Free WINGs Flight Instruction –
An Excellent Opportunity for all Pilots!

Regular proficiency training is essential to the safety of all pilots and their passengers. The objective of the "Pilot Proficiency Award Program" (WINGs) is to encourage pilots to establish and participate in a continuous Personal Recurrent Training Program.

NEW WINGs Program

The WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program is based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight will enjoy a safer and more stress-free flying experience. All proficiency requirements for each phase of the program must be demonstrated to the applicable standard, i.e., Practical Test Standards or Industry Course Completion Standards, etc., designated for the course or syllabus used.

The program is designed to encourage an on-going training program that will provide a participant an opportunity to fly on a regular basis with an authorized flight instructor. With this in mind, three phases or levels of the program have been designed to allow for flexibility in obtaining the level of currency and proficiency one desires. The program is most effective if the training is accomplished regularly throughout the year, thus affording a pilot the opportunity to fly in different seasons and in different flight conditions that may be encountered from time to time. The terms phase and level are used interchangeably throughout this program.

So here is all the technical information, but remember, this is all tracked here on "My WINGS" on the faasafety.gov website for you, so don't get too worried about which phase or what requirements you must meet just yet.

• Basic Phase . This phase is designed for those pilots who want to establish a recurrent training program that will provide them a higher level of proficiency than merely preparing for a normal Flight Review as required by 14 CFR 61.56.

Pilots participating in the WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program to at least the Basic Phase need not accomplish the flight review requirements of 14 CFR part 61, if since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, he or she has satisfactorily completed or currently holds the Basic or higher WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program phase in an aircraft (reference 61.56(e)).

To obtain the Basic phase, each pilot must complete three knowledge credits of instruction and when required, demonstrate proficiency as required in the respective PTS, as outlined in each course description. One or more of these credits are designed to cover current subject matter that the FAASTeam has determined to be critical areas of operation, which in the preceding months have been found to be major causal factors in aircraft accidents. The remaining subject matter credits are left to the discretion of the pilot and may be picked from any elective course or syllabi as deemed appropriate by his/her Authorized Instructor.

This phase requires the use of the Practical Test Standard (PTS) for the pilot certificate held or the Private Pilot PTS, whichever is lower, for the category and class of aircraft used.

A pilot must also complete three credits of flight. Completion of a credit of flight for this or any phase of flight requires demonstration of proficiency in the Area of Operation(s) required for the credit sought, as stated in the appropriate Practical Test Standards.

A current listing of course material, subject matter, FAASTeam events, activities, flight requirements, and credit values can be found by going to your " My WINGS" page when you are registered on FAASafety.gov and signed up for the WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program. This list may change periodically, reflecting the dynamic nature of aircraft accident causal factors and FAASTeam emphasis areas.

• Advanced Phase . This phase is designed for those pilots who want to design a program that will take them a step above Basic. It affords the opportunity for a pilot, in concert with his/her instructor, to tailor a portion of the training to fit more specific needs of the individual while maintaining the requirement to demonstrate proficiency.

To obtain the Advanced phase, each pilot must complete or hold the Basic phase as outlined previously.

The Advanced phase requires an additional three flight credits and three knowledge credits using the Commercial PTS for the category and class of aircraft used, or the Private PTS when there is not a Commercial PTS, or

If completion of the Basic phase used the Sport or Recreational PTS, the Private PTS will be used for this phase.

A current listing of course material, subject matter, FAASTeam events, flight requirements, activities, and credit values can be found by going to your "My WINGS" page when you are registered on FAASafety.gov and signed up for the WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program. This list will change periodically, reflecting the dynamic nature of aircraft accident causal factors and FAASTeam emphasis areas.

• Master Phase . This phase is designed to give even more flexibility to a pilot's need for specialized training. While most often this phase will require the use of higher PTS standards it will also allow for the addition of specialized equipment and flight environment training scenarios.

To obtain the Master phase, each pilot must complete or hold the Advanced phase as outlined previously.

The Master phase requires an additional three flight credits and three knowledge credits using the Commercial or ATP PTS for the category and class of aircraft used and the Instrument Rating PTS, if one is available for the category and class of aircraft used. A Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) may not be used at this phase.

A current listing of course material, subject matter, FAASTeam events, activities, flight requirements and credit values can be found by going to your "My WINGS" when you are registered on FAASafety.gov and signed up for the WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program. This list may change periodically, reflecting the dynamic nature of aircraft accident causal factors and FAASTeam emphasis areas.

Who May Participate?
All pilots may participate if they hold a U. S. Pilot Certificate and, if required, a current Airman Medical Certificate.

What's In It For You?
The most significant incentive to participating pilots is the added level of safety and professionalism that is obtained through adoption of a consistent recurrent training program.

Pilots participating in the WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program to at least the Basic Phase need not accomplish the flight review requirements of 14 CFR part 61, if since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, he or she has satisfactorily completed or currently holds the Basic or higher WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program phase in an aircraft (reference 61.56(e)).

Also, several aviation insurance companies provide up to a 10% reduction in annual insurance premiums for participation in recurrent training programs such as WINGs. Important feature of the New WINGs Program: You can give your insurance company short-term (24 hours)access to the faasafety.gov website where they can verify your participation in the WINGs Program. This saves you time and money; no need to fax or mail this verification to the insurance company each year.

How do you get started?
1. Establish an account at www.faasafety.gov. 2. Go to “My WINGS” and create your WINGS profile.

WINGS FLIGHT INSTRUCTION AT ROCHESTER WINGS

Dates and time
Saturday, June 14, 2008, beginning at 9:00 AM

Location
Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), Main Exhibit Area at Rochester WINGs, (specific location to be provided at later date). Specific parking instructions will be provided to Fly-ins planning to participate in the WINGs Flight Instruction.

Aircraft
Participants may bring their own aircraft or rental aircraft are available. Pilots are responsible for obtaining their own rental. Specific parking instructions will be provided to Fly-ins planning to participate in the WINGs Flight Instruction.

Reservations Required
If you are a pilot interested in talking advantage of this great opportunity, first (if you have not already done so) establish an account at www.faasafety.gov. Then send an e-mail to:WINGSFlightInstruction@rochesterwings.org:

• Name
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Please indicate the time you wish to fly.
• If you are bringing an aircraft: Provide aircraft type information , N#, and name of flying club if it is a club aircraft.
• If it is a club aircraft, please tell us if your group requires the CFI to be a club member.
• Please be advised, not all instructors will provide instruction in experimental aircraft.

Flight Instructors

Aviation safety is a cooperative effort of all members of the aviation community. However, one of the most important ingredients in this recipe for safety is the flight instructor. The aviation instructor is the central figure in aviation training and is responsible for all phases of required training.

If you are interested in promoting aviation safety as a volunteer flight instructor at Rochester WINGs, send an e-mail to:WINGSFlightInstruction@rochesterwings.org:

• Name
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Time of Day you are available
• If you are bringing an aircraft to use for instruction: Provide aircraft type information.
• Please include the aircraft class, e.g. single or multiengine, in which you are willing to provide dual instruction.
• Please let us know if you are a member of a flying club (some only allow instruction by CFIs who are club members, so this info is very helpful to us.)
• Please advise if you are willing to provide instruction in experimental aircraft.