AOPA Air Safety Foundation unveils 'Know Before You Go'

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation on Monday took the wraps off of a new online training program designed to help pilots navigate safely and legally through the ever-shifting airspace environment. Called Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace, the free, interactive program helps pilots understand what's required of them no matter what type of airspace they're in.

"As pilots in command, it's ultimately our responsibility to know where we're allowed to fly," said ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg. "But between cryptically worded notams and short-notice changes, it can be hard for pilots to stay one step ahead. Know Before You Go is designed to give pilots that extra step."

Know Before You Go is a dynamic, interactive program that not only teaches pilots about the challenges of security-related flight restrictions, but also reviews normal, everyday airspace issues as well. It is now available online.

Pilots taking the course will learn how to interpret notams, especially temporary flight restriction (TFR) notams; how to safely operate in and around TFR and air defense identification zones (ADIZ) as well as flight restricted zones (FRZ), such as SFAR 94 around Washington, D.C.; how to avoid getting intercepted, along with advice on what to do in the event of an intercept. The course even offers a printable "intercept memory card" to keep in your flight bag in case the worst happens.

Know Before You Go also offers useful flight planning tips for every type of airspace across the country, including how to document flight planning to defend yourself in the event of an enforcement action.

Pilots who complete Know Before You Go are eligible for credit in the FAA Wings program and, upon successfully completing the online program, can print out a graduation certificate. That certificate constitutes proof of graduation for the FAA.

Know Before You Go is just the latest in a series of innovative online programs produced by ASF to help pilots fly more safely. All online ASF programs are available at www.asf.org.

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation, the world's largest nonprofit GA safety organization, was founded in 1950 solely to help general aviation pilots improve flight safety. Since that time, the GA total accident rate has dropped by more than 90 percent. ASF live seminars, online interactive courses, videotapes, written Safety Advisors, and other aviation safety materials reached well over 100,000 pilots last year. All ASF safety seminars and interactive online safety programs for pilots are free.

Foundation safety outreach efforts are funded through voluntary donations from individual pilots and companies interesting in promoting general aviation safety.

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