local issues

Presented to:

By:

Date:

Federal AviationAdministrationLocal Issues

1st Annual Aviation Safety Summit

Safety Summit Audience

Tyrone Gilliard, Manager, STL FSDO

May 10th, 2011

Federal AviationAdministration 2

Local Issues

•Airports & Airspace•Training & Proficiency

•Community Involvement

Local Issues - 2011 Aviation Safety Summit


Airports & Airspace

“Home Base Syndrome”“Towered/Non-Towered Bias”

“Bravoitis”

3Local Issues - 2011 Aviation Safety Summit



Home Base Syndrome

“Diversity of experience far outweighs convenience or efficiency.”




Home Base Syndrome• Overreliance on local landmarks• Degrades proficiency at unfamiliar

airports.• Decrease in safety/increase in incidents

& accidents• Promotes bias against other airports.



Home Base Syndrome• 4 class D, 1 class B and numerous non-

towered airports within 50NM• KSTL, 1H0, KSET, KSUS, KCPS, KALN,

H49 (Sackman), 3K6 (Shafer), KBLV, M71, KFYG (Washington), KFES, H07 (Highland), K39 (St. Clair), 3LF (Litchfield).



Home Base Syndrome• More realism—

– an enroute phase/mini IFR cross country flight...file the trip!

• More diverse landing experience.

• Experience more traffic situations

• “Getting the best product takes time & money.”



Home Base Syndrome• DPEs: Choose airports other than the

normal routine to add realism

• Avoids pre-canned checkride.

• Tests applicant’s ability to deal with unfamiliar airports.



Tower/Non-Tower Bias“I only fly out of towered

airports. Uncontrolled fields are dangerous!”

“I never go to towered airports. I’m more

comfortable at uncontrolled fields like the one where I

learned to fly.”



• Degrades safety & proficiency during potential Emergencies/Diversions

• This bias comes from socialized behavior.

• We influence our students and promote these attitudes.


Tower/Non-Tower Bias


Advice from the Tower:• Be good at the basics.• Get ATIS before you call…• Listen!• Don't be sloppy with phraseology.• Detailed taxi instructions. If you read it back

incorrectly, they need to correct you.


Tower/Non-Tower Bias


Bravo-itis“The Blue Circles of Death”



Bravo-itis“VFR pilots shouldn’t go in the Bravo…they

don’t want us bothering them”



Bravo-itisAdvice from the TRACON

• Fly in the Bravo Airspace! Use Flight Following.

• They have everything you need, just ask.• Consider the runways in use at KSTL.• Be patient and use the W’s • Transitions are safer for everyone…



Airports and Airspace

What’s in it for me?



Training & Proficiency

“One of the greatest ironies of flight training is that we train locally, but we fly far and fast…”

“You’re only local if you live here.”



Training & Proficiency• Get training and experience from local

experts.• Get weather advice from local

pilots/instructors• Study unfamiliar airspace & charts.• Fly and train at local airports AT NIGHT!



Training & Proficiency




Community Involvement

“Involvement in local aviation groups and activities increases safety and promotes a safety-conscious community with a safety-

compliant attitude.”




• AOPA/FAASTeam Seminars & Workshops• WINGS Proficiency Programs

• GSLFIA, GSLBAA, MPA, Women With Wings, Etc.



Community Involvement• Foster a good relationship between CFI’s,

DPE’s, Students & FAA.• CFI-CFI peer groups & mentoring.

• Flight Schools: hosting events show their involvement in the greater community and

showcase what they have to offer…



Local Issues

Thanks for coming and fly safely…we’re all in this together!


local issues

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