Preflight

Program promotes pilot proficiency

In the flight-training community, we talk about "earning your wings" as a euphemism for successfully completing the flight test to become a recreational or private pilot. The temporary airman certificate we receive from the designated pilot examiner is an important piece of paper - it shows that we've achieved a level of proficiency that allows us to make aeronautical decisions independent of our flight instructor. This new independence allows us to carry family and friends aloft with us, as well, to share our joy of flight and the fruits of our training labors.

Did you know that after earning a pilot certificate, you can continue to earn your wings? These wings don't require computerized knowledge tests or a checkride, although you should expect to hit the books - a little, at least - and you'll get to do some flying as well.

Through the FAA's Wings pilot proficiency award program, you can earn a new set of wings every year. The program encourages pilots to stay current, proficient, and informed. Participating pilots must receive three hours of flight training from a certificated flight instructor and attend one FAA-sanctioned seminar within a 12-month period. The flight instruction emphasizes takeoffs and landings, air work, and instrument procedures. Pilots who complete the program receive a lapel pin, certificate, and credit for the flight review requirement of FAR Part 61. The completion date of the training, not the date of the award presentation, becomes your flight review date.

Taking the concept a step further, a Wings Weekend offers pilots an opportunity to complete all the requirements for one phase of the Wings program over a weekend, or even in one day. The flight instruction can be conducted in your own airplane or a rental - and while you have to pay the aircraft expenses at a Wings Weekend, the flight instruction is free.

Wings Weekend participants also must attend at least one of the educational seminars that will be presented. There is usually a choice of five to 10 presentations, with some programs offered more than once to accommodate flight schedules. Some weekend programs include elaborate banquets with special guest speakers, and almost all offer food - a pancake breakfast, a hamburger lunch, or maybe a barbecue dinner.

Wings Weekend programs are conducted at the local level - usually by a specific FAA Flight Standards District Office, and often in conjunction with a state aeronautical agency. The best places to learn of upcoming Wings Weekends are on the bulletin board at your local airport or on the Internet. Here are a few upcoming Wings Weekends - maybe there's one near you. If you know about one that we missed, please let me know and we'll share it with AOPA Flight Training readers.

• Indiana - Wings Weekend 2003 will be held May 30 through June 1 at Greenwood Airport in Greenwood.
• New Mexico - The Farmington Wings Weekend Mountain Flying Seminar will be held in September (exact dates have not been announced).
• Pennsylvania - Wings Weekend 2003 (a combined effort of the Allegheny and Charleston, West Virginia, FSDOs) will be held October 3 through 5 at Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin.
• Kentucky - Wings Weekend 2003 will be held September 18 and 19 at Bowman Field in Louisville.

Some Wings Weekends for 2003 have come and gone - Galveston, Texas, April 4 and 5; Fresno, California, April 19 and 20; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Jamestown, Virginia, and Yakima, Washington, April 26 and 27; and Lawrenceville, Georgia, near Atlanta, May 2 through 4. Most of these events are held about the same time each year, so if you missed your opportunity for 2003, you'll know when to look for information next year.

Participation in the Wings program is limited to certificated pilots with a current medical - you will be pilot in command for the instructional flights - but student pilots are always welcome to attend the safety seminars, exhibits, and dinner, or just hang out and talk about flying with participating pilots and flight instructors. FAA Advisory Circular 61-91H, "Pilot Proficiency Award Program", lists the specific requirements that must be completed. AOPA Online offers more information.

And if you can't make it to a Wings Weekend, don't let that keep you from participating. Attend a safety seminar, perhaps one of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's many free offerings; schedule three hours of dual instruction with a local CFI (which you'll have to pay for, but it's a small price to pay for proficiency, and you'll need that flight review anyway); collect signatures for each step on a Wings card; and send it to the FAA safety program manager at the nearest FSDO. You'll get your Wings pin and certificate by return mail.