Qualifying Pilots Can Earn FAA WINGS Program Credits

The second SAFE Regional Pilot Proficiency Project (PPP) has been set for Melbourne, Florida March 8–9, 2014, sponsored by Florida Institute of Technology (FIT).

Sometimes described as “graduate school for pilot safety and education,” PPP weekends were developed and are presented quarterly around the country by the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE). The Melbourne event will feature 14 high-level aviation seminars by top national instructors, 11 challenging simulator flight scenarios, food and pilot camaraderie. Instructional and simulator sessions will run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday and the Saturday evening banquet will feature noted aviation business guru Nick Frisch moderating a group discussion on The Art of Teaching in the Cockpit.

Early-bird tuition for the weekend-long program ranges from $30 for a single seminar to $225 for the full weekend. Qualifying participants may receive FAA WINGS program credit as well as insurance Accident Forgiveness from SAFE sponsor Starr Aviation Insurance.

“Conscientious pilots polish their flying skills every day,” said Doug Stewart, SAFE Executive Director, “but only during a quarterly Regional Pilot Proficiency Project can they work with some of the nation’s top instructors to take their skills to the next level.”

One of the most challenging scenarios available in FIT’s full motion simulators is a maximum performance takeoff from the demanding Johnson Creek mountain strip in Idaho, complete with tall trees and close-in mountains on all sides. Other scenarios available during the weekend include a full ILS to minimums and a visual approach to a narrow runway with crosswinds.

In addition to the seminars and simulator sessions, participants will be able to compete for a ZULU.2 headset in an Xwind landing contest presented by Lightspeed Aviation. Pilots may practice their skills at any time during the weekend in preparation for the contest at midday on Sunday, March 9th at the Melbourne Airport.

SAFE’s inaugural Regional PPP was held in late October in San Marcos, Texas, where participants were high in their praise for the content, teachers and the challenging scenarios flown in RedBird FMX simulators. A report from that event is available online.

Sponsors of the SAFE Regional Pilot Proficiency Project include RedBird Flight Simulations, Starr Aviation, Lightspeed Aviation, ForeFlight, and Aero News Network.

FMI: www.pilotproficiencyproject.org