More than 100 instructors and flight educators gathered at the Oshkosh, Wis., Wittman Regional Airport terminal on July 27 for the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators’ (SAFE’s) annual member dinner during EAA AirVenture.
SAFE, which announced the approval of its nonprofit, charitable organization status at the dinner, had much to celebrate from the past year, including the group’s training symposium, held in May in Atlanta. The symposium came on the heels of AOPA’s own flight training industry gathering held last year at AOPA Aviation Summit in Long Beach, Calif.
SAFE Chairman Doug Stewart said the symposium, which resulted in a detailed report that is currently soliciting industry comments, “exceeded our wildest expectations.” Directly as a result of the symposium, a number of companies, including ASA and Sporty’s, released training syllabi that are now open to the public.
Stewart said the focus this coming year will be on creating successful and lasting change. “To keep this moving forward it’s going to take a lot of energy,” he said.
Presentations included handing out the Founder’s Award to Robert Wright, and the Service Award to Glenna Blackwell. The group was also serenaded by musician Ansel Brown, who sang his original song, “When you fly.”
