Changes coming to Airman Knowledge Testing

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Russ Still at Gold Seal Ground School reports:

“The age-old practice of memorizing FAA knowledge test questions is becoming a really bad idea. This change represents a complete philosophical reset for many test-takers and highlights the FAA’s new doctrine: learn the concepts.

In January, 2020, the FAA announced its new contractual partnership with testing center company, PSI. What it said suggests that major changes are coming to all airman knowledge tests, possibly at the most fundamental levels. Not only are test questions and answers changing, the basic fabric of the multiple choice test may be restructured altogether. We can argue whether the changes are good or bad, but the result is still the same – if the FAA and PSI stick to the plan, rote memorization will become a useless test-prep strategy.”

Click here to read the full article.

FAA Safety Briefing Mar/Apr 2020 Issue

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From the FAA Safety Briefing Team:

“ABOUT THIS ISSUE… The March/April 2020 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on the variety of tools and technology aviators can use to avoid and/or safely mitigate what we’ve dubbed as UMC, or Unfriendly Meteorological Conditions. Feature articles cover some of the FAA’s weather research work and programs, including more effective ways to convey cockpit weather imagery, icing avoidance, and the use of weather cameras. We also sit down with the new FAA Administrator, Steve Dickson, to discuss his take on general aviation safety. “

CFIT/Automation Overreliance

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Automation is a helpful tool, but don’t let it breed complacency and erode your confidence. Avoid over-reliance on automation.

Fly the aircraft first and read the #FlySafe fact sheet below.

Download Fact Sheet

Read More in this FAA Safety Briefing Feature Story:

No matter how capable the avionics and automation appear to be, keep it in its proper place and never vacate the left seat to mere technology.

Read This

#FlySafe Fact Sheet Archive: bit.ly/GAFactSheets

Discontinuation of the Notices to Airmen Publication (NTAP)

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Published in the NTAP Foreword:

“As part of the Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) Modernization effort, the NTAP will be discontinued effective June 18, 2020; the last NTAP will be published on May 21, 2020. Effective June 18, 2020, International Notices will be available at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/internationalnotices/ and Graphic Notices will be available at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/graphicnotices/. Information from the International and Graphic Notices sections of the NTAP will be transferred to these new websites. In addition, links to International Notices and Graphic Notices will be available on the FAA NOTAM Search website (https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/) and on the Air Traffic Plans and Publications website (https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/). More information, including notice submission procedures and submission cut-off dates, will be published on the International Notices website https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/internationalnotices/ and Graphic Notices website https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/graphicnotices/ when available.

Please email 9-ATOR-HQ-PubGrp@faa.gov if you have any questions.”

FAA Safety Briefing Jan/Feb 2020 Issue

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From the FAA Safety Briefing Team:

“ABOUT THIS ISSUE… The January/February 2020 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on how to better “Know Your Aircraft.” Feature articles cover each major section of an aircraft, highlighting the many design, performance and structural variations you’ll likely see and how they affect your flying. We’ll also take a fresh look at understanding aircraft energy management. “