Creative Cost Control... During the last year, printing and distribution costs for sending out flyers to announce safety meetings have risen 100%. A lot of that material goes to airmen who don't want it, but receive it because they hold a current medical certificate. To reduce the cost of doing business, the FAA is moving toward a different system - electronic notification.

As a first step, initial notification will change from the familiar 8½ x 11 yellow flyer, to a post card and an email notification. Obviously, to receive an email notification, the FAA Safety Program will need your email address. All individuals interested in receiving notification can register their email address at: http//FAASafety.gov. The SPANS - Safety Program Airman Notification System - allows us to put a lot more information into the hands of the user, and provides links to maps that make finding a seminar location easier. This is important to men because it means we don't have to stop and ask for directions!

Anyone can access FAASafety.gov and perform an event search without having to register, but I believe the future of the program is to utilize it for many other things to help control costs, such as newsletter distribution and even sending Wings certificates. Hey, they're even talking about putting in pay toilets here at the FSDO as a way to cut costs (that's gonna be bad for the shrubs around the building!).

Another change is coming that will affect the aviation community. The numbers of pilots attending a seminar have dwindled somewhat over the years but the costs of sponsoring a meeting haven't. As attendance goes down, the cost per person goes up. Electronic notification will help reduce some of the costs, but it's always a good idea to get as much value out of money spent as possible. To maximize the resources, some local events are being combined.

Each year the GSLFIA - Greater St. Louis Flight Instructor Association, AIAA - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the St. Louis FSDO, team-up to present the Super Safety Seminar. Shortly after that, the GSLFIA puts on their annual Flight Instructor Renewal Clinic. Even though the FIRC is directed toward CFI renewal, many of the topics are relevant to all who fly. The plan is, therefore, to combine both events. The eventual goal is to have an aviation weekend event that will serve many purposes. The 2005 event is scheduled for February 5 & 6, and will be held at St. Louis University.

Saturday will be a daylong event, with programs that are applicable to all pilots. Sunday will be dedicated to specific training for CFI's. Renewing CFI's must attend all presentations on both days. Non-renewing airmen may attend those programs they find of interest. By taking advantage of the facilities at SLU, we can keep the seminars free for attendees, and the cost of renewal at a very competitive minimum for CFI's. When times are tough and money is tight, some creative cost control is necessary to continue to provide quality educational seminars to the aviation community.

Upcoming Events

December 4
Skyline Aeronautics
Spirit of St. Louis Airport
Midair Collision Avoidance
9 A.M. to 12 P.M.

December 11
Southwest Illinois College
Granite City Campus
IFR/VFR/ Refresher and Companion/Maintenance Seminar
9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

January 4
Zeno's Restaurant
1621 Martin Springs Dr
Rolla, MO.
GPS Technology - Beyond GO TO
7 to 9 P.M.

January 6
Wicks Hangar
Shafer Metro East Airport
St. Jacob, IL.
Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft.
7 to 9 P.M.

January 22
Linn State Technical College
Linn, MO 9 A.M. to 12 P.M.
McDonnell-Douglas Green Aviation Building
Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft

February 5 & 6
30th Super Safety Seminar
Flight Instructor Renewal Clinic
8AM to 5PM.
Anheuser-Busch Auditorium
Lower level Cook Hall
St. Louis University.


Register at http//faasafety.gov for E-mail notification of safety seminars in the St. Louis District.

LET'S NOT MEET BY ACCIDENT
FRED P. HARMS
Operations Safety Program Manager
1-800-322-8876 extension 4835
Fred.Harms@faa.gov

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday