FAA Administrator To Keynote The Two-Day Event
The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators GA Pilot Training
Reform Symposium will kick off Wednesday morning, with as many as
300 invited participants expected to attend.
The symposium will focus on training reform as a cornerstone for
reducing fatal accidents, increasing student pilot starts, and
improving student retention.
Participation in the symposium is by invitation from SAFE as
well as by request from stakeholders in the pilot training process.
At least 150 top aviation professionals are expected to convene at
the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, GA. According to Symposium
Committee Chair, Bob Wright, “We could expand to accommodate
up to 300 attendees if demand dictates.”
In addition to finalizing keynote speakers, SAFE is assembling
as many as 24 distinguished individuals drawn from industry,
academia, the flight instructor community, and FAA who will be
divided among six moderated panels. The panelists will propose
necessary changes to training doctrine, standards, and curricula,
as well as flight instructor training, testing, and accreditation
that will ensure a robust future for general aviation.
Breakout groups, charged with further analyzing the issues
raised and crafting additional recommendations, will convene on day
two of the event. Summary reports from the breakout sessions will
be presented to a special Industry Leadership Panel. Critical
recommendations will be forwarded to specific organizations,
including the FAA, for further action against an established
timeline.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt will deliver a keynote speech
during the symposium. The administrator will address “Meeting
the Training Challenges of the Second Century of Flight” on
the second day of the two-day event. Other speakers include Mel
Cintron, Manager, General Aviation and Commercial Division
(AFS-800), FAA Headquarters.
Breakout panel discussions on a variety of topics will be
led by:
- Safety – J.J. Greenway, Chief Flight Instructor &
Safety Director, AOPA Aviation Safety Institute
- Growth – Julie Filucci, Manager, Cessna Pilot
Centers
- Doctrine – Robert Wright, President, Wright Aviation
Solutions LLC
- Standards – Pat Knight, Seven-time Master Instructor
& Designated Pilot Examiner
- Curricula – Rich Stowell, Rich Stowell’s Aviation
Learning Center
- Aviation Educators – Mike Gaffney, Flightlogics Aviation
Consulting
- Industry Leadership – Martha King, Co-Owner, King
Schools, Inc.
As a key stakeholder in the symposium, ANN will be videotaping
many of the speeches and panel discussions at the event. They will
be archived on our website, as well as being presented as Aero-TV
features.