The role of the Federal Aviation Administration's Aviation Safety Program and the people that volunteer as Aviation Safety Counselors needs to be defined and explained so that everyone has a better understanding of who, what, when, where and why.
Aviation Safety Counselors are appointed by the local Flight Safety District Office for a period of one year. They are selected on the basis of their knowledge regarding aviation, a high level of interest in aviation safety, the respect of community airmen, and the public trust they have gained through professional abilities. An appointment as a counselor does not grant authority to that person to act, at any time, as an official representative of the FAA. A counselor's services should be made available to any person having an apparent need for assistance or guidance.
Aviation Safety Counselors fill a need and provide a much appreciated service to the aviation community. Because of budget constraints, each FSDO has an Aviation Safety Program Manager for the entire district. He's the guy who comes to your local FBO or safety meeting and shows a film, gives a short talk, and then drives to the next meeting. This arrangement was greatly improved with the appointment of counselors. They can now act in his behalf and, with the guidance and supervision of his office, present bigger and more complex safety meetings.
Counselors arrange for meeting places, speakers, refreshments, mail-outs, door prizes, advertising, and anything else concerning a particular meeting or event.
Who are these counselors? Usually local pilots, flight instructors, FBO operators, and other members of the general public who are concerned with aviation safety. Could this be you? Why do they give their time and effort FREE?
Most people in aviation are not greatly concerned with the amount of money they make. If they were, they would be in some other profession.
Why are Aviation Safety Counselors willing to give of their time to the supposed enemy, the FAA? Most fully understand that the enemy is us, and without proper information given to us on a regular basis, we tend to have problems. Then we meet the FAA.
Somewhere in the United States, week in and week out, over 4,000 Aviation Safety Counselors arrange a Safety Program/Wings Seminar and make it possible each year for almost 1,000,000 aviation enthusiasts to attend a program of their choice free of charge.
Lastly, WHY? It sure isn't for the money! Every Aviation Safety Counselor I have met has demonstrated an interest above and beyond flying. They share an interest in making aviation in general safer and the pilots involved more aware of the ever changing rules and regulations. It also allows them, in some cases, to help the pilot who finds they are at odds with the FAA. It never hurts to have a friend who knows someone who can help you.
This program, only in effect for about 20 years at the FAA, is probably the most under used and often misunderstood program they have to offer. But this is the same program that makes the "WINGS" program and the "Poker Run" and several other fly-in type meetings available to you and your friends and associates. It really needs your full support. I've always felt that this is the biggest effort made by the FAA and General Aviation to bridge the ever widening gap that is between us. Join with me and the other Safety Counselors and attendees of these programs to see that the gap doesn't get any wider. This is important to the future of General Aviation.
There are several ways you can personally participate, and any of them would be greatly appreciated. You can financially sponsor an event in your area, either at your airport or any specified meeting place of your choice, by renting the building, reimbursing a speaker that must travel to the site, or furnish the refreshments or door prizes. You could also become a speaker for aviation safety yourself. At the very least, attend the next function offered in your area and tell the Aviation Safety Counselors you meet that you think they are doing a great job. Offer your help for the next time they are invited.
Need more information? Talk to an Aviation Safety Counselor you know at your very own airport or call the local FAA FSDO and ask for the Safety Program Manager. Brochures and other material are always available by mail or you can pick them up at the FSDO. Can't find out any information locally? Give me a call and I'll get something out to you in the mail that will help you in your search. Don't put it off.
Come out to the next meeting advertised in your area and start participating in the "WINGS" program. Become an Aviation Safety Counselor. Make a contribution of time and/or money to the next seminar. Do something! Remember, this is your craft we are trying to save!
I'll see you in the air! Remember, pilots who don't fly have no advantage over people who can't fly.
Jim Trusty is a former National Flight Instructor of the Year (1997), the first ever Southern Region FAA Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year (1995), holds the "Master CFI" designation from the National Association of Flight Instructors (1998), and works daily as a full-time, free-lance flight instructor at MQY in Tennessee. He has been a contributing writer for national publications since 1973. He welcomes your comments. You can reach him at 103 Highland Drive, Old Hickory, TN 37138-1617, or 615-758-8434.