A superior pilot is one who stays out of trouble by using Superior judgment to avoid situations which might require the use of Superior skill.

Beginning in 1999, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will conduct a two-year evaluation of new air traffic management concepts and technologies in Alaska and Hawaii to help accelerate the pace of safety and efficiency improvements throughout the U.S. aviation system.

The goal of the "Ha-laska" (Hawaii-Alaska) project is to demonstrate that existing technologies can support the concept of "free flight"--a revolutionary air traffic management concept that greatly increases users' flexibility to plan flight routes and operate aircraft. These technologies include the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation satellites, digital data link for communications, navigation and surveillance, and conflict probe and safety alert systems on the ground and aboard aircraft.

The free flight concept to be tested in the Ha-laska program could, in its ultimate form, let pilots fly whatever route and altitude is best for the existing conditions. The advantages include fuel and time savings from flying more direct routes and a more efficient use of airspace to accommodate aviation growth.

The FAA and its industry partners already have conducted simulation tests and laboratory demonstrations of all the free flight technologies separately. But to make a rapid transition to a modernized system across the United States that takes advantage of these technologies, a complete operational system evaluation must be done under real operational conditions prior to system-wide deployment. This will significantly reduce the learning curve and pave the way for a faster and smoother transition to the new modernized system. It also will help ensure that the money spent to modernize the U.S. air traffic system will achieve the intended benefits.

Another objective of the Ha-laska evaluation will be to help find ways to reduce the cost of avionics as well as the cost of certifying this on-board equipment. The FAA believes true system-wide safety and capacity benefits will be realized only if there is virtually universal equipage of aircraft.

Alaska and Hawaii were selected as evaluation sites because of their unique features. Hawaii offers a controlled environment with an affordable fleet size to do full-scale evaluation safely and quickly. Alaska offers similar advantages, plus a wide range of weather conditions and rugged terrain to help evaluate the safety benefits of providing weather displays, collision avoidance alerts, and other safety information directly to the cockpit.

Approximately 2,000 aircraft in both states will be equipped with compatible on-board avionics. These include all commercial and general aviation (non-commercial) aircraft in Hawaii (about 600) and 1,400 commercial aircraft in Alaska. Approximately 100 military aircraft also will be similarly equipped. Funding issues are currently under consideration.

Join all of the nice folks in Maui for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) pancake breakfast and lunch. A static display of approximately 30 aircraft and model aircraft will be represented. Trophies will be given to best in show, best home built, and best restored and many others. Call and have your aircraft on display.
Date: Sunday, June 15, 1997, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Kahului Airport (OGG) East ramp
Contact: Art Chenoweth, EAA President, (808)579-8027

The General Aviation Council of Hawaii (GACH) is sponsoring a Fly-In with a spot landing contest at the Hana Airport.
Date: Saturday, June 21, 1997, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Bring your own grub and stuff)
Location: Hana Airport (HNM)
Contact: Hank Bruckner, CFI/ASC, Editor of the GACH Newsletter, 836-1031

Q. I am a German Private Pilot with motor glider rating. May I use the hours I accumulated in Germany toward a U.S. Private Pilot Airplane Certificate?

A. Yes, flight hours are flight hours--you may use the hours you have toward a U.S. Private Pilot Certificate, except where the FAR (61.109) specifies airplanes , you would be required to get that time in an airplane. Example: If you had all the times required by the regulation (61.109) in a glider, you would only need to get 3 hours of flight instruction from an authorized instructor, including at least 3 hours in airplanes, in preparation for the private pilot practical test within 60 calendar days prior to the test. You would also have to have 10 hours of solo flight time in airplanes (ref. 61.109(a)(2)(i)).

Q. In 1996 what were the General Aviation (GA) accident statistics?

A. National Transportation Safety Board released 1996 GA accident figures that showed only 1.51 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours last year, the lowest GA rate since record keeping began in 1938. Fatal accidents declined 13% to 358 in 1996, compared with 411 in 1995.

WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

PHASE I
Val Dearborn
Bobby G. Sides

PHASE IV
Timothy S. Hart

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