The numbers are in and the active pilot population for 1998 rose 0.3 percent to 618,298 compared to 616,340 in 1997. The total number of student certificates held increased to its highest level since 1995, rising 1.7 percent to 97,736 in 1998 compared to 96,101 in 1997. The number of people holding private pilot certificates has remained virtually unchanged, decreasing 0.2 percent to 247,226, a loss of only 376 pilots over the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of commercial pilot certificates held dropped 2.6 percent to 122,053, and the number of ATP certificates increased by 2.9 percent to 134,612. In 1998, the number of pilots qualifying as CFIs increased 1.4 percent to 79,171. Figures for pilots holding instrument ratings were not available at the time of publication.
Nall Report details GA safety trends
The 1998 Nall Report from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, a complete review of all general aviation accidents in 1997, shows that safety problems remain virtually unchanged. ?As in previous years, the leading causes of 1997 fatalities were continued VFR flight into instrument conditions and low-level maneuvering flight,? said Bruce Landsberg, ASF executive director. ?These ?accidents? should more properly be called ?judgment failures.?? In 1997, 74 percent of all accidents and 71 percent of fatal accidents resulted from pilot-related causes. Weather-related accidents, which were more likely to be fatal than other accidents, comprised 19.5 percent of all fatal pilot-related accidents. VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) continued to be one of the most frequent causes of fatal accidents. More than 82 percent of all fatal weather-related accidents involved VFR into IMC. More than one-quarter of all fatal accidents involved maneuvering flight. And almost half of fatal maneuvering accidents occurred ?during low, slow, flight.? Some of these accidents happened during legitimate activities such as aerial application and banner towing, but 63.5 percent occurred during personal flights. ?Many of these accidents involved ?buzzing? or low-level aerobatics,? said Landsberg. ?No increase in proficiency can prevent those accidents. Only a change in attitude can.? For a free copy, write: Nall Report, AOPA Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Enclose $2 for handling and shipping. The 1998 Nall Report is also available on AOPA Online (www.aopa.org/asf).
AOPA hosts annual fly-in June 5
Longer hours, more seminars, and a special appearance by noted aviation educator and humorist Rod Machado will highlight AOPA?s ninth annual Fly-In and Open House, scheduled for Saturday, June 5, at AOPA headquarters on the Frederick (Maryland) Municipal Airport. This year?s fly-in will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a result of member requests to extend the hours of the event. The event has grown larger each year and is considered one of the premier aviation events in the Mid-Atlantic region. Last year, more than 600 aircraft and 6,500 aviation enthusiasts and their families participated. This year, a record 70 exhibitors, a robust display of new aircraft, and additional seminars are expected to draw an even larger crowd. Free seminars include sessions on decision making, GPS for VFR operations, single-pilot IFR, and a cockpit companion session for nonpilots.
Aircraft rental Web site tops the 1,000 mark
RentalPlanes.com announced that it now has nearly 1,100 aircraft listed on its online database. The RentalPlanes.com Web site (www. RentalPlanes.com) allows pilots to search for aircraft to rent based on criteria selected by the user and includes listings from across the country. The service is free to pilots and aircraft managers.
CompuServe drops EMI flight planning
CompuServe has ended its relationship with EMI AeroCorp, the flight planner provider. Mayo Stuntz, president of CompuServe, said that the decision came, in part, because EMI needed software modernization and had a Y2K problem. As an alternative, Stuntz said that CompuServe users will still have access to free DUATS providers from CompuServe?s aviation area. CompuServe also has a relationship with Flight Brief, a substitute for EMI. From the CompuServe aviation area users can connect to Flight Brief for flight planning information and filing similar to that offered by EMI. The Flight Brief service costs $9.95.
Pilots have chance to be captain for a day
United Airlines Services is expanding its Pilot for a Day program, which allows pilots and nonpilots the opportunity to get a taste of professional pilot training. A variety of packages are available, including some that offer a simulator briefing, a full flight simulator session, and a tour of the flight center. Thirty-six flight simulators are part of the program and available models include the Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777, Douglas DC10, Douglas DC8, and Airbus A320. Anyone interested in participating in the program should contact Jill Anderson at 303/780-3626 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Flyer buys Southern Aviator
The Southern Aviator trade magazine serving general aviation has been acquired by Northwest Flyer, Inc., publishers of the nationally distributed Flyer. No immediate changes are planned for The Southern Aviator, which will continue to be published as a separate magazine with offices in Raleigh, North Carolina. The magazine?s administrative functions will shift to Northwest Flyer?s headquarters in Tacoma, Washington.
Young Eagles Day introduces kids to flight
Saturday, June 12, has been selected as the sixth annual EAA Young Eagles Day. The event seeks to introduce thousands of children around the world to flight in a single day. The day will feature dozens of flight rallies around the globe during which volunteer pilots take children for airplane rides and introduce them to the fun, excitement, and career opportunities in aviation. Last year more than 15,000 young people participated. For a schedule of events, visit the Young Eagles Web site (www.youngeagles.org).
Related Articles
