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Releasing its 20 Year Aerospace Forecast, the FAA has again highlighted important considerations for the aerospace industry. Noting growth in the U.S. domestic passenger carriage sector over the next 20 years, the FAA credited positive economic indicators and lower overall oil costs that airlines experience. Coupled with this is an expected continued growth in regional jets, which we all know will continue to need pilots to keep them flying. While many factors were noted and considered in the report, a couple directly relate to the training industry.

The full report highlights the fact that mainline airlines are credited with greater numbers of enplanements (they fly aircraft that carry more people) they also typically have a higher “revenue per mile” than the “regional” airlines. To some degree this has been corollary with the efforts of regional airlines to fly aircraft with greater seat loads while at the same time the FAA notes that “the regionals have less leverage with the mainline carriers than they have had in the past as the mainline carriers have negotiated contacts that are more favorable for their operational and financial bottom lines.” It goes on to note that, “Furthermore, the regional airlines are facing some pilot shortages. Their labor costs are increasing as they raise wages to combat the pilot shortage while their capital costs have increased in the short term…” Continue reading →

The FAA Wings program through the FAA Safety Team (www.FAASafety.gov) is a national effort to “improve the Nation’s aviation accident rate by conveying safety principles and practices through training, outreach, and education; while establishing partnerships and encouraging the continual growth of a positive safety culture within the aviation community.”

For many pilots, interaction with the FAA Wings program or its activities comes through local seminars, online content, or their flight instructor giving them Wings credit on a flight review. But there is much more!

One specific example of a way to get FAA Wings credit is when an applicant completes an FAA practical test with an examiner. Most practical tests such as a private pilot certificate, commercial certificate, instrument rating, or initial CFI certificate count for big blocks of Wings credit, and all you have to do is request credit of the DPE who conducted the test.

As a DPE, I am trying to do a better job of giving credit, but I also note that few of my applicants are registered for the program.

If you aren’t, you can find much more information about the FAA Wings Program at www.FAASafety.gov, where you can also register for an account that will be associated with your FAA airman’s record to get Wings credit. Once you have done this, you can collect your credit.

Oh, one more thing, if you get or give credit, you are eligible for yearly sweepstakes drawings. This past year’s winners can be found by visiting https://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/noticeView.aspx?nid=8286.

Ok, so that’s it. It’s free. It promotes safety. And if you have completed a practical test you are eligible for credit. Just ask your DPE (me if I am the one that gave you a test) and we will validate your request.

Want a quick way to find a couple of the specific links? Here are a few common ones for you to use:

Request Private Pilot Practical Test FAA Wings Credit

Request Instrument Rating Practical Test FAA Wings Credit

Request Commercial Pilot Practical Test FAA Wings Credit

Request CFI Initial Practical Test FAA Wings Credit