The GAJSC analyzes general aviation (GA) safety data to develop intervention strategies to prevent or mitigate problems associated with accident causes, called Safety Enhancements (SE). These SEs may include procedures, training, and equipment installations that, when implemented, may reduce the likelihood of accidents in the future.
Look for the icons below when you expand any of the SE topics.
Pilots
Mechanics
Flight Instructors
Industry
Loss of Control
Angle of Attack Systems: Public education campaign on the safety benefits of AoA systems supplementing existing stall warning systems.
- Press Release: Cessna Skyhawk Aircraft now Equipped with AOA Systems (April 2016)
- Article: Cessna Skyhawks Flying with Safe Flight AOA Indicators (January 2017)
- Press Release: Safe Flight's Angle of Attack Systems Available for Piper M600 and Trainer (April 2018)
- Press Release: Safe Flight Instrument Corporation Selected by Textron Aviation to Provide Stall Warning / Angle of Attack Indicator for Cessna Sky Courier (October 2019)
- Press Release: Tecnam has Selected Safe Flight Instrument System for P2012 (October 2019)
Angle of Attack (AoA) Systems – Existing Fleet: Public education campaign on the safety benefits of AOA systems supplementing existing stall warning systems.
- FAA Letter on AOA Policy (Dec. 24, 2013): FAA Administrator - Response Letter on AoA Policy
- FAA Memorandum (Feb. 5, 2014): Approval of Non-Required Angle of Attack (AOA) Indicator Policy
- FAA Safety Briefing (June 2014): AOA More than Just a Display - Real World Uses of Angle of Attack
- FAA Information for Operators (July 25, 2014): Installation, Training, and Use of Non-required/Supplemental Angle-of-Attack (AOA) Based Systems for General Aviation (GA) Airplanes
- FAA Memorandum (Dec. 16, 2014): Signed Update PTH Based on GAJSC SE-1-2
- FAA PEGASAS YouTube (2015): Overview of Angle of Attack Systems
- FAA Safety Briefing (May 2018): Pushing the Envelope - A Plan of "Attack" for Loss of Control
- YouTube (April 15, 2021): Angle of Attack Awareness - 57 Seconds for Safety
- FAA Fact Sheet: Angle of Attack
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: Margins of Safety - Angle of Attack Indicators
Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM): Public education campaign raising awareness of the need for ADM, with an emphasis on preflight planning. The FAA and industry will promote the use of FRATs with associations, type clubs, and operator groups. The FAA and industry will review and improve scenario-based training and educational materials promoting ADM.
- AOPA Aeronautical Decision Making - Resource Page
- SE Topic of the Month: Aeronautical Decision Making - Fact Sheet
- YouTube (Jan. 2021): Risk-based Aeronautical Decision Making - 57 Seconds for Safety
- AOPA (Apr. 2024): Conflict in the Cockpit - Accident Case Study Truckee, California
Over Reliance on Automation: Awareness campaign to reduce LOC accidents resulting from over-reliance on automated flight systems.
- NASA Call Back (September 2016): Automation Dependency
- FAA Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO): 17-007, Manual Flight Operations
- FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 61-98D (Apr. 30, 2018): Currency Requirements and Guidance for Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check
- FAA Fact Sheet: Overreliance on Automation
Transition Training: Development of Web-based tools that will aid in all aspects of transition to unfamiliar aircraft across GA, to include Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM), to identify the risk of inadequate training when operating unfamiliar equipment. Public education campaign on the importance of transition training.
- FAA AC 90-109A, Transition to Unfamiliar Aircraft
- AOPA: Transitioning to a New Aircraft - Online Course and Safety Videos
- GAMA Transition Training Syllabus
- FAA Safety Enhancement Topic: Transition Training (January 2022)
- 57 Seconds to Safer Flying: Transition Training (June 2018)
- NTSB Safety Alert: Understanding Flight Experience (December 2015)
- EAA: Flight Instruction in an Experimental Aircraft
Transition Training LODA for EAB: The FAA will amend current policies to more easily allow letters of deviation authority (LODA) from 14 C.F.R. § 91.319(a) through (h) for transition training in experimental aircraft.
Utilization of Type Clubs: Type clubs and operator groups will review the airplane’s existing procedures, if any, and develop simplified procedures and checklists for missed approach, go-around, and other critical phases of flight to reduce the likelihood of fatal loss-of-control accidents caused by high pilot workload.
Flight Training after Period of Inactivity: Awareness campaign to reduce LOC accidents resulting from returning to flying after periods of flight inactivity.
Placing focus on returning to flight after period of inactivity has become a specific focus area during the 2020-2021 pandemic, especially as pilots are returning to flight. The following list provides resources for the pilot community about returning to flight after a period of inactivity as featured in the January/February 2021 FAA Safety magazine:
Part 135 Safety Culture: Public education campaign on the safety benefits of standard operating procedures (SOP) for 14 C.F.R. Part 91 positioning legs, flight risk assessment tools (FRAT), and Safety Management Systems (SMS).
- NTSB Webinar: Implementing an SMS in Small to Midsized Aviation Operations (May 2023)
- NTSB Roundtable: Practical Flight Data Management Solutions for Smaller Operators (October 2022)
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM): Part 135 SMS (January 2023)
- NTSB Most Wanted List: Require and Verify the Effectiveness of SMS for Passenger-Carrying Aviation Operations (MWL 2021-2023)
- National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): Flight Risk Assessment Tool (June 2018)
- Safety Enhancement: FAA Flight Risk Assessment Tools
Stabilized Approach and Landing: FAA and industry to promote and emphasize the use of the stabilized approach and landing concepts through training and guidance material changes. FAA and industry will also review the adequacy of the existing guidance and advisory material on go-arounds.
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: Takeoffs and Landings: Stabilized Approach (2014)
- FAA Safety Briefing: Stupid Runway - Techniques to Avoid Joining the Crash Landing Club (March/April 2016)
- FAA AC 91-79A, Mitigating the Risks of Runway Overrun Upon Landing (September 2014)
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: Air Safety Tip: Aiming Point (2018)
- FAA Safety Team: Stabilized Approach and Landing - Steep Decent Ratios Lead to Unstable Approaches (July 2019)
- NTSB Safety Alert 077: Stabilized Approaches Lead to Safe Landings (March 2019)
- Safety Topic of the Month: Stabilized Approach - YouTube (September 2018)
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: Reality Check: ForeFlight's Takeoff and Landing Performance (2019)
Weather Technology – Weather Cameras: Deploy cost-effective technologies that can provide real-time weather information (including actual conditions as viewed through a remote camera) at remote airports. And, Expanded Weather Camera Network: In order to reduce the risk of accidents due to weather related factors, pilots should rely upon accurate real time weather reporting. The CFIT working group supports SE-12 (Weather Technology-Weather Cameras) as developed by LOC-I working groups 1 and 2 to further expand the network of weather cameras across the U.S. and to ensure greater awareness and accessibility of this safety-enhancing technology by pilots and operators.
- U.S. Aviation Weather Cameras: FAA Website
- Canadian Aviation Weather: NAV Canada WxCam
- FAA Weather Cameras: Program Overview
- FAA Safety Topic of the Month: Personal Minimums and Weather Cameras
- NTSB Safety Recommendation: A-13-025 through -027 (August 15, 2013)
- State Weather Camera Links:
- Washington State
- Idaho Aviation Association
- Integration of Colorado Department of Transportation Cameras (August 2020)
- FAA Safety Briefing: Preflight Planning Gets Safety Boost with FAA Weather Cams (January 2024)
Expanded Weather Camera Network: In order to reduce the risk of accidents due to weather related factors, pilots should rely upon accurate real time weather reporting. The CFIT working group supports SE-12 (Weather Technology-Weather Cameras) as developed by LOC-I working groups 1 and 2 to further expand the network of weather cameras across the U.S. and to ensure greater awareness and accessibility of this safety-enhancing technology by pilots and operators.
- State Weather Camera Links:
- Washington State
- Idaho Aviation Association
- Integration of Colorado Department of Transportation Cameras (August 2020)
Weather Technology – Use of Available Weather Information: The FAA and industry will educate the GA community on and promote the use of available weather information technologies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS) icing tool.
- AOPA Insight Cockpit Weather
- SE Topic of the Month (Nov. 2013; Aug 2019; Feb. 2022): Use of Weather Information
- YouTube (Sept. 2020): Use of Weather Information - 57 Seconds of Safety
Engine Monitoring Technology: The FAA and industry will develop a public education campaign based on the current available technological capabilities on the use of engine monitoring, engine analysis, and fuel-monitoring/indicator systems. The FAA and industry will review the adequacy of the existing engine monitoring, engine analysis, fuel management, and fuel indicator systems technologies. The FAA and industry will emphasize proper use of fuel management software, if equipped, on every flight.
- FAA Safety Topic of the Month: Engine Maintenance and Performance Monitoring
- FAA Safety Topic of the Month: Fuel Monitoring
- FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20-105C, Reciprocating Engine Power-Loss Accident Prevention and Trend Monitoring (January 2024)
Flight After Use of Medication with Sedating Effects: A public education/outreach campaign to promote the understanding of the effects of medications and the need to use current FAA recommendations and guidance on the use of flying while under the influence of medications to ensure that medications do not decrease a pilot’s alertness and increase the risk of subtle or serious impairment of the airman’s flight capabilities. The FAA, Jeppesen, and other flight-training instruction content organizations will include medication awareness training for all pilots in their basic and advanced training curriculums.
They will incorporate the “I’M SAFE” personal checklist from the AIM into the training curriculum, as well as all preflight risk assessment tools for use before each flight. Encourage medical organizations to provide guidance to aeromedical- and nonaeromedical-trained physicians to emphasize the importance of learning if patients are pilots and to recognize the importance of educating pilot patients about the possible hazards to flight associated with medications prescribed to or used by them. The AAM will evaluate the feasibility of the development, deployment, and upkeep of an online “medication wait time tool” that an airman or health-care provider can use to help determine when a pilot could safely operate an aircraft after the last dose of a medication.
- Joint FAA-Industry Letter (2015): Sedating Effects of Medication [Link Pending]
- NTSB Safety Study 14-01: Drug Use Trends in Aviation: Assessing the Risk of Pilot Impairment
- YouTube (July 2017): Pilots and Medication - 57 Seconds for Safety
- AOPA: Medical Self Assessment Course (BasicMed) (June 2021)
- FAA Safety Briefing: Condition Inspection - Allergies and Allergy Medication (May 2018) [Link Pending]
- FAA Fact Sheet: Flight After Use of Medication with Sedating Effects
- FAA Safety Briefing: Aeromedical Advisory: Marijuana and Derivatives
- YouTube (Nov. 2021): Avoiding Adverse Drug Interactions - 57 Seconds for Safety
- AOPA: CBD May be Risky for Pilots - It's In More Products than You Think
Flight with Impairing or Incapacitating Medical Conditions – Improve Medical Records: The GA Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) recommends the FAA Medical Certification Division improve electronic medical records to assist the applicant in accurately reporting previously reported historical medical events/records so AMEs have a complete and accurate history when providing medical examinations
- FAA MedXPress
Flight with Impairing or Incapacitating Medical Conditions – Barriers to Communication: AOPA/Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will work with pilot community to determine additional methods to overcome barriers to open and honest communication of potentially hazardous medical issues and improve pilot professionalism and the ability to conduct accurate medical self-assessment before each flight.
- FAA Guide for Medical Examiners - Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications) Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly
- FAA Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutics) Over-the-Counter Medications (Nov. 2023)
Risk Based Flight Review: The FAA will compile and disseminate risk-based concerns to flight instructors and flight schools to highlight regional and national risks in training and flight reviews. National risk-based concerns identified by the GAJSC in studies for that year should also be shared.
- FAA Conducting an Effective Flight Review (Dec. 2005)
- FAA Advisory Circular 61-98, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check (April 2018)
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: Focused Flight Review
Flight Data Monitoring: Increase GA participation in the FDM program by creating a public education campaign on the safety benefits of FDM programs; assessing the GA community’s current sentiment, perception of, and understanding of FDM before and after the public education campaign; determining the incentives, if any, required to generate a meaningful level of GA participation in a national FDM program; and creating a non-punitive policy to promote the use of voluntary GA FDM programs similar to that used with FOQA. Hold an Aviation Safety InfoShare (InfoShare)-like conference to communicate best practices and encourage other fleet operators and individual owners/operators to participate in a national FDM program.
- Federal Register Notice (March 28, 2014): FAA Statement of Policy - ASIAS for GA Demonstration Project
- Flight Safety Foundation (October 2015): Data Sharing
- MITRE: Getting the GAARD Up (August 2015)
- FAA Safety Briefing (Sept. Oct. 2020): Data Driven Decision Making
- Midair Collision Report (Feb. 2022): GAJSC General Aviation Midair Collision Risk
- Aviation Safety Information Sharing and Analysis (ASIAS) Portal
- FAA Safety Briefing (Jan. 2024): Sharing is Caring. How Voluntary Reporting Programs Benefit Everyone.
E-AB/Flight Test: The FAA and industry will develop a public education campaign based on best practices to guide E–AB aircraft builders on when to reenter a structured flight test phase following a modification to an aircraft. The FAA and industry will review and revise as necessary the adequacy of the existing guidance and advisory material on the issue of CG limits, including lateral, for amateur-built experimental aircraft.
- FAA AC 90-89C, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook
- FAA AC 90-116, Additional Pilot Program for Phase I Flight Test
- NTSB Safety Study 12/01: The Safety of Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft
Single-Pilot CRM: Best practices regarding single-pilot CRM will be identified. The identified best practices should be communicated to the GA community through a public education campaign.
Reduce Regulatory Roadblocks (R3) – Streamline Novel Technology: The FAA will institute streamlined processes in its Office of Aviation Safety (AVS) for certifying and installing novel technology that has a high probability of safety benefits with an accompanying low safety risk.
- FAA PS-ACE-23-08 R1 (April 28, 2016): Replacement of Vacuum Driven Attitude Indicators in 14 CFR Part 23 / CAR 3 Airplanes
- FAA PS-AIR-21.8-1602 (March 31, 2016): Approval of Non-Required Safety Enhancing Equipment (NORSEE)
- FAA-Hosted List of NORSEE Equipment: Current Approvals
- FAA AIR-600-20-690-GM03 (Cancelling AC 20-32B), Carbon Monoxide (CO) Contamination in Aircraft - Detection and Prevention
- FAA Safety Briefing (June 15, 2023): Regulatory Roadblock Reduction
Reduce Regulatory Roadblocks (R3) – Part 23 ARC: The 14 CFR Part 23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) will develop the top-level industry standard, as well as a lower tier standard for the existing fleet of small airplanes. The objective of this part 23 tier is to provide standards appropriate for alterations and modifications of older part 23, Civil Air Regulations (CAR) 3, CAR 4a, and Aeronautics Bulletin No. 7 airplanes. The criteria should include standards for safety-enhancing, nonrequired equipment as well as for general alterations. The burden of proof for low-risk safety-enhancing modifications would be that the equipment does not interfere with existing certified hardware. By providing current standards, FAA approval of safety-enhancing updates should be more efficient and less costly.
- FAA Notice of Availability: Accepted Means of Compliance; Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Airplanes (September 2020)
- Joint FAA-GAMA: Part 23 Rule Rewrite Training Session (May 2017)
- FAA Press Release: FAA Issues Final Rule on Small Airplane Safety Certification Standards (December 2016)
- FAA TV: Part 23 Revitalizing General Aviation (February 2016 - YouTube)
- FAA Public Meeting: Revision of Airworthiness Standards for Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes (April 2016)
- FAA Accepts Part 23 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) Report
- President Barack Obama Signs Small Airplane Revitalization Act into Law (November 27, 2013)
Reduce Regulatory Roadblocks (R3) – Review of 14 CFR 21.8 and 21.9: Review 14 CFR §§ 21.8 and 21.9, and ensure these rules are not unintentionally producing roadblocks to the installation of non-required, safety-enhancing equipment. If these rules are creating an unintended roadblock, create paths that are more cost effective, up to and including using the exemption process.
Pilot Response to Unexpected Events: This Safety Enhancement will be used to educate flight instructors and pilots on the need for preparing for unexpected events in the cockpit, focusing on: the importance of briefing for emergencies; positive transfer of controls; recognition and management of “startle response”.
This work will also better prepare pilots for engine failure after takeoff. Work will include developing best practices, refining the takeoff pre-brief to emphasize what action will be taken dependent on current situation (altitude, airspeed, terrain, etc.) and recommend training/practicing the developed best practices on a regular basis.
- AOPA Safety Spotlight: Emergency Procedures
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: The Runway Behind You
- EAA Inflight Metric - Join the Turnback Research Effort
- YouTube (June 2022)): The Startle Response - 57 Seconds to Safety
Medication List for Pilots: To reduce the risk of pilot impairment or incapacitation from medications resulting in loss of control accidents, the FAA should implement programs to reduce the likelihood of the use, while flying, of prescription and over-the-counter medications that adversely affect the pilot’s ability to safely operate aircraft. Tools to improve pilot knowledge about the safe use of many medications are available to airmen from private advocacy groups such as Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), but the use of these tools is available only to members and not the entire GA community. As the regulatory agency, the FAA should strive, to the fullest extent possible, to improve pilot knowledge and prevent the use of any medications that could adversely affect flight safety. To this end, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in conjunction with industry groups, academia, and the medical community should develop a medication list of approved or acceptable medications along with disqualifying medications that is easily available to all pilots and available online. The online tool should provide accurate aerospace medical guidance about the most common acceptable and unacceptable medications with recommended return to duty times following the use of these medications and provide information about drug interactions. The underlying conditions which the medication treats should be highlighted.
- FAA Guide for Medical Examiners - Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications) Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly
- FAA Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutics) Over-the-Counter Medications (Nov. 2023)
- NTSB Safety Study 2020/01: 2013-2017 Update to Drug Use Trends in Aviation
- FAA Safety Briefing (Jan./Feb. 2022): Aerospace Medicine and YOU
Test Pilot Utilization and Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) Proficiency: The goal of this Safety Enhancement, once fully implemented, is to improve amateur built flight testing safety through greater understanding of test pilot qualifications and listing of test pilots willing to work with homebuilders.
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): Task-Based Phase to Revolutionize Flight Testing (April 2021)
- EAA Interview: YouTube Looking Forward to Task-Based Phase 1 (May 2021)
- EAA: FAA Publishes Task-Based Phase 1 Guidelines (February 2023)
Airman Certification Standards: An integrated Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document that aligns the aeronautical knowledge testing standards required by 14 CFR Part 61 with the flight proficiency standards (“Areas of Operation”) set out in 14 CFR Part 61 and the existing Practical Test Standards (PTS). Once this Safety Enhancement is fully implemented, the goal of introducing risk management into airman testing and training will be realized.
- FAA Airman Testing Standards and Training ARC - Complete File (September 2011)
- ARAC ACS Working Group Reports (search ARAC Website)
- Airman Certification Standards - List of Published ACS Documents
- Federal Register Notice - Airman Certification Standards and Practical Test Standards Airmen; Incorporation by Reference (December 12, 2022)
- Support Docket Information (draft ACS Documents)
- Federal Register Final - Rule - Airman Certification Standards and Practical Test Standards: Incorporation by Reference (April 1, 2024)
Safety Culture: The FAA and industry will study what constitutes an effective safety culture and try to identify how to reach pilots who do not have/participate in an effective safety culture.
- FAA Safety Briefing: Safety Culture (July/August 2019)
- Safety Culture Working Group Report (December 2023)
- FAA Safety Briefing (Jan. 2024): Sharing is Caring. How Voluntary Reporting Programs Benefit Everyone.
- FAA Safety Team Course: Ethics and Safety Culture for GA Pilots (March 2024)
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: Scalable Safety Framework (Free Registration Required)
Safety Outreach
- SE Topic of the Month: Mountain Flying (April 2015)
- SE Topic of the Month: Vmc Training in ME Airplanes (November 2015)
- SE Topic of the Month: Fly the Aircraft First (July 2019)
- SE Topic of the Month: Mountain Flying (February 2019)
- SE Topic of the Month: Pilot Proficiency (March 2019)
System Component Failure – Powerplant
Mitigating the Risk of Improper Torquing: To help prevent fatal general aviation accidents due to failure of the powerplant system, the general aviation community should educate the maintenance community about the fatal and other accident risk caused by improper torquing techniques. The community should also determine if there are potential technology solutions for new and legacy aircraft that can cost effectively be implemented to eliminate or mitigate the risk of improper torquing. One technology that should be considered is Direct Tension Indicating (DTI) technology utilizes visual indications for mechanics to confirm proper torque. Currently, ASTM F959 provides a standard for compressible washer DTI for structural engineer. In their current state, they are single-use mechanical load cells used to indicate when the required tension has been achieved in structural fastener assemblies.
- FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Core Course 2019: ALC-529 Proper Torque
- FAA Magazine: A Most Vulnerable Spot - The Importance of Proper Torque (July/August 2018)
- NTSB Safety Alert: SA-56 Take Time to Torque (October 2016)
Vmc Scenario Training: FAA and industry to encourage the development of training scenarios based on fatal accidents caused by VMC related LOC to be used in multiengine training.
- EAA Proficiency Center: Simulation Missions
Multi-engine Emergency Management Technology: Encourage a research program to develop requirements and performance specifications for proposed VMC-imminent warning device designs under asymmetric thrust conditions, as well as research and develop technological solutions to prevent pilots from feathering the wrong engine. FAA/industry to implement developed solutions.
- Garmin Smart Rudder Bias: Safety Enhancing Technology for Select Multi-Engine Piston Aircraft
- Aviation International News (Sept. 2021): Garmin Certifies Smart Rudder Bias on Cessna 414A
- AOPA: Taming the Twin (August 2024)
Smart Cockpit Technology: Industry to research and develop smart cockpit technology that helps identify emergency situations, prompts pilots (aurally/visually) through pertinent checklist items, and provides instructions based on aircraft position and condition of flight.
Accident Survivability: FAA/industry to research survivability issues and potential solutions (air bags, shoulder harnesses, UV wear indication, helmets, fire prevention, ballistic parachutes, etc.) and implement recommendations.
- FAA Safety Briefing: The Art of Survival (May/June 2019)
- GAJSC Final Report: Survivability (October 2017)
- FAA InFO: 17004 Seat Belt Repairs and Alterations (February 2017)
Mitigating V-Band Clamp Failures: To help prevent fatal general aviation accidents due to failure of the powerplant system, the general aviation community should develop an appliance-specific document addressing the safety of exhaust related v-band clamp assemblies.
Three accidents were identified with v-band clamp issues in the SCF-PP analysis. Specifically noted were fatigue cracking at spot welds that led to exhaust leaks which then propagated into inflight fires and powerplant failures. In some cases the v-band clamp cracking was due to improper installation and in other cases corrosion. In addition to being noted in the SCF-PP dataset, historical documentation has noted an ongoing issue with v-band clamps (reference NTSB accident investigations, and OEM and FAA service documents). Considering the three representative accidents, as well as the historical OEM, FAA, and NTSB documents, the FAA shall investigate the need for an appliance-specific airworthiness directive.
- Type Club Communications about V-Band Clamp AD:
- Airworthiness Directives (AD) Published by FAA since SE Adopted
- Best Practices for Maintaining Exhaust System Turbocharger to Tailpipe V-band Couplings / Clamps (April 2018)
- Turbocharged, Reciprocating Engine Powered Aircraft: Exhaust System Turbocharger to Tailpipe V-band Coupling / Clamp Working Group - Final Report (January 2018)
- SE-42 Amended to SCF-PP Report Approved January 2018: Guidance on V-Band Clamp Failures
- FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB): Engine Exhaust; Tailpipe V-band Couplings (May 2013)
Modernized Maintenance Safety Reporting System: FAA evaluate the feasibility of a modernized maintenance data exchange program to take the place of the current M&D/SDR process and improves the ability to identify issues/trends with components across multiple OEMs and across multiple certification offices.
- Service Difficulty Reporting System (SDRS)
- FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20-109B, Reporting System (Air Operator / Air Agency / General Aviation / Unmanned Aircraft Systems) (November 1, 2023)
- FAA Order 8010.2A, Aviation Safety (AVS) Service Difficulty Reporting System (March 27, 2024)
Maintenance Placard: Industry to develop, distribute, and promote a tool/device to be displayed in the windscreen of aircraft undergoing maintenance and aircraft that have not been maintained in a substantial amount of time.
- FAA Fact Sheet: Maintenance Placards
- YouTube (2018) FAA National Safety Team Maintenance Placards Course
- GAMA Publication 18 Aircraft in Maintenance Placard
A&P Education and Training: Improved guidance and improved availability of guidance to maintenance professionals and improved training and outreach. Additionally, compilation of research and additional research as required in regards to human factors in maintenance.
Ignition Systems: Improve reliability in reciprocating engine ignition systems through research and possible promotion of alternative ignition systems.
- FAA Fact Sheet (Dec. 2017): Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)
- AOPA Aircraft Ownership and Maintenance
- Lycoming Introduces Electronic Ignition System (July 2019)
System Component Failure - Powerplant (SCF-PP) Outreach
- SE Topic of the Month: March 2017; August 2018 (Maneuvering Flight)
- AOPA Air Safety Institute Online Course: Essential Aerodynamics (June 2021)
- SE Topic of the Month: January 2018 – Enhanced Vision System (EVS) – FAA Fact Sheet
- SE Topic of the Month: May 2018 (Best Glide Speed)
Controlled Flight Into Terrain
Augmented Visual Technology for GA: Encourage GA pilots and operators to equip and utilize Enhanced Vision System (EVS)/Synthetic Vision System (SVS) technology to enhance situational awareness with respect to surrounding terrain.
- Cirrus Aircraft: Cirrus Perspective
- CubCrafters Releases New Infrared Camera Tech (November 2023)
WINGS Program Overhaul: FAA to overhaul and develop a plan for continual improvement of the FAA Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS) to make it more user-friendly and dynamic. aspects of the current WINGS program’s automation are not user-friendly, especially for tablet and smartphone users. To encourage greater use of the program and reach more pilots, the CFIT working group recommends refreshing the program’s automation so that it is more user friendly and will work easily on all user devices. In addition, the working group recommends reviewing/updating the program’s training content to ensure it is all up to date and includes CFIT-specific information from the CFIT Working Group’s efforts.
- FAA WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program
- FAA WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program (Apr. 29, 2020)
- WINGS Industry Network
Pressure to Complete a Mission: To identify opportunities for improving awareness of the need to mitigate mission completion pressure on piloting, including sources and types of pressures, and the impact on decision-making. External pressures, while difficult to anticipate, can influence a pilot’s aeronautical decision-making, causing distraction and potential deviation from SOPs. The SE recommends conducting a review of existing measures intended to address pressure to complete a flight, and identifying new opportunities for improved education and outreach to the flying community on the importance of managing pressure.
Terrain Awareness Warning System for GA, Addressing Time-Limited Inhibit, and Future Auto Ground Collision Avoidance: Improve TAWS capabilities and algorithms to better protect pilots operating in areas with challenging terrain, and develop additional safety protections to prevent the permanent inhibition of nuisance TAWS alerts during a terrain-critical flight.
- NTSB Safety Recommendation A-17-035
- FAA Response to NTSB Most Wanted Safety Recommendations (March 2020)
- NTSB Safety Recommendation A-18-015
- RTCA Special Committee (SC) 231 Report (Released 2020): Recommended Solutions to Address TAWS Manual Inhibition CFIT Cases Raised by NTSB Safety Recommendations A-17-035 and A-18-015 and GAJSC CFIT WG SE-54
- RTCA Special Committee (SC) 231: Updated Terms of Reference (June 27, 2024)
Unintended Flight Into IMC: FAA and Industry to revise teaching and training the UIMC escape response maneuver to include an initial climb before any heading change.
- NASA ASRS Call Back (2020): VFR into IMC
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: VFR into IMC Resources
Approach Guidance in Night/Mountainous VFR: To further prevent controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents, the FAA along with pilot organizations, flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) providers, and training providers should conduct an education campaign and/or develop learning modules educating the instrument-current pilot community of the safety benefits of backing up a nighttime VFR approach with lateral and vertical navigation guidance, particularly in mountainous terrain.
- Government Accountability Office (1994): The FAA Can Better Prepare GA Pilots for Flying in Mountainous Terrain
- FAA Safety Topic of the Month (November 2018; 2022 Update): Mountain Flying
- AOPA Air Safety Institute: Backcountry Flying Resources