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May 01, 2021

SAFE: New Master CFI Portal Ready For Action

New Website Has A New And Easier Submission Portal

The Master Instructor Program, which officially affiliated last month with SAFE (the Society of Aviation and Flight educators), has opened a new website and made submitting applications easier for prospective Master Instructors. "As strange as it may sound, the FAA never created a continuing education recognition program for aviation educators," explained David St George, SAFE Executive Director. "The Master Instructor Program, created by Sandy and JoAnn Hill in 1997, is now part of SAFE, and provides this essential motivation and recognition for professional educators in all parts of aviation."

First VR Based FSTD Qualification

EASA has granted the first certificate for a Virtual Reality (VR) based Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD). The device, for rotorcraft pilots, enhances safety by opening up the possibility of practising risky manoeuvres in a virtual environment. This addresses a key risk area in rotorcraft operations, where statistics show that around 20% of accidents occur during training flights. The device was developed and built by VRM Switzerland. “This is a significant milestone in the evolution of Flight Simulation Training Devices,” said Jesper Rasmussen, EASA Flight Standards Director.

A Local Resident... Heard And Felt A “Boom” That Shook The Windows

On April 19, 2021, about 1346 central daylight time, a Cessna 340A airplane, N801EC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Tatum, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight test. According to information provided by a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at the East Texas Regional Airport (GGG), the intention of the flight was to do a functional test of a newly upgraded autopilot system. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that the airplane took off from runway 13 at GGG about 1340.