“Night flying introduces challenges that are reflected in the data,” said Robert Geske, AOPA Air Safety Institute manager of aviation safety analysis. “More than one-quarter of fatal night flying accidents occurred because of spatial disorientation, a condition that can bring about loss of control in flight — the leading cause of all night flying accidents.”
AOPA
Advocates save KGBR
A effort led by local community supporters and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) led to Walter J Koladza Airport (KGBR) in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, earning a “special permit” to continue operating from town officials.
What’s it like to fly a Fire Boss?
In Peak Performance: Flying the Fire Boss, the Air Safety Institute’s Richard McSpadden rides along to see how firefighting pilots safely scoop 800 gallons of water out of a lake in 15 seconds, and then release the roughly 6,600-pound load in less than two seconds to douse fires — and then he tries it and sees how hard it really is.
Video provides early analysis of Florida fatal accident
According to a preliminary NTSB report, the airplane took off over dark water with no discernable horizon, then began a shallow climb and a right turn. “It seems possible that this is a classic spatial disorientation accident due to somatogravic illusion, triggered by accelerating in situations without good visual references,” AOPA officials said.
New video features IFR flight planning tools and tips
The AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new video in its Beyond Proficient: IFR video series that provides tools and tips on IFR flight plan filing for pilots.
GA advocates, safety experts honored at Bob Hoover Trophy reception
Lawmakers, safety experts, general aviation advocates, and one of the industry’s biggest companies were recently honored with awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
GA advocates successfully fight Washington bill that would have banned 100LL
The original bill, WA HB1554, introduced in January 2023, called for the phased-in restriction on the “selling, distributing, or otherwise making available to consumers” leaded avgas in Washington state starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Video provides early analysis of Winter Haven mid-air collision
On March 7, 2023, a Piper Warrior and a Piper J-3 Cub on floats collided over Lake Hartridge, just east of Winter Haven Regional Airport (KGIF) in Winter Haven, Florida. Sadly, all four people on board the airplanes perished in the accident.
AOPA high school initiative wins FAA grant
The AOPA Foundation’s $498,000 grant came from the FAA’s Aircraft Pilots Aviation Workforce Development Grants program, designed to “prepare students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft systems operators, and support the related professional development of teachers.”