A Global Positioning System (GPS) Primer: Beyond the Basics

GPS navigation is a wonderful way to go direct to your destination. But how else can you use it? In this class you will learn how to make the most effective use of your GPS; including: entering routes, getting the most from data fields, joining an airway, descent planning, flying approaches, and much more. Regardless of whether you are a Visual Flight Rule (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) pilot, using either panel-mounted or hand-held equipment, there is something in this seminar for you. The speaker, Doug Stewart, is the 2004 National Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) of the Year, a Master CFI, a Designated Pilot Examiner, and a FAA Safety Team Representative.

Aerodynamics Refresher

Loss of control is a consistent leading causal factor of aircraft accidents. The underlying reason for a large percentage of these accidents is a misunderstanding of basic aerodynamics. Join FAA Safety Team Lead Representative Mike Lessard for a thorough discussion of this safety-critical topic. Michael will use a wind tunnel to visually demonstrate the airflow around a wing as it transitions from flying to a full stall. Learn about the four forces, Bernoulli’s Principle, airfoils, terminology, stalls and spins, wing designs, engineering principles, different types of drag and the drag curve. A discussion on maneuvering flight will address glides, load factor, and how to avoid some of the common hazardous flight conditions that lead to accidents. We will examine age old questions, such as how much is enough altitude to “turn back to the airport” after an engine failure, and others. In this seminar, you will restore your knowledge and confidence in aerodynamics, and know you are a safer pilot.

Aeronautical Decision Making

Have you ever continued Visual Flight Rule (VFR) into deteriorating weather conditions, found your fuel gauges had become your primary flight instruments, or found yourself just airborne and wishing you had done a density altitude calculation as part of your preflight planning? In this class we will explore why, even with the recent emphasis on aeronautical decision making and risk management, pilots continue to make poor decisions. Risk management techniques will be discussed that you can apply to your flying to help avoid these seductive traps. Our presenter is Aidan Seltsam-Wilps, Chief Flight Instructor at Daniel Webster College and FAA Safety Team Representative.

Anatomy of an Accident, the Missing Learjet

On Christmas Eve day, 1996, a Lear 35 crashed while making an instrument approach to Lebanon Airport, NH. The accident triggered a well-publicized major search-and-rescue attempt that proved unsuccessful. Three years later a hunter discovered the wreckage of the aircraft. The cockpit voice-recording transcript of the flight crew’s final minutes revealed some very interesting human factor issues. A review of the errors in this mishap might very well help prevent a re-occurrence of the tragic sequence of events of that day. Join former FAA Safety Program Manager Bob Martens for a very informative session.

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Liability

Mark Santangelo is a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII), a FAA Safety Team Representative, and an aviation attorney. He will discuss legal liability issues for Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs). What are the risks to your job and your estate? What situations pose the greatest liability potential and what can you do to mitigate the risk. Learn from actual examples how the legal system operates in a post-accident environment. Avoid having your name listed in a courtroom docket. Take this class and become a better informed flight instructor.

Flying Around Skydive Operations

There are over 50,000 skydives made in New England each year, and over 3 million country-wide. This presentation will teach you best practices in flying safely around skydiving operations, and provide useful information on skydiving centers and demonstration jump locations in New England. Mike Hawley, our speaker, is a skydive instructor and evaluator with over 3, 500 jumps, a United States Parachute Association (USPA) Safety and Training Advisor, and a FAA Safety Team Representative.

Flying in the Wind

Wind is a factor in over 50% of takeoff and landing accidents. FAA Safety Team Representative and Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Hobie Tomlinson designed this course for pilots and flight instructors who wish to increase their understanding of flight operations on windy days. He will discuss techniques for dealing with various kinds of wind events in tricycle gear aircraft, conventional gear aircraft, and seaplanes.

Flying into Class B Airspace

Boston Radar Approach Controller and FAA Safety Team Lead Representative Bob Adelizzi will provide an overview of flight procedures in Class B airspace. Learn about pilot/controller communication procedures and operating techniques to make your flight in Class B airspace safe and efficient. If you are thinking about flying to Cape Cod and the islands from northern New England - this seminar is for you.

Night Flying

Night flying can be safe and fun, but it poses its own unique challenges. Visual illusions and reduced visibility can be threats to spatial orientation, navigation, weather avoidance, obstacle clearance, takeoff and climb, approach and landing operations, and airport ground operations. Proper planning and setting personal minimums are key factors in keeping night flights from becoming apprehensive or tragic. Join us for an in-depth discussion about how to deal with night flight operations. The speaker will be FAA Safety Team Program Manager John Wood. Flight instructors are encouraged to attend with their students.

Non-Towered Airports Operations

What are the accepted methods for entering a traffic pattern at a non-towered airport? Are straight-in approaches legal? What is the proper way to communicate your position and intentions? How do you best utilize information on sectional charts when planning your arrival or departure? With more than 12,000 non-towered airports in the country, it is critical to know proper operating procedures. Join us as we answer these questions and discuss all aspects of operations at non-towered airports. The speaker, John Anderson, is an Airline Transport Pilot/Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (ATP/CFII) and a FAA Safety Team Lead Representative.

Personal Minimums

During your preflight preparation - do you consider your personal minimums for the upcoming flight? The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Airmans Information Manual (AIM) provide mandates and guidance, but can’t cover all situations at all pilot experience levels. Understanding and establishing a set of personal minimums is a global remedy to preventing accidents of all causes. Daniel Webster College (DWC) Manager of Curriculum of the School of Aviation Sciences and former Air Force pilot, Curt Harvey, will lead this interactive safety event. Come learn from a pro how to establish a set of personal minimums to help guide you to a good go/no-go decision.

Pilot Proficiency - What Insurance Claims Can Teach You

When we go out to maintain proficiency, are we practicing the things that actually avoid accidents? This forum will share the statistics and experience of one of America's leading aviation insurers to help you make the most valuable use of your precious training time. The speaker will be Jim Lauerman, President, Avemco Insurance Company.

Proper Preflight Inspection

How long does it normally take you to prepare for your flight? Have you ever considered the critical importance of a good preflight inspection? This seminar will provide safety information that could save your life. There will be a brief classroom lecture followed by a trip to the hangar for a discussion and hands-on demonstration of an actual aircraft preflight inspection. The speaker is FAA Flight Standards, Airworthiness Specialist, Tony Janco.

Runway Safety

Runway Safety continues to be at the top of the FAA’s safety agenda, and for good reason - the single largest loss of life in an aircraft accident occurred because of a runway incursion. In this class we will examine several recent runway incursions and surface incidents, and discuss how each one could have been prevented. In addition, we will take a look at the best practices for operating on airport surfaces at towered and non-towered airports. The speaker is FAA Runway Safety Program Manager Harry West.

Safe Civilian/Military Operations

As recently as February 2006, a civilian pilot was killed in a single plane crash after colliding with an Air Force jet. This seminar was developed to promote an information exchange between civilian pilots and the military flight safety community. Captain Chris Dillman, Safety Officer with the 157th ARW NHANG will discuss Military Operating Area (MOA) penetration hazards, visual identification, speeds at which military aircraft fly in different configurations and mutual hazards to safe flight. There will be videos of midair events with both civilian and military aircraft. Come learn who the Air Guard is and how the GA pilot can operate safely with them throughout the New England area.

Single Pilot Instrument Flight Rule (IFR)

Single pilot IFR is a complex and task-intensive operation. A pilot operating a small aircraft in IFR conditions must be an aviator, navigator, communicator, systems manager, flight planner, trend monitor, and sometimes flight attendant. What can the pilot do to reduce the workload and increase safety? What tools are available for the IFR pilot? The speaker, Doug Stewart, is the 2004 National CFI of the Year, a Master CFI, a Designated Pilot Examiner, and A FAA Safety Team Representative.

Spatial Disorientation

Spatial disorientation is the most lethal general aviation accident precursor. The seminar is presented by specialists from the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. They will guide pilots in discussion of the many faces of spatial disorientation and suggest practical strategies and tactics for coping with this acknowledged killer. In this seminar you'll learn how to identify potentially disorienting situations before it's too late. You’ll also learn the most likely flight environments for spatial disorientation and how to avoid them. Additionally, you’ll have an opportunity to experience the effects of spatial disorientation in the Vertigo Chair, the most advanced spatial disorientation simulator in the country.

Summer Weather Flying

The summer season in New England brings increased convective activity, restricted visibility with potential for spatial disorientation, density altitude, performance limitations, etc.  A variety of publicly available sources of weather information can provide pilots with clues for anticipating specific weather hazards during the summer season and to help develop strategies for mitigating these threats.

Temporary Flight Restrictions/Air Defense Identification Zone/Special Use Airspace (TFR/ADIZ/SUA) - Traps for the Unwary Pilot

In the last few years we have seen significant changes in the Special Use Airspace (SUA) structure of the country. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) and Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) airspace have become much more commonplace. What is the purpose of Special Use Airspace? What are the flight restrictions imposed by it? How does a pilot avoid intruding into it? Where can a pilot go to download a graphic chart outlining the extent of the airspace? What are the legal ramifications of transgressing Special Use Airspace? These questions and others will be answered in a seminar designed to address flying in the world of SUA. The speakers are David Knowles and Chris Poreda. David is a FAA Aviation Safety Inspector and has been responsible for processing all Washington ADIZ airspace transgressions for the last two years. Chris is the FAA Regional Counsel in charge of the New England Region Legal Department. These two men have seen it all. Come learn from the experts.

Terrafugia's Roadable Aircraft: Bringing a New Level of Safety to Light Sport Aviation

Taking advantage of new FAA regulations in the Light Sport Aircraft category, Terrafugia developed the Transition® to provide pilots the convenience of a dual-purpose vehicle. Its unique design allows the Transition® to fold its wings and drive on any surface road with a modern personal airplane platform. Once at the airport, the wings extend and the aircraft is ready for take-off. Both folding and extending the wings is done from inside the cockpit.

The Transition® addresses head-on the issues private and sports pilots face: cost, weather sensitivity, high overall door-to-door travel time and a lack of mobility at destination.

The Inner Game of Flying

How simple is it to perform a steep turn using commercial standards when with our trusted instructor or when alone in the cockpit; yet how difficult is it to perform this task for the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)? How easy is it to perform a perfect Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach in Clear Skies Visibility Greater than 6 Miles (CLR P6SM) with a safety pilot? How much does it scare us to do the same approach to minimums? How important is it that we are able to perform the tasks expected of us under difficult conditions and not just under ideal circumstances? The answers to these questions are all related. It is exponentially more difficult in the latter situations. Why is that? The Inner Game is being played and we are losing. The Inner Game concept is that “human beings significantly get in their own way” while performing tasks, simple or complex. Consequently, this seminar is not about learning something new, but about pulling away the layers of interference that we, as human beings, impose on ourselves. Our speaker, Paul Beaulieu, is a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) and FAA Safety Team Representative.

Training for the Pilot Companion

This ground school course is designed to help the non-pilot feel more comfortable with flying and teach them to safely handle the airplane in case of pilot incapacitation. Companions who frequently fly can learn how to function effectively as a cockpit crew member and assist the pilot. Pilots who fly regularly with a non-pilot should use this course to build their companions’ understanding of aviation, appreciation for flying, and confidence in the airplane. This course includes 5 easy to comprehend units on basic aircraft control, interpreting the instruments, radio communications, navigation, and making a safe landing. The speaker, Ed Marks, is a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) and FAA Safety Team Representative.

Understanding Aeronautical Charts

Aeronautical charts and publications contain a wealth of information, some of it never taught, or taught but quickly forgotten. This information can save time, money, frustration, and sometimes lives. What’s an Off Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude (OROCA), a Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF)? Where are non-standard traffic patterns published? Which obstructions are charted and where? Can the mountain pass charted on the sectional be used? Do you have all available information and is it current? How will Global Positioning System (GPS) affect your charts? What are the plans for new products? This presentation offers these topics, as well as others, and gives you an opportunity to ask questions. Our presenter is Dick Neher from the FAA National Aeronautical Charting Group. Dick spent ten years as editor of the Airport/Facility Directory and is an expert in this field.

Understanding Stalls

Looks at some of the reasons why maneuvering flight continues to be one of the least understood and highest accident areas in light aircraft operations. His presentation will discuss the various types of aircraft stalls with the intent of providing knowledge of why they occur, how to prevent them, and accepted recovery techniques.

Winging It

Have you heard about the FAA’s new Wings Program? Earning even the Basic Level counts as: a flight review, can result in lower insurance premiums, and makes you a safer and more knowledgeable pilot. You can earn credit for taking online courses, attending safety seminars, and receiving ground and flight instruction. Your progress is charted in a computer database, so you need not worry about remembering where you put a course completion certificate or Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) sign-off. So what’s not to like? FAA Safety Team Program Manager, Guido Hassig, will take you step-by-step through the details of the program and answer your questions.