Aviators Model Code of Conduct
Encyclopedia
The Aviators Model Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct) is a set of model recommended practices designed to improve general aviation
safety and airmanship
that was created by Michael S. Baum.
: the syllabuses mandated for flight licensure
are heavily regulation- and task-oriented. The primary focus is on regulation compliance and flight maneuvers and only secondarily on practical airmanship. As a result, the decision-making skills of new pilots often get them into trouble. Though pilot experience appears to correlate with safer outcomes, it is not clear if more flying leads to better in-air decision-making: according to the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's 2007 Nall Report about 60% of all fatalities involve a high-time (1000+ flight hour) pilot in command. Further, the likelihood that a personal flying accident is fatal is the same for newer and high-time pilots.
The Aviators Model Code of Conduct was written as a response to this perceived gap between license requirements and practical airmanship. In 2003, Michael S. Baum put together the first version as a one-page summary of “lessons learned”. Today, the Code of Conduct is a comprehensive set of detailed recommendations for aviator decision-making in the air and on the ground.
effort is run by a volunteer group of industry, aviation and subject matter experts.
Members of the board are:
For each aspect, the Code of Conduct covers governing principles (“minimize the discharge of fuel, oil, and other chemicals into the environment”) and lays out specific practical recommendation (“use a Gasoline Analysis Test Separator (GATS) jar or other environmentally sound device/procedure for all fuel sampling”). Where applicable, sourced commentary is used to substantiate principles and recommendations.
Recognizing the need for early socialization, recommendations for integrating the Code of Conduct into flight training (including sample lesson plans) are collected in Notes For Instructors.
The Code of Conduct is intended to be specialized by aircraft operation and to evolve over time and place. Versions are available for:
Foreign-language translations incorporate national and regionally-specific practices and regulations.
Notes for Prospective Implementers provides guidelines and resources for individuals and organizations adopting the Code of Conduct.
includes various versions of the Code of Conduct as online resources.
Other users of the Code of Conduct include major aircraft type club
s, insurers, manufacturers, and other general aviation players, including:
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
safety and airmanship
Airmanship
Airmanship is skill and knowledge applied to aerial navigation, similar to seamanship in maritime navigation. Airmanship covers a broad range of desirable behaviors and abilities in an aviator...
that was created by Michael S. Baum.
Overview
AOPA Air Safety Foundation has calculated that 75% of all general aviation accidents are attributed to improper pilot decision-making. The problem originates with initial flight trainingFlight training
Flight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills....
: the syllabuses mandated for flight licensure
Licensure
Licensure refers to the granting of a license, which gives a "permission to practice." Such licenses are usually issued in order to regulate some activity that is deemed to be dangerous or a threat to the person or the public or which involves a high level of specialized skill...
are heavily regulation- and task-oriented. The primary focus is on regulation compliance and flight maneuvers and only secondarily on practical airmanship. As a result, the decision-making skills of new pilots often get them into trouble. Though pilot experience appears to correlate with safer outcomes, it is not clear if more flying leads to better in-air decision-making: according to the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's 2007 Nall Report about 60% of all fatalities involve a high-time (1000+ flight hour) pilot in command. Further, the likelihood that a personal flying accident is fatal is the same for newer and high-time pilots.
The Aviators Model Code of Conduct was written as a response to this perceived gap between license requirements and practical airmanship. In 2003, Michael S. Baum put together the first version as a one-page summary of “lessons learned”. Today, the Code of Conduct is a comprehensive set of detailed recommendations for aviator decision-making in the air and on the ground.
Permanent Editorial Board
This non-profitNon-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
effort is run by a volunteer group of industry, aviation and subject matter experts.
Members of the board are:
- Michael S. Baum, JD, MBA, Principal, SecureAv
- Dale DeRemer, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Aviation, University of North DakotaUniversity of North DakotaThe University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
- Jim Lauerman, President, Avemco Insurance Company
- Michael Radomsky President Emeritus, Cirrus Owners and Pilots AssociationCirrus Owners and Pilots AssociationThe Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association is a not-for-profit aircraft type club for owners and pilots of certified aircraft manufactured by Cirrus Design.In October 2008 the association had 2800 members worldwide....
- Bill Rhodes, Ph.D. Professor, Lt. Col USAF (Ret.) Aerworthy Consulting
- Rusty Sachs, JD, Former Executive Director, National Association of Flight InstructorsNational Association of Flight InstructorsThe National Association of Flight Instructors is a United States professional organisation for flight instructors. Founded in 1967, NAFI is dedicated exclusively to "raising and maintaining the professional standing of the flight instructor in the aviation community". In 1995 it became an...
- Josh Smith General Manager, West Valley Flying Club
- Don Steinman, Captain, US AirwaysUS AirwaysUS Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
- Thomas P. Turner, MCFI Manager, Technical Services, American Bonanza Society
Structure
The Code of Conduct covers all aspects of operating in the general aviation environment, including:- General Responsibilities of Aviators
- Passengers and People on the Surface
- Training and Proficiency
- Security
- Environmental Issues
- Use of Technology
- Advancement and Promotion of General Aviation
For each aspect, the Code of Conduct covers governing principles (“minimize the discharge of fuel, oil, and other chemicals into the environment”) and lays out specific practical recommendation (“use a Gasoline Analysis Test Separator (GATS) jar or other environmentally sound device/procedure for all fuel sampling”). Where applicable, sourced commentary is used to substantiate principles and recommendations.
Recognizing the need for early socialization, recommendations for integrating the Code of Conduct into flight training (including sample lesson plans) are collected in Notes For Instructors.
The Code of Conduct is intended to be specialized by aircraft operation and to evolve over time and place. Versions are available for:
- glidersGlider aircraftGlider aircraft are heavier-than-air craft that are supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against their lifting surfaces, and whose free flight does not depend on an engine. Mostly these types of aircraft are intended for routine operation without engines, though engine failure can...
, - light-sport aircraftLight-sport AircraftA Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
- seaplaneSeaplaneA seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
s - student pilots
- mechanicsAircraft Maintenance TechnicianAircraft maintenance technician, as used in the United States, refers to an individual who holds a mechanic certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration; the rules for certification, and for certificate-holders, are detailed in Subpart D of Part 65 of the Federal Aviation Regulations ,...
- flight instructorFlight instructorA flight instructor is a person who teaches others to fly aircraft. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator in pursuit...
s
Foreign-language translations incorporate national and regionally-specific practices and regulations.
Notes for Prospective Implementers provides guidelines and resources for individuals and organizations adopting the Code of Conduct.
Adoption
In the United States, the Federal Aviation AdministrationFederal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
includes various versions of the Code of Conduct as online resources.
Other users of the Code of Conduct include major aircraft type club
Aircraft type club
Aircraft type clubs are organizations that provide information and support to a single aircraft type or a group of aircraft types from the same manufacturer or family of aircraft....
s, insurers, manufacturers, and other general aviation players, including:
- Avemco insurance
- Cessna Owner Organization
- Cirrus Owners and Pilots AssociationCirrus Owners and Pilots AssociationThe Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association is a not-for-profit aircraft type club for owners and pilots of certified aircraft manufactured by Cirrus Design.In October 2008 the association had 2800 members worldwide....
(See COPA Code of Conduct.) - Flight Design
- Gleim
- Mooney Airplane,
- National Association of Flight Instructors
- Piper Owners Society
