School is still in session

Millions of kids are busting though doors and streaming outside, proclaiming their freedom from the rigors of the classroom. It’s time for them to put the books aside, kick back, and just put life on cruise control for a few months. What a time it is.

For students, there’s a season to learn. For pilots, education is a year-round endeavor. No good pilot I know takes a week off from learning if they want to stay a safe and proficient pilot. Sure, there are many times that we just want to soar and get above it all, but there is never a time for pilots to put education on the back burner. It’s always learning season for us. It certainly is for me.

We can feel gratified that general aviation is coming off its safest fiscal year, according to data that was analyzed by our own AOPA Air Safety Institute. That is especially heartening knowing that the skies have never been busier. More operations can easily mean more mishaps, but we are staying safe while staying aloft.

Are we happy? Yes. Satisfied? No. We’ll never be complacent as one accident is one too many. We need zero tolerance in aviation, and we will do whatever it takes to keep us all stay safe, in the air and on the ground. That is exactly the mindset of the AOPA Air Safety Institute: reducing general aviation mishaps by providing free educational resources and supporting initiatives that improve safety. ASI Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden and his team do an outstanding job engaging the GA community through content that informs while it inspires.

I’m especially excited about two interesting ASI initiatives we launched this year as we reach out and engage the full spectrum of GA pilots. All in the name of life-saving education.

When a CFI or DPE says your certificate is merely a license to learn, truer words in aviation have never been spoken.The first educational program addresses one of the top five causes of fatal GA accidents: pilots flying VFR into instrument meteorological conditions (VFR into IMC). And this one is preventable. The new safety campaign—VFR into IMC: Avoidance and Escape—will run through the rest of this year and feature a range of content. The campaign will focus on addressing the most significant cause of weather-related accidents in general aviation.

It’s important to note that this initiative is not just for the new pilot or the VFR pilot—it’s for all aviators as one-third of these accidents involve instrument-rated pilots. Every aviator could use a bit of continuing education on this subject.

And for those who like to fly on, off, or above the beaten path, the ASI team developed a new Backcountry Resource Guide. Flying in the backcountry has grown in popularity, but it also brings its own set of unique challenges and risks. ASI has gathered a range of resources, such as videos, quizzes, and downloads, to help start your safe journey into the backcountry.

Take a look at the ASI website (airsafetyinstitute.org) for a variety of articles, videos, and courses to stay sharp.

For those just starting out on their (safe) pilot journey—or ready to take off soon—AOPA’s You Can Fly initiative has launched a great new tool to make the most of training, make it easier to understand progress, and perhaps lessen the cost of your instruction.

The AOPA Flight Training Advantage (AFTA) was created by our flight training team so that all students can stay on the same page as their CFI and flight school and fully know where they stand and need to progress. I’m sure you know that pilots are planners and not big fans of uncertainty—this removes any doubt you may have throughout your training.

Think about this program as an ongoing discussion between you and your instructor, even when you’re not together in the flight deck or classroom. You’ll always have real-time access to your progress and next steps, while your CFI can track and create lessons.

It may sound a little hokey, but when a CFI or DPE says your certificate is merely a license to learn, truer words in aviation have never been spoken. Stay flying, stay informed, and stay safe.

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