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From: bob@ulose.UUCP ( Bob Bismuth )
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Pilot Proficiency Program
Message-ID: <107@ulose.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 8-Jun-85 10:14:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: ulose.107
Posted: Sat Jun  8 10:14:50 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 10-Jun-85 20:29:53 EDT
References: <799@ihnp4.UUCP> <3837@alice.UUCP>
Organization: CADMUS Computer Systems, Lowell, MA.
Lines: 53

> Putting it differently: suppose we know that people who participate
> in PPP stay out of trouble.  Mightn't it be that the sort of
> person who participates in PPP is also the sort of person who
> knows enough not to do stupid things?
> 
> One must be very careful about trying to draw statistical
> conclusions about a self-selected sample.

On the face of what you suggest, I'd agree - those who try to better 
themselves are generally those who don't wind up in the trees or smeared
over the side of a mountain. However, having recently attended an FAA Air
Safety Seminar, I'm not sure this is true.

I went along with a genuine interest in learning of what I could do to
improve my flying. I was disapointed to find that the safety talks only
covered pratices which I already thoroughly follow. I thought the 
presentations very childish, almost scolding in nature.

I was going to write the whole thing off to a wasted day when I looked at
the audience. Most of the pilots there were really learning something for
the first time. I concluded that the FAA, with offers of door prizes, 
reduced insurance rates via the wings program and the ultimate prize, 
rides in a P51 and Vampire, had actually got hold of some of the ears
they wanted to pour words into.

It was a pity that people who appeared like sensible sorts needed this 
sort of reward to sit and listen to what was, on the whole, good pilot
sense and good common sense. I fly most of the time VFR in a craft without
any electronic navigation, with only 1 gyro (turn/slip) and a compass to
show me the way.

Couple to that a lack of flaps, 65 hp and a tailwheel, and you have the
formula for sharpening your pilot skills. Cross countries are fascinating -
you have to be continually weather conscious, really be capable of pilotage
and know the winds like the back of your hand (particularly close to the
ground). Though I try never to relax my vigil, to me those things are
second nature. Not apparently to those who attended the safty program.

Makes me wish the FAA would subsidize instruction schools who use J3 Cubs,
Aeroncas, Luscombes, Cessna 120/140's or even (yes Jeff) Funks. I've heard
that sentiment echoed by old-timers and until I'd tried flying Classics
never realized why.

One question I do have is for the CFI's out there. Participation in a Safety
Seminar needs to be followed by 3 hours of dual to get start the wings
program. None of the local CFIs I know really know what that dual is supposed
to cover. Does anyone out there know? It's covered in AC61-91c (or b - not
sure which), but I don't have a copy.

    --  bob
	(decvax!ulose!bob)