AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2008 - (Page 22) AOPAACTION AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION Fun, free interactive courses let you learn at your own pace I f you’ve ever taken one of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s interactive online courses, you know they’re a fun, free way to learn (or review) things that could make you a safer pilot. For those who haven’t taken a course, though, there are a few things to consider. First, let’s clear up a common misconception. Some pilots run for the hills at the sight of the word “course,” picturing themselves sitting at the computer for a whole semester, pulling all-nighters, cramming for exams…you get the idea. But even the longest ASF interactive course takes less than 90 minutes, and most fall in the 45-minute range. Still need convincing? You can ditch class whenever you want. Course progress is automatically saved, so you can pick up right where you left off. Not that you’ll want to quit. At ASF, we’re proud that our interactive courses don’t follow in the grand tradition of the educational snooze-fest. We stick to the important information, and use graphics, video, and interactivity to keep things fun. In addition, many of our courses qualify for credit in the FAA Wings program and meet the “accident forgiveness” requirements of certain aviation insurance providers. So check out the interactive courses area of the ASF Web site and see what catches your eye. With 20 courses to choose from (and more on the way) on topics like GPS, mountain flying, thunderstorm avoidance, IFR approach charts, and aging aircraft, you’re sure to find something interesting (www.asf.org/courses). 2007 Nall Report finds GA accidents at historic lows T ASF SAFETY SEMINARS March 3 March 4 March 5 March 6 March 10 March 10 March 10 March 11 Rochester, MN Cedar Rapids, IA Bellevue, NE Olathe, KS Birmingham, AL Northbrook, IL Ypsilanti, MI Marietta, GA March 11 March 11 March 12 March 12 March 13 March 13 March 18 March 31 Springfield, IL Cleveland, OH Peoria, IL Whitehall, OH Rockford, IL Indianapolis, IN Newton, MA Morristown, NJ Tentative schedule; visit the Web site (www.aopa.org/asf/seminars) for confirmed information. he general aviation accident rate continues its decade-long decline, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. So concludes the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s recently released overview of GA accident statistics, the 2007 Joseph T. Nall Report. The annual report, which analyzes accident data from the previous year, is recommended reading for pilots who want a high-level overview of the state of aviation safety and the pitfalls to avoid in their own flying. Good news first: The year saw historic lows for both total and fatal accidents (down 8.3 and 6.5 percent, respectively). Pilots also had 33 percent fewer fatal maneuvering accidents than in the previous year. On the down side, however, there’s been no reversal in the negative trend in weather-related accidents, and—as if to counterbalance the reduction in maneuvering accidents—there was a significant increase in the number of descent and approach accidents. Regular Nall Report readers won’t be surprised to learn that pilot error remains far and away the largest cause of accidents—or that the lion’s share of those accidents (40.3 percent) happened during landing. So, where does all the data point? To continued emphasis on pilot education. ASF recently rolled out a live safety seminar (Top Five Mistakes Pilots Make) designed specifically to give pilots a “more bang for their buck” guide to avoiding the deadliest cockpit errors. In addition, the coming year will see the foundation release a live seminar on takeoffs and landings, as well as interactive courses on topics as diverse as aerodynamics, aeronautical decision-making, and IFR charts. To download a copy of the Nall Report, visit the Web site (www.asf.org/nall). A limited number of printed copies are available; to request one, call 800-USA-AOPA. AOPA PILOT • 22 • MARCH 2008 http://www.asf.org/courses http://www.asf.org/nall http://www.aopa.org/asf/seminars
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