Rogue

Anyone do this program? I've been taking the ASF courses on AOPA and started checking out the WINGS deal. Is it just redundant to the training I already recieve? If I understand correctly if you participate you don't have to have currency checks? thanks ya'lll, Jeff.

FlyerJosh

Properly completed, the WINGS program can replace a flight review.

In addition, many aviation insurance companies will offer reductions in premiums for pilots that have completed (and regularly complete) WINGS programs.

My personal take is that they are free. In aviation, there is very little free quality training. Most of the WINGS safety seminars are interesting and useful for GA pilots (and even useful to professional pilots). If nothing else, it's an opportunity to meet other local pilots and get to know your FSDO reps/safety counselors.

greenaf7

How do you find out when and where these programs are?

Rogue

I got a postcard in the mail for one but didn't pay it any mind at the time. I then relearned about it while studying ASF courses on AOPA - I would try looking here - https://www.faasafety.gov/WINGS/pppinfo/

thanks Josh, I sometimes suffer from information overload because I was studying all weekend so it helps to get another's perspective on things and yes free is definetly good.

ILS37R

Both Rogue and Josh's information is correct. If you are WINGS current, it counts for your Biennial Flight Review. I hadn't heard that the FAA and insurance companies had yet worked out discount rates for those that maintain the WINGS Basic level, but I know it was a priority.

While I believe it's a good (if still working out the kinks) program--I'm currently at the third and highest level of the new iteration of WINGS--it's especially well-suited for the type of pilots who don't necessarily come to this message board.

The point of the WINGS, what with its 12-month sunset on credits, is to encourage pilots to maintain their proficiency by doing small blocks of training throughout the year, rather than doing a BFR, having their skills degrade for two years and doing it again.

The free seminars are generally pretty good. As Josh said, it can be a great networking tool and it's a good way to get to know your local FSDO staff. The seminars can also be quite informative. If you're a CFI and your FSDO offers it, make some time for the periodic CFI Enhanced Safety Seminar.

Photon

what do you do with those wings you get in the mail if you complete basic advanced etc, hang them on top of your flight wings or something?

ILS37R

Use them as makeshift throwing stars when I get ramp checked...

mswmsw

The FAA is pretty "big" on the Wings Program. Before the whole program went "computerized" I used to get the Wings sign-off cards every time I went through a FlightSafety Recurrent Training Class; then take that card down to the local FSDO; then I'd get the next level Wings Certificate in the mail, along with the little lapel wings. I always thought it was a sorta goofy program, wasn't a participant, until I happened to be at an aircraft accident scene one time about 8 years ago....... the FAA guys was giving the (uninjured) pilot a hard time, very adversarial verbal encounter, until he asked the guy who crashed if he particiapted in the Wings Program. When this guy answered "Yes", the FAA person's entire demeanor changed from adversarial to something more akin to "ok buddy, we'll help you get through this." I was amazed, and started participating at the end of my next FSI Recurrent. Unfortunately, the FAA recently computerized the whole thing "om-line", and made it virtually undecipherable to us old guys that barely manage e-mail and prefer round dials to vertical tapes. So I think I am - unfortunately - done with the Wings Program.

Photon

the online part of it is pretty easy actually, they even have a nice tutorial for it there.
Just register at faasafety.gov and they have this entire section for it, works great too =)
Waiting for my "advanced" pin in the mail now