Pilot Protection Services Podcast

Being human means making mistakes - even for pilots. Let’s see how real experts try to figure out when errors will happen and see how predictions of the future will further help us become safer pilots. Articles referenced: https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2020/january/01/new-years-predictions-part-one https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2020/february/01/new-years-predictions-part-2 Read Ken Stahl’s article contributions to Pilot Protection Services here: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/articles-by-author/kenneth-stahl

In order to understand our own error patterns, we have to acknowledge our tendencies, and that is the first step to develop safer attitudes and behaviors.  A big part of safe flying and decision making is understanding the difference between our decisions, based on knowledge stored during ground school and flight training, and the judgment and wisdom to make the right choice from those knowledge options.  We welcome back Dr. Ken Stahl to continue our discussion on how understanding our brains in and out of the cockpit can help each of us become better pilots.   Articles referenced: Fingerprints – Part One: https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2019/november/01/fingerprints---part-one Fingerprints – Part Two: https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2019/december/01/fingerprints-part-2 Read Ken Stahl’s article contributions to Pilot Protection Services here: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/articles-by-author/kenneth-stahl

Today we're talking all things cardiac - the heartbeat of the aviator. One of the most frequent topic of calls into the Pilot Information Center's medical team is cardiovascular health because as we all know, it's hard to fly without a heart.    Gary Crump Gary is the Director of AOPA’s Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section and has spent the last 32 years assisting AOPA members. He is also a former Operating Room Technician, Professional Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, and has been a pilot since 1973. Dr. Jonathan Sackier Dr. Jonathan Sackier is an expert in aviation medical concerns and helps members with their needs through the AOPA Pilot Protection Services plan.

Dr. Jonathan Sackier and Gary Crump return with the next episode of the Pilot Protection Services podcast, tackling the topic of ageism in aviation. With humans living and staying healthier for longer, pilots are comfortably taking advantage of the ability to fly under the new BasicMed rules - and that's a great thing for GA.   Gary Crump Gary is the Director of AOPA’s Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section and has spent the last 32 years assisting AOPA members. He is also a former Operating Room Technician, Professional Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, and has been a pilot since 1973. Dr. Jonathan Sackier Dr. Jonathan Sackier is an expert in aviation medical concerns and helps members with their needs through the AOPA Pilot Protection Services plan.

Pilots tend to fear their medicals simply because they value their ability to fly so intensely - and rightfully so.  Much can be done prior to the medical to alleviate this fear and smooth the process for the AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) as well as the pilot.  Join Gary Crump and Dr. Brent Blue, a Senior FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) out of Wyoming, for this discussion and updates on the question of “the Medical.” If you have had a medical problem since your last medical (or before your first medical), it is important to know what you need to bring with you and what tests the FAA might require.  This may be difficult to navigate on your own.  Your AME can help as, can AOPA’s Pilot Protection Services.     Show Notes:  Dr. Brent Blue is a Senior FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and deals with Special Issuance Medicals as well as routine First, Second, and Third Class FAA medicals. He is an Airline Transport rated Pilot with over 9,000 hours of flight time.  He is a FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and serves as the safety physician for the airshow at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh Wisconsin each year.  He was the team physician for the US Unlimited Aerobatic Team at the World Competition in Hungary and is a frequent lecturer on oxygen and carbon monoxide issues in aviation.  Through his company, Aeromedix.com, he introduced pulse oximetry and digital carbon monoxide detection to general aviation in 1995. You can read more on his website at: https://emergacare.com/   See Brent’s 2018 article here: https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2018/december/07/how-to-help-your-ame

This week, we catch up with panel attorney Rick Durden on a topic we often hear about after natural disasters - flying to help others, and - importantly - how to do it legally.    Show Notes:  Rick Durden: Mr. Durden has been practicing aviation law for more than 40 years and is a panel attorney for AOPA's Legal Services Plan. He holds an ATP with type ratings in the DC-3 and Cessna Citation. The AOPA Legal Services plan is offered as part of AOPA’s Pilot Protection Services.   Rick’s website: http://www.rickdurden.com   Link to Rick’s article https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/july/pilot/ownership-flying-to-help-others   ACA http://www.aircarealliance.org/   AOPA Volunteer Pilots home page and public benefit flying course: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/safety-advisors-and-safety-briefs/volunteer-pilots https://www.aopa.org/lms/courses/public-benefit-flying/#01-intro&01-volunteerism   FAR 61.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=14:2.0.1.1.2.5.1.8&rgn=div8   FAA’s Kirwin interpretation https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/practice_areas/regulations/interpretations/Data/interps/2005/Kirwan%20-%20(2005)%20Legal%20Interpretation.pdf   FAA’s Bunce interpretation https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/practice_areas/regulations/interpretations/Data/interps/2008/Bunce-GAMA%20-%20(2008)%20Legal%20Interpretation.pdf

Dr. Jonathan Sackier and Gary Crump are back for the fourth Fly Well episode of the Pilot Protection Services podcast, this one inspired by a song many of you may remember - but don't worry, there's no singing involved.    Gary Crump Gary is the Director of AOPA’s Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section and has spent the last 32 years assisting AOPA members. He is also a former Operating Room Technician, Professional Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, and has been a pilot since 1973. Dr. Jonathan Sackier Dr. Jonathan Sackier is an expert in aviation medical concerns and helps members with their needs through the AOPA Pilot Protection Services plan.

Dr. Jonathan Sackier and Gary Crump are back for the third Fly Well episode of the Pilot Protection Services podcast. Ear, nose, and throat issues can arise in pressured situations – which can be an issue for aviators, and can be difficult from an aeromedical standpoint. Listen to learn more about what can be done when vertigo and other concerns rear their ugly head.   Gary Crump Gary is the Director of AOPA’s Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section and has spent the last 32 years assisting AOPA members. He is also a former Operating Room Technician, Professional Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, and has been a pilot since 1973. Dr. Jonathan Sackier Dr. Jonathan Sackier is an expert in aviation medical concerns and helps members with their needs through the AOPA Pilot Protection Services plan.

This week, we bring you the story of Doug Downey, retired USAF Lt Col and Academy grad who flew as a fighter pilot in the F-16 Viper and the F-117 Nighthawk. Doug survived a near disaster in the F-117 that could have ended in a horrific crash in White Sands National Park. With his engines flamed out, it was time for plan B – but there was no plan B.   The story of Doug’s amazing recovery from this catastrophic event and aviation safety lessons that we can learn from it are featured in Dr. Ken Stahls’ articles on aopa.org/pps/stahl, and the retelling is absolutely riveting.    You can find more of Doug’s work on the Convergent Performance LLC web site at https://convergentperformance.com, and Dr. Stahl’s articles on the AOPA e-magazine at this site.       Doug’s Bio info:   Doug Downey LtCol USAF (ret) is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and served over 24 years as a college instructor, Combat Logistician, Commander, and as a Fighter Pilot qualified in the F-16 Viper and F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter.   He served as an instructor pilot, functional check pilot, and air show demonstration pilot. He is a career Safety Officer qualified in Crew Resource Management, Safety Management Systems, Root Cause Analysis and accident investigations with experience as an Investigator, Analyst, Chief of Safety, and Aircraft Mishap Board President. He also served as a as an Advance Agent for Air Force One and President G.W. Bush for five years, and later as a Diplomat to Pakistan. In Pakistan he directly consulted the Government on the redesign of F-16 tactical operations, national airspace use, and safety program management and enterprise risk management for the entire Pakistani Air Force.   Doug joined the Convergent Performance team in 2014, and brought with him a breadth of experience in leadership, training, risk mitigation, safety management systems, and process improvement. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In addition to instructing cadets how to fly T-52s (Diamond) and T-53s (Cirrus), he was the Deputy Director of Cadet Training & Education responsible for all curriculum development and strategic planning of assessment and tactical training of over 4,000 cadets.   Doug is recognized as an industry expert in Risk Management, Safety Management Systems, Safety Program Management, and Aviation Accident and Mishap Investigations. He is a successful author of industry research studies and periodical columns. He also is certified by the International Society of Safety Professionals (ISSP) as a Registered Safety Professional. Doug can be reached at ddowney@convergentpeformance.com.

It’s one of the most common questions that AOPA Legal Services Plan (LSP) attorneys get from members after a mishap… “what’s the difference between an aircraft accident and an incident? And what, if anything, do I need to report to the FAA and/or NTSB?” One of the most frequent searches on our website is "Accident vs. Incident" Attorney Edward Hadley, who wrote a 2016 article on this same topic, is with us to discuss in detail both types of situations - and what to do in case of one. For this podcast, Edward joins us to explain why the difference between an accident and incident is important for pilots to know, including what the NTSB defines as substantial damage and when filing a NASA report is appropriate.   If you're involved in either of these situations, Pilot Protection Services is your first call, and can help guide you in the right direction.    Show Notes:  Ed's 2016 article: https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2016/may/04/did-i-just-have-an-accident-or-an-incident Ray Carver’s article on 709 rides: https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2018/november/01/709-rides Link to the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System: http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/ Link to FAA Advisory Circular on NASA reports: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1019713 49 CFR Part 830: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=07330b75302a9ae917a4b42c5f947842&mc=true&node=pt49.7.830&rgn=div5  

Dr. Jonathan Sackier and Gary Crump are back for the second Fly Well episode of the Pilot Protection Services podcast. We catch up with Jonathan on the road to discuss something very prevalent in our society today: mental illness and suicide. These taboo topics are difficult but necessary to address - especially for pilots.     Gary Crump Gary is the Director of AOPA’s Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section and has spent the last 32 years assisting AOPA members. He is also a former Operating Room Technician, Professional Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, and has been a pilot since 1973. Dr. Jonathan Sackier Dr. Jonathan Sackier is an expert in aviation medical concerns and helps members with their needs through the AOPA Pilot Protection Services plan.

The first Fly Well episode of the Pilot Protection Services podcast, hosted by Dr. Jonathan Sackier and featuring AOPA's Director of Medical Certification, Gary Crump, brings to light a few medical issues that can plague pilots, but are rarely talked about.  Gary Crump Gary is the Director of AOPA’s Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section and has spent the last 32 years assisting AOPA members. He is also a former Operating Room Technician, Professional Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, and has been a pilot since 1973. Dr. Jonathan Sackier Dr. Jonathan Sackier is an expert in aviation medical concerns and helps members with their needs through the AOPA Pilot Protection Services plan.

The first episode of the Pilot Protection Services podcast, hosted by Chad Mayer, starts off with a recap of some recent UAS regulatory updates, including the new requirement that went into effect on February 23rd to display the FAA registration number on the outside of a drone. Then Ms. McConoughey will guide us through her recent article from SC Lawyer Magazine which explores possible legal issues in a hypothetical drone shoot down from the perspective of both the drone operator and landowner who pulled the trigger.   Chad Mayer – Staff Attorney, AOPA Mr. Mayer is licensed to practice law in Florida and the District of Columbia and is also an instrument-rated commercial pilot, a Remote Pilot with sUAS rating, and an Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor, who will be serving as PPS Podcast moderator. Rachel McConoughey – South Carolina Panel Attorney, AOPA Ms. McConoughey is a Panel Attorney for AOPA’s Legal Services Plan who is licensed to practice law in both North and South Carolina. Her law firm focuses on drone law and real estate litigation.  She is also the chair of the South Carolina Bar Association’s Drone Task Force. Kathleen “Kat” Swain – Senior Director, UAS Programs, AOPA Ms. Swain is a commercial pilot, a Remote Pilot with sUAS rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) and Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI). Prior to joining AOPA in 2016, Ms. Swain was the Vice-President for a technology startup providing commercial drone services.   FAA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/13/2019-00732/operation-of-small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-over-people Follow Rachel on Twitter: @dronelaw_SC