Aviation Safety Advisory Group

By Kim Stevens

Brian Willett, a retired Air Force instructor pilot, specializing in aerobatic, upset recovery and spin training, has been awarded Master CFI-Aerobatic accreditation.  Willett, an instructor with Aviation Performance Solutions, LLC, (APS) a Part 141 flight school at Mesa’s Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA), is one of only 26  Master CFI-Aerobatic instructors in the world today.

Brian Willett

The Master CFI-Aerobatics designation is awarded to aerobatic flight instructors who meet established criteria that enhance safety and promote training in aerobatics.  The two-year Master Instructor status is earned and renewed through a rigorous process of continuing education, professional development and involvement in the aviation community.  The program allows flight instructors to enhance their abilities as both pilots and educators.

“I was very pleased and excited to join this elite group,” said Willett. Initiated by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) in partnership with the International Aerobatic Club (IAC), the Master CFI- Aerobatic program requires the completion of 32 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) chosen from a schedule of activities that meet credit requirements.  To earn the Aerobatics designation, at least half of those CEUs must be in aerobatics-related activities.

It should be noted, that of those 26 Master CFI-Aerobatic instructors, three of them work for APS at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Willett first became award of APS while President of R&W Aviation Consultants, Inc., a company formed to provide sales and marketing support to aerospace companies that do not have the resources to deploy their own internal Sales & Marketing organization.

“Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) was one of the first organizations I approached,” said Willett. “During my marketing research on APS, I discovered their very unique services and that they had a need for instructors with a special background (military fighter pilot instructor, plus a commercial background, plus a “civilian” aerobatic experience) — a background that I had.” Willett started with them as a contract instructor pilot last year and came on full time in the fall.  ”I have fully enjoyed the experience ever since.”

Despite advances in technology, improved aircraft design and more a thorough certification process over the years, pilots, according to Willett, are still crashing flyable aircraft. Today in both General Aviation and Commercial Aviation flying, the leading cause of accidents and fatalities is LOC-I, or Loss of Control – Inflight.  “One only has to look at the Colgan Air 3407 accident in Buffalo New York, or Air France 447 accident off the coast of Brazil,” said Willett, “to see examples where the pilots were presented an aircraft upset situation, and failed to recognize what was happening and executed improper control inputs and lost control of the aircraft (they stalled); killing everyone onboard.”

Willett said we can’t fully blame the pilots in these situations.  ”Our training system let them down.” Over the last 30+ years the global aviation certification authorities have changed and reduced the pilot licensing requirements.  Instead of teaching pilots what happens in aggravated stall conditions (slip/skidding turn, or cross-controlled stalls) and spins, responsibility was placed on the aircraft manufacturers to design and develop “Spin Resistant” aircraft.   Continue reading »

Colonel (ret.) Mark W. Tillman, the Nation’s 12th pilot and commander of Air Force One, was the keynote speaker at the 39th Annual Arizona Aviation Safety Awards Banquet, held Saturday, November 5th in Phoenix.

Jim Anderson, recipient of the FAASTeam Rep Award

Tillman, was at the controls during numerous prominent national events, most notably, on September 11, 2001 as well as the secret Thanksgiving trip into Bagdad allowing President Bush to serve dinner to the troops.

V. Lee Unger accepts the Communications award for Ryan Tower.

Eugene Sorkine, left recipient of the Maintenance Technician Award.

Following the keynote address by Tillman, the 2011 awards were given in a number of categories.  The recipient of the Maintenance Technician award was Eugene Sorkine with Landmark Aviation.  The Avionics Technician Award was given to Christopher Plumb, of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Prescott. The recipient of the Certified Flight Instructor went to Jerod Bybee, CAE Global Academy. Jim Anderson, Starr Aviation, was recognized as this year’s FAASTeam Representative.  This year’s Communication Award was given to the Ryan Field tower in Tucson.

Rex Ginder accepted the Ruth Reinhold Safety Award on behalf of the AFTW.

This year’s Ruth Reinhold Safety Award was given to the Arizona Flight Training Workgroup (AFTW).   The AFTW is dedicated to improving pilot judgment and decision-making to reduce accidents, incidents and pilot deviations in Arizona.

For the first time, at this year’s banquet, the hot air balloon community was invited to recognize someone from their ranks for demonstrating or representing safety in the Lighter-Than-Air category. This year’s award was given to Eric “Pell” Wadleigh of Page, Arizona. Wadleigh was piloting his balloon near Cottonwood, Arizona, when a motorized hang glider flew into the side of his balloon. Wadleigh was able to safely land his balloon, saving the lives of his passengers.

Dominick Gallo and Randy Prine, both FAA FAASTeam Program Managers, were the evening’s MCs.

Mark Tillman.

The Aviation Safety Advisory Group (ASAG) holds the banquet each year to recognize groups and individuals in Arizona that have made significant contributions to Aviation Safety. This group works closely with the FAA Scottsdale FSDO Safety Specialists.

Eric "Pell" Wadleigh, left and Mike England.

Jerod Bybee, left, recipient of the CFI Award.

Christopher Plumb, right, recipient of the Avionics Tech Award.

Stacy Howard, Special Award Recipient.

Banquet MCs Dominick Gallo, left and Randy Prine.

A recent FAA safety tip says the general aviation accident rate is much higher than it needs to be and most accidents are preventable. Some procedures used by the airlines, who have an enviable accident rate, can be adapted for use in general aviation. The procedures are useable for either VFR or IFR operations.

More thorough preflight planning, use of an approach briefing checklist, and making sure that each approach is stabilized will increase the chance of making those spectacular landings we all strive for.

An excellent discussion of approaches and landings can be found at Gene Benson’s web site at http://www.genebenson.com/app_ldg/app_ldg.htm and a very nice online course is available at http://www.genebenson.com/psych_app_ldg/Psychology%20of%20Approach%20and%20Landing%20Course/player.htmlanding%20Course/player.html. This course also qualifies for WINGS credit.

We invite you to review your knowledge of the principles that lead to great landings!

If you strive to be a more experienced and “compleat” aviator, a new aviation challenge could be just the ticket. Check out the article on page 8 of the Sep/Oct 2011 issue of FAA Safety Briefing which explores different ways pilots can work to become a more well-rounded and safer pilot. From certificates, to ratings, to endorsements and beyond, it provides some helpful clues on how you can keep your skills fresh while expanding your horizons.
The article is available online at: http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2011/media/SepOct2011.pdf

On Aug. 26, 2011, the FAA issued a revised Airworthiness Directive (AD) for select Cessna 150/152 models as well as a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) for Cirrus Models SR20, SR22 and SR22T. The Cessna AD addresses a required change to the rudder stop modification kit. To allow for full rudder travel, new kits will use longer rivets and allow for material to be removed from the rudder horn assembly. The AD is available at www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/airworthiness_directives/.
The Cirrus SAIB addresses an airworthiness concern for a possible asymmetric flap and flap actuator overextension condition in the abovementioned models. The FAA recommends owners perform the actions of Service Bulletin 2X-27-16 R1 at the next scheduled maintenance, annual inspection, or within the next 12 months.