WingsOfun.com BLOG #47: June 2, 2014
WELCOME PILOTS
I’ve been a bit infatuated by a quote from an AvWeb article titled, “Redbird Filling the Vacuum.” The story mentioned the benefits of the new Redbird “Flying Challenge” program that is attracting potential pilots interested in competitive activities that are tied to technology and gaming. Reflecting on the program, the author Paul Bertorelli stated, “When I was instructing primary students, I always felt that with the right resources, any reasonably able person could largely teach himself to fly, with the instructor intervening only as a problem solver and coach.”
When people ask me about learning to fly, I point out my top suggestion, use flight simulators extensively. This includes all varieties; from FAA approved Redbird simulators to unapproved PC based simulators such as, Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Planes. The cool thing is that later Microsoft versions of Flight Simulator come with virtual flight instructor Rod Machado (he’s also a real person). I could see an initiative to offer free copies of a flight simulator program to prospective pilots along with information on earning a pilot license.
I agree with the author of the AvWeb article that technology (and a fun competitive environment) can bring more people into aviation. We should embrace the positive aspects of flight simulation that can give potential pilots a nudge in the right direction.
Many of you know my long-time friend Mark Grady through his work with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI). A little known fact about Mark is his work writing and producing independent films. I encourage you to check out his last film, “Whistling Pines,” a southern based comedy. While not an aviation theme, the film is “family friendly,” and you might recognize the actor that plays the mayor of the ficticious small southern town. The best part is that it can be seen free on YouTube at; http://youtu.be/jYTgoFQ1OvM.
~TC Freeman
“Keeping the fun in high performance aviation training.”
*http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/Redbird-Filling-
the-Vacuum-221746-1.html
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PILOT SAFETY MINUTE VIDEO #47 ~ SURVIVING THE FAA RAMP CHECK
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Need a Speaker for your Next Event? We Can Help. See the Article;
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GETTING THE BIG PICTURE
By TC FREEMAN
I might be “speaking out of school” as the expression says, but I want to let you in on a conversation I've been having with aviation educators from high school, college and university programs across North Carolina. It all began with the question, “Is there a benefit to bringing aviation program leaders together for cooperation on making aviation education better for students?” The answer seems like a “no-brainer,” a resounding “Yes.” Unfortunately, below the surface there exists an element of competition between aviation programs in the state that I think serves no one. While these institutions have seats to fill, the changing landscape of aviation and education has signaled a major paradigm shift. The way I see it, the aviation education system is stronger working together than apart.
The challenges of today’s aviation flight student are multi-faceted. Student debt, the high cost of flight training and the large hurdle between graduation and the right seat of a regional airline is a formidable challenge. While most graduate with approximately 250 hours of flight time, what happens between 250 and 1,500 hours is important.* Fifteen hundred hours of flight time important because it is the new minimum experience requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to get into the right seat of a regional airline. Bringing in the aviation industry, such as flight schools, corporate flight departments and regional airline representatives can start a dialog on how to better prepare students for a career track and beneficial networking opportunities for internships.
Community Colleges have historically survived by serving their local communities. If a college representative were to go outside of his or her county to solicit opportunities it was seen as extremely improper. Times have changed, the Internet allows students to take classes from anywhere in the world. In fact, when I was attending a university last year there was a soldier that was taking his class online from the Middle East. He would literally sign off from class stating he had to go on patrol. Amazing! Back to the point, the key component of harnessing the power of online classes is that class credits can be easily portable to another program. For instance, a student taking an online course at a community college should have no problem getting full credit for the course at the university level, commonly called an Articulating Agreement. Creating a smooth transition is a win-win situation for the community college and university.
Cooperation is not only limited to pilots but also Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) students. The industry is recognizing the importance of lifelong education. Earning an A&P and never touching a book (or computer) again is a thing of the past. Educational institutions should make it easy for aviation professionals to go back and pick up a Minor degree or certificate in a specialty subject, Non-Destructive Testing-NDT) for example, no matter where they attended originally.
I'm excited to be a part of the initial dialog in bringing together the aviation institutions across the state for the betterment of aviation as a whole. As with any such endeavor it's important to get beyond networking (which has its merits) and solve some of the “big picture” issues facing aviation students. We should never forget that doing something significant is what makes life rewarding. Can you think of a better example we can set?
*The “1,500 hour rule,” as it is called by the industry, can be reduced up to 500 hours if the student earns a four-year degree. Two-year schools can qualify for 250 hour reduction.
About the author:
TC Freeman has been flying since he was a teenager and is now an aviation speaker and author. Being employed as an Aviation Safety Specialist for state government, he has a passion for spreading the thrill of flying just for the fun of it via the website, www.WingsOfun.com.
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“We are excited to donate this segment of the WingsOfun
BLOG to this great program that promotes; airport visitation,
education and tourism.” ~TC FREEMAN
BLOG to this great program that promotes; airport visitation,
education and tourism.” ~TC FREEMAN
OPERATION: FLY NC NEWS
Discuss OP: Fly NC with fellow pilots at:
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Stamp NOTAMS (See the previous stamp NOTAMS)
Upcoming Events: Good for OP: FLY NC stamp/signature, most posted to:
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*June 7, 2014 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) NC Aviation Museum and Hall
of Fame Fly-in, Asheboro Regional Airport (HBI). Community
and pilot fly-in event featuring “Angels Playmate” P-51
Mustang, vendors, hot rods, youth activities, museum and
more.
of Fame Fly-in, Asheboro Regional Airport (HBI). Community
and pilot fly-in event featuring “Angels Playmate” P-51
Mustang, vendors, hot rods, youth activities, museum and
more.
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IMPORTANT AUDIO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE:
“OPERATIONS AT NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS”… for pilots flying just for
the fun of it.
the fun of it.
Available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tcfreeman
(Run time: 34 minutes)
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NEWS FROM THE WEB
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*INCLUDES SPECIAL CAREER PILOT SECTION!
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FAA promotes new weather initiative.
*WingOfun Call to Action: “Senate Acts On Third-Class Medical Exemption” (AvWeb). A quote from the article from Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, "The FAA has had two years to review this request for an exemption.....Let's get this thing moving."
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Senate-Acts-On-Third-Class-Medical-Exemption221581-1.html
Contact your elected officials in support of the “expansion of the driver’s license medical exemption to more (non-commercial) pilots. To find your senate representatives go to:http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM THE WEB ~ Candy Bombers Remembered
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Senate-Acts-On-Third-Class-Medical-Exemption221581-1.html
Contact your elected officials in support of the “expansion of the driver’s license medical exemption to more (non-commercial) pilots. To find your senate representatives go to:http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM THE WEB ~ Candy Bombers Remembered
http://youtu.be/1obiI4RVAw0
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*Operation: Fly NC program
Questions? Contact: tom@wingsofun.com
