for production this year. The VFR version of the aircraft will sell for $135,000, and the IFR version, including S-Tec autopilot, will sell for $149,500. For more information, contact Micco at 561/465-9996.
