EAA/FAASummitRaisesDialogueonGATopics

Strong participation by a wide range of FAA departments bolstered the discussions at the annual EAA/FAA Recreational Winter Summit, held March 2-3 in a virtual setting between FAA officials from throughout the country and the EAA headquarters staff, led by CEO/Chairman Jack Pelton. The summit was held virtually again this year because of ongoing COVID-related travel restrictions for federal employees.

“It was an excellent dialogue that highlighted the importance of this annual gathering,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety.

“While we always prefer an in-person gathering and aim to return to that in 2023, even in a virtual format this meeting emphasizes EAA’s philosophy of finding cooperative solutions and keeping important issues on track.”

Among the highlights of the twoday session were: • Participation by FAA’s flight standards and aircraft certification offices on a full spectrum of topics, from current safety trends and enhancements to flighttraining exemptions and processes to help maintain legacy aircraft

• Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup on the latest from the FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine, including special issuances and the upcoming “Pilot Minute” video series regarding aviation medical topics • A well-received safety discussion led by EAA member Terry Lutz • Expanding the Additional Pilot Program for use in qualifying homebuilt aircraft types • Focused areas of discussion on vintage aircraft, warbirds, and aerobatic flying issues • Updates on aviation fuels and the MOSAIC initiative

The FAA representatives were also positive about EAA’s new Pilot Proficiency Center that is an expansion of the EAA Aviation Center and its uses during AirVenture.

“The Winter Summit is an excellent checkpoint with the FAA to ensure progress and accountability on topics that matter to EAA members,” Elliott said. “It also sets an action plan for when we meet again at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this coming summer.”

EAA/FAA Summit raising dialogue on a range of GA topics. (Courtesy EAA)

be willing to network and find your local and regional groups. You should start meeting with other professionals, be active on LinkedIn, and really start developing a network to provide you with mentors and assistance as you come into the industry. I have met many young students and professionals who have found their way to an NBAA student membership and to their local and regional networking group. It’s hard for them to do it, but it does pay off. You just have to be more resourceful.

IF USA: What kinds of jobs have you helped people land?

JS: I want to make clear that I am not working as a recruiter. I am simply a coach who can guide clients to an aviation career that they have in mind. I have helped many Part 91 operators find talent for their teams. We’re talking about pilots, mechanics, and schedulers and dispatchers. I have also assisted with some of the leadership roles that we worked on.

IF USA: What would you say is your strongest skill in aviation?

JS: I would say customer service is really where I cut my teeth. I enjoy providing one-on-one service with people, and I value confidentiality. As we all know, confidentiality in this industry means a great deal. I cut my teeth on both of those things at the FBO, and I pride myself on those things today.

IF USA: How would you say we are doing in the area of diversity? Have we opened the doors to more women and people of color?

JS: I would say we have made great strides in doing that. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done. I recognize, having worked for corporate HR departments that have tried hard to create more diversity, but I also realize that we can’t just snap our fingers and create a qualified candidate. It’s going to take some time to really show results.

IF USA: What age group of students or career changers do you work with the most?

JS: Here in Florida, I am uniquely positioned. We have a wealth of aviation universities and high schools. My son is actually a junior at one of the aviation high schools. He is in their aviation ROTC program. He already has his drone license, and those students will finish their four years with their ground school completed. There are a lot of programs like that here in Florida. Embry-Riddle is close by, and I have worked with many of their students over the years. The University of Central Florida is right up the street. They are not an aviation school, but they have very industrious students who go out of their way to find someone locally within the industry that they have an interest in. That has been very rewarding. The ones that really have that passion and drive are the most fun to work with.

IF USA: Is the coaching done virtually or in person?

JS: The coaching is done largely over Zoom. I offer free 15-minute consultations for those who just want to get to know me. I welcome the opportunity to meet people in person. I live in a busy part of Florida. I don’t think Zoom has replaced in-person meeting; it has just widened the scope. I can consult people from anywhere via Zoom, but I love doing in-person sessions.

IF USA: Whom in aviation do you admire the most?

JS: Wow! You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that question. I think I would have to say my parents. My dad was born into the industry and got his pilot’s license right after he got his driver’s license. It was in his blood. My mom got into it… well, because she married my dad. Together, they grew a tremendously successful business with a far reach and a great reputation. As their daughter, I can’t think of anything better.

IF USA: How important is social media presence in getting hired?

JS: That’s a great question, and it has been even more important since the pandemic. To me, social media is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram… not so much LinkedIn. I know it gets lumped into social media, but for me, LinkedIn is your personal brand and image that you want to portray to the industry. With so much remote work during the pandemic, I think your LinkedIn profile has become more important than ever. That is how many people are finding jobs, getting hired, and how they’re learning to connect as people. Not having a LinkedIn will be a red flag. Recruiters probably won’t look at your other social media as much, but you want to make sure it’s clean. Politics have become a big issue everywhere. Some things just need to be carefully reviewed before you put yourself in job-search mode.

IF USA: Thank you!

For information and consulting rates, visit www.showalter.com. Show alter looks forward to working with existing and aspiring aviation industry professionals. She knows the language, the lingo, and how things work, so visit the website today!

Dreams will take flight for young people between the ages of 8 and 17 during the 29th annual International Young Eagles Day on Saturday, June 11. Each year EAA sets aside one day to encourage all EAA members and chapters to participate in the Young Eagles program and share their passion for aviation with a new generation.

This year’s celebration means just a bit more, as we continue to return to prepandemic life. EAA is aiming to return to 2019’s flight level, and International Young Eagles Day is a great excuse to participate in the program.

To help volunteers gear up, EAA is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. CDT, dedicated to planning for International Young Eagles Day. This webinar will cover all the best practices and resources available to make this year’s Young Eagles Day a success.

Whether you fly Young Eagles as part of a chapter-sponsored flight rally, on your own as an individual member, or you volunteer, we urge all EAA members to make sure that young people in their areas have the opportunity to discover flying on June 11, 2022. Learn more at eaa.org.

Young Eagles Day is Saturday, June 11. (Courtesy EAA)

“Be Bold” is the theme and focus of WomenVenture activities as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 celebrates the 15th year of programming that encourages and supports women in aviation. The 69th edition of EAA’s fly-in convention is July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. New this year is a dedicated EAA WomenVenture Center that is open to the public throughout the week. The center, located in Aviation Gateway Park, will feature exhibitors and networking events to support women in aviation as well as other resources for women currently in aviation fields or seeking to be a part of them. “In 2022 we are bringing back many of the activities that are most popular with attendees, from the group photo on Boeing Plaza to the power lunch and evening programs on Wednesday, July 27,” said Margaret Brill of the EAA Aviation Foundation, who is coordinating WomenVenture activities. “As we celebrate 15 years of this program, the heart of it remains the same: encouraging women to find their place in the aviation world and be bold with their ideas, dreams, and talents.”

On July 27, EAA WomenVenture activities include: • Group photo on Boeing Plaza for all

WomenVenture Celebrates 15 years at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022.

(Courtesy EAA)

women in the aviation community. • The annual Power Lunch at Theater in the Woods, with keynote speaker Eileen Collins. Collins was the first woman to pilot and later command a NASA space shuttle mission. • Evening programs at Theater in the Woods that features “Unusual Attitudes,” a discussion by women in aerobatic flying and how it has elevated their flying skills. Guests for that panel, moderated by Steph Stricklen, include Vanessa Christie, Patty Wagstaff, Julie Clark, Susan Bell, Debbie Rihn-Harvey, Melanie Astles, Vicky Benzing, and Jessy Panzer.

All WomenVenture participants are also eligible to receive the Women Venture 15th anniversary T-shirt, designed by pilot Christy Holy. Those Tshirts can be pre-ordered for pickup at AirVenture by registering at EAA.org/ WomenVenture, the location for all information regarding the 2022 Women Venture activities.

EAA WomenVenture is presented by The Boeing Company, with support from United Airlines, U.S. Air Force, Endeavor Air, Ford Motor Company, General Aviation Manufacturers Assoc iation, Women in Aviation International, and The Ninety-Nines.

Learn more at eaa.org.

• IFR Check ride - Can you recite the required reports specified in AIM 5-3-3? You must use them on the check ride. • PVT/Comm Check rides - Short field landing problems: Feel confident in picking landing spots that are not the same that you have practice on. Do not rely on VASI guidance. Practice spot landings at different places on the same runway. • IFR Checkride - An airplane with a high-tech EFIS does not require the vacuum pump to provide any information to the EFIS. The vacuum pump is for standby gyros. You had better know which gyro or gyros I’m talking about. Understand your systems! • All Check rides - Understand your airplane systems! Be able to explain what you’re doing when you check the magnetos. We all know the magneto RPM drop has specific limits, but what if the RPM doesn’t drop at all when you make the magneto check? Know your electrical system and any emergency backup systems. Why do some planes have a “split” master/alternator switch? What could happen if the fuel vent is blocked? Very important on Commercial and CFI check rides. • IFR Check ride - A new phone system for receiving IFR clearances and closing IFR flight plans at class G airports started in July of 2019. It is no longer handled by Flight Service. This will show up on oral questioning. Know how to find the phone information in the Airport Supplement. • IFR Check ride - When can you descend from your last assigned altitude when cleared for an instrument approach? The answer comes from a deadly lesson. • IFR Check ride – Hundreds of airports in Class G airspace now have instrument approaches. Know what to do when Center clears you for the approach 10 or 20 miles from the airport with no altitude or heading instructions. When may you leave your last assigned altitude?

So, there you have it, tips from a guy who is on the front line of FAA testing. Share these tips with your CFI, remembering that they are not based upon a single DPE’s opinion, but reflect the knowledge, risk and skill elements clearly defined in the Airman Certification Standard. You may wish to load www.goldenageaviation.com into your favorites, as they are being updated often.

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