Opportunities Abound To Further Your Aero-Knowledge

by ANN Correspondent Dave Ziegler

I have to admit that, as an instructor and FAA Safety Team representative, there's a hidden agenda behind most everything I do concerning aviation, and that is to promote pilot proficiency and safety awareness. Thankfully, AirVenture is making that task easy for me, as no other single event offers pilots so many opportunities to learn something new while having a lot of fun in the process.

In this article, we'll explore just a few of the seminars, presentations, and exhibits that not only educate and enlighten, but also entertain.

Get Yourself Disoriented

Those who desire a better understanding of spatial disorientation are invited to try the US Air Force's equilibrium simulator, accessible all week long from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at the EAA AirVenture Museum (although you might not want to try it immediately after lunch). This simulator allows visitors to experience the effects of vertigo first hand in a safe, controlled environment without having to leave the ground.

In addition, there will be a seminar on spatial disorientation given by Rogers Shaw, an Airman Educations Programs Team Leader at the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. Shaw's presentation is scheduled for Friday, July 27th from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm at the FAA Aviation Safety Center.

Try A Simulator

UND Aerospace will allow free public access to their Frasca simulator, a Garmin G1000-equipped Mentor AATD, at booth #217. In addition, Frasca International, Inc. will be displaying two other simulators at booths 3037 and 3038: A Diamond DA-42 FTD and a Cirrus SR22 FTD with TruVision 180 (Frasca's visual system featuring a 180 degree display system).

After a hands-on Frasca experience, pilots can learn about Xwind, LLC's exciting new simulator at the presentation "Crosswind Landing Practice Without An Airplane," scheduled for Tuesday, July 24th from 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm at the AirBP Pavilion. Brad Whitsitt will describe his company's special motion-based simulator, which is specifically designed to boost crosswind landing skills, and will provide valuable information to help with crosswind landings.

Users of PC-based flight simulators should also consider attending Bruce William's presentation "Microsoft Flight Simulator As A Training Aid," where Bruce will offer specific suggestions to help students, pilots, and instructors use Flight Simulator effectively as a ground school training aid and home study tool. The presentation will be held at the Drake Corporation Pavilion on Friday the 27th from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm.

Discover The New WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program

If you haven't yet participated in the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program, or you have not yet heard of its recent metamorphosis, FAASTeam Program Manager Jim Pyles will explain all on Monday, July 23 starting at 8:30 am and again on Tuesday, July 24 starting at 11:30 am at the FAA Aviation Safety Center. The WINGS program is an excellent way to maintain proficiency, and pilots who complete at least the Basic Phase need not accomplish the flight review requirements of 14 CFR Part 61.

Learn From The Professionals

Commercial pilot, writer, and radio host Mark Grady (below) will both educate and entertain with his presentations at the FAA Aviation Safety Center, including "Regulations: What Every Pilot Should Know" on Wednesday the 25th from 2:30 pm to 3:45 pm, "Airspace" on Thursday the 26th from 8:30 am to 9:45 am, "Say It Right" on Friday the 27th from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm, and "Single Pilot IFR" on Saturday the 28th from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm.

Learn about risk management from flight training all-stars John and Martha King of King Schools. Their presentation, "Kings On Risk Management," is scheduled for Thursday, July 26th from to 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm at the FAA Aviation Safety Center.

Learn about managing the risks of night flying with Max Trescott, a Gold Seal CFI and FAA Accident Prevention Counselor. His presentation, "Night Flying Safety: What Your CFI Didn't Tell You," will be on Friday, July 27th from 8:30 am to 9:45 pm at the FAA Aviation Safety Center, and again from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm at the Sporty's Pavilion. Max's other presentation, "Flying Instrument Approaches With WAAS And GPS," will be on Saturday the 28th from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm at the Honda Generators Pavilion.

Darren Gaines, an Air Traffic Controller and Aviation Safety Counselor, will discuss runway safety at the Sporty's Pavillion on Tuesday the 24th from 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm, and will present a case study on a Controlled Flight Into Terrain accident on Friday the 27th from 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm at the REMOS Aircraft Pavilion.

Also at the REMOS Aircraft Pavilion will be "Being the Best Pilot You Can Be: A Code Of Conduct For General Aviation," presented by Michael Baum, a private pilot, author, and attorney. Baum will explore ways to become safer, better, and more accomplished pilot while discussing the Aviators Model Code of Conduct, which offers recommendations for advancing flight safety and airmanship.

Finally, Greg Feith, formerly of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), offers three presentations at the FAA Aviation Safety Center: "Is Your Defensive Flying Defensive" on Wednesday the 25th from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm, "Excellence In Aviation Safety From Accident Investigation" on Friday the 27th from 2:30 pm to 3:45 pm, and "Lessons Learned" (shown above) on Saturday the 28th from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm.

These are just a handful of suggestions; there are several hundred forums to choose from at AirVenture this year, all with the potential of making us better, safer pilots. For a complete listing, visit the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh website at the FMI link below.

FMI: www.airventure.org/