The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) has submitted a comprehensive response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), Air Ambulance and Commercial Helicopter Operations… (Docket No. FAA–2010–0982; Notice No. 10–13). In addition to input from other members, the principle authors of the response included SAFE members Mike Coligny, a five-time Master Instructor, and Randy Rowles, the country’s first Master Instructor-Helicopter and chair of the Helicopter Association International Flight Training Committee.

SAFE has offered numerous recommendations in support of and in opposition to aspects of the helicopter NPRM. For example, SAFE supports the mandate that all pilots who conduct Air Medical operations must hold an instrument rating appropriate to the category/class aircraft they fly.  On the other hand, SAFE does not believe the FAA should mandate Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS) in lieu of other proven technologies such as Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS, e.g., night vision goggles). The complete response is available at www.SafePilots.org/documents/SAFE_Response_Helicopter_NPRM.pdf

SAFE represents more than 500 of the industry’s top aviation educators, including numerous local and national General Aviation Award winners in the flight instructor, aviation maintenance, avionics, and FAA Safety Team categories. SAFE is also chairing the GA Pilot Training Reform Symposium in Atlanta, GA on May 4-5, 2011.