AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE RELEASES NEW COURSE TO HELP PILOTS AVOID RUNWAY INCURSIONS

Feb. 20, 2015

          Contact: Steve Hedges
                        301-695-2159
                        [email protected]

FREDERICK, MD – The Air Safety Institute (ASI) of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has released a new course on Runway Safety that will help all pilots avoid dangerous runway incursions.

The 45-minute ‘Runway Safety’ course takes participants through a series of airport trouble spots, including confusing signs, complex taxiway and runway layouts and unclear communications, all of which could lead to runway incursions or aircraft collisions on the ground.

The updated course also focuses on coping with real world cockpit distractions, such as the increased attention pilots often give to advanced avionics, GPS systems and tablet computers while taxiing.

“Many pilots feel that taxiing their aircraft is an almost benign segment of their flight,” said George Perry, senior vice president of ASI. “But experience shows that such complacency can get them into a lot of trouble very quickly, endangering themselves and others. This new course gives pilots the tools they need to stay safe at any airport.”

Runway Safety is available to all pilots – not just AOPA members – and includes several actual incursion case studies that demonstrate how conflicts can occur during seemingly routine flights. This ASI course also includes instruction and tips from several air safety experts, as well as quizzes on airport situational awareness.

Since a first version debuted 14 years ago, ASI’s Runway Safety course has helped thousands of pilots cope with the complexities of airport surface operations. This new course is optimized for use on mobile devices, so users can take it with them.

Since 1950, AOPA’s Air Safety Institute has served all pilots—not just AOPA members—by providing free safety education programs, analyzing safety data and conducting safety research. ASI offers award-winning online courses, nearly 200 live seminars annually throughout the U.S., flight instructor refresher courses, webinars, accident case studies and other materials to help pilots be safer and better informed.   

ABOUT AOPA

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., Wichita, Kans., 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. 

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