May 5, 2014
Contact: Steve Hedges
301-695-2159
FREDERICK, Md. – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation has joined with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and over a dozen other general aviation (GA) stakeholders on an eight month safety campaign titled, “Got Weather?” to help GA pilots prepare for potential weather challenges they may encounter during the 2014 flying season.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced the program May 4 in Anchorage, AK at the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering.
“GA pilots have an opportunity to make a real difference in improving safety this season by asking friends and family to get engaged in the campaign, by being prepared, and fine tuning their pre-flight decision making skills,” Huerta said. “The “Got Weather?” campaign takes advantage of the tremendous resources our GA partners have for pilots to improve their skills and knowledge.”
According to AOPA Foundation’s Air Safety Institute, weather is the most lethal of all major causes of GA accidents.
“Weather is the one variable in flight that we haven't certificated,” said Bruce Landsberg, leader of the Air Safety Institute, “and Mother Nature's performance is capable of overriding forecasts and aircraft specifications. The best preparation is a full understanding of what you're up against. We proudly support this campaign and applaud the FAA for taking on this vital safety initiative.”
The “Got Weather?” safety campaign will run through December and each month feature a new weather topic such as turbulence, thunderstorms, icing, crosswinds and the weather resources available to pilots. Pilots can go to the website to get fast facts about the topic and links to partner videos, safety seminars, quizzes, proficiency programs, online training, case studies and more.
AOPA and the other “Got Weather?” partners will share materials, link to the website and promote the campaign on social media. To view the program, go to: Got Weather? Also, follow the program at #GotWx on Twitter, Facebook, and You Tube. FAA Mobile is at http://www.faa.gov/mobile/ .
The AOPA Foundation’s mission is to improve aviation safety through the Air Safety Institute, preserve community airports and encourage learning to fly for career and personal benefit—all in the interest of ensuring the future of general aviation in America.
ASI is funded through donations to the AOPA Foundation. For more information, please visit: www.AOPAFoundation.org .
The “Got Weather?” campaign partners are: the AOPA Foundation, Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), American Electronics Association (AEA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), GA Joint Steering Committee, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA), Soaring Society of America (SSA), Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), University Aviation Association (UAA), U.S. Parachute Association (USPA).
Since 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly for thousands of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts. AOPA is the world’s largest aviation member association, with representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., and seven regions across the United States. AOPA provides member services that range from advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, flight planning products, safety programs and award-winning media. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org.
- AOPA -
14-2-007
