In cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, state and federal governments, aviation industry representatives, volunteer groups and other organizations – the Division of Aviation's Safety and Education section creates and promotes a variety of safety and educational opportunities for operators, aviation workers and others.
Content for programs is based on information received from accident data from the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's "Nall Report." Customer demand and trends are also factors.
Descriptions of specific programs that the Division of Aviation supports are below.
| Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation Courses | The Division of
Aviation partners with the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association to
sponsor professional safety courses that are usually offered alongside
the fall and spring Wings fly-in events, with additional presentations
offered the following week. |
| North Carolina Annual Soaring Safety Summit | The annual Soaring
Safety Summit brings together soaring pilots from across North Carolina
and the East Coast to serve the needs of a unique community of aviators
who fly unpowered aircraft. The event is sponsored by regional soaring
organizations, the Division of Aviation and the Federal Aviation
Administration. |
| Helicopter Safety Summit | The Division of
Aviation co-sponsors an annual Helicopter Safety Summit, bringing in
industry experts and representatives for presentations on new
technology, regulations and trends. Accident data, industry technology
and customer demand are factors in the topics selected for the summit. |
| Mountain Flying Clinics | Twice a year, the
Division of Aviation co-sponsors a Mountain Flying Clinic that includes
seminars as well as flight training by experienced mountain flying
instructors. The division works with local representatives to encourage
pilots to participate in this educational program through aeronautical
chart safety messages, mailers, posters and peak-visitation class
scheduling. |
| Wings Pilot Proficiency Program | Qualifying under the
Federal Aviation Administration's Pilot Proficiency Program (also known
as the Wings Program), this event features safety seminars, flight
proficiency training and aviation exhibits to encourage pilots to
receive training more frequently than the FAA's mandatory two-year
program.
The Wings Program allows pilots to meet their mandatory FAA
training requirements (FAA Flight Review) by successfully completing a
combination of online classes and lectures, then receiving flight
training from an FAA-certified flight instructor.
Pilots are required to fly to a "performance standard" to meet
the FAA's Wings requirements. Class topics are based on current accident
data provided by the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board and the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's Nall Report.
|
| Flight Instructor Workshops | The best way to evoke
positive change in pilot education is to become a flight instructor
certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Division of
Aviation co-sponsors an aggressive program to offer 32 flight instructor
workshops each year. Topics are selected using current accident data,
trends and expert opinion. |
| Aviation Maintenance Technician/Inspection Authorization Safety Programs | Aviation maintenance
safety is an important component to flight safety. The Division of
Aviation partners with industry experts to offer programmed instruction
and facility tours across the state to help aviation maintenance
technicians complete the Federal Aviation Administration's Aviation
Maintenance Technicians awards program and meet inspection authorization
renewal requirements.
Aviation maintenance
technicians with an advanced inspection authorization standing can
complete their yearly eight-hour training requirement (if applicable) by
attending four two-hour programs or one eight-hour program. Eight-hour
programs typically occur in March, corresponding with the inspection
authorization renewal month requirement.
|
| Flying Companion Course | Designed for "frequent
flyers" in general aviation aircraft, the Companion Pilot Course gives
participants flight confidence through a better understanding of
aircraft systems and operations. Opportunities are available during many
of these events to fly with a flight instructor certified by the
Federal Aviation Administration. |
| Public Education | The more the general
public knows about aviation, the better. The Division of Aviation offers
speakers to a number of public groups to talk about aviation, airports,
aviation safety and/or state government aviation. |
| Youth Aviation Education | To support youth
aviation education in North Carolina, the Division of Aviation
co-sponsors an Aviation Explorer Post, "A Day at the Airport" programs
and aviation youth camps. It also offers career days and educational
materials for young people interested in the field.
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