denverpilot
Tied Down
Well, I see the FAA sent out the 2012 Wings program survey so might as well bring it up for discussion here...
(I participated in the old Wings program, but since that's ancient history, this is about the current program.)
Personal experience:
Have earned piles of ground "credits", mostly when bored online but also regularly attend non-repetitive intersting seminars. All information good.
However, all of these expire, before bothering with flight credits. No long term credit over any length of time.
Colorado Pilot's Assn Mountain Flying Course counted as a FR (since you work with an individual instructor on an all day flight after an all day ground session and they determine if FR requirements were met), but not listed in Wings at all. Disconnect there. It certainly made me a better and safer pilot.
Instrument Ground School via Gleim was the only Advanced credit ever gained. Piles of seminars around here, virtually nothing qualifies as Advanced. Every flight club gives Wings seminars almost monthly it seems. No depth. Same seminars at three different clubs. FAA "fireside chat" with local tower controllers was far and away the most useful seminar this year.
Got curious and searched the database. Very little Advanced or Master anything for 500 miles, ever. What's the point if you can't progress?
Haven't looked to see what a new rating will do yet. Don't care much. It's already reset the FR date and I'll need IPCs anyway. Maybe they count for something. Haven't looked.
Do like the recent integration with CAP. Enter CAPID number and suddenly a CAP Form 5 checkride counts for something. As well as other standardized checkrides. Only useful thing I've seen out of the program in years.
CFIs rarely mention it or bring it up anywhere than online forums. Never heard any CFI say, "Let's not forget to enter your Wings credits!" More enthusiasm from CFIs seems in order.
FR is more cost-effective when done with a good instructor. Credits seem weak vs. PTS items covered more effectively in one flight for the FR.
Wings seems little more than a reminder to go take a few AOPA online courses once in a while.
Zero insurance company or other incentives. If Advanced or Master were actually attainable, and it provided a significant discount on insurance or some other tangible ROI, the program would be impressive. As it stands, Insurance Companies prefer the private sector simulator companies over Wings.
Discuss. (For Captain. Ha.)
(I participated in the old Wings program, but since that's ancient history, this is about the current program.)
Personal experience:
Have earned piles of ground "credits", mostly when bored online but also regularly attend non-repetitive intersting seminars. All information good.
However, all of these expire, before bothering with flight credits. No long term credit over any length of time.
Colorado Pilot's Assn Mountain Flying Course counted as a FR (since you work with an individual instructor on an all day flight after an all day ground session and they determine if FR requirements were met), but not listed in Wings at all. Disconnect there. It certainly made me a better and safer pilot.
Instrument Ground School via Gleim was the only Advanced credit ever gained. Piles of seminars around here, virtually nothing qualifies as Advanced. Every flight club gives Wings seminars almost monthly it seems. No depth. Same seminars at three different clubs. FAA "fireside chat" with local tower controllers was far and away the most useful seminar this year.
Got curious and searched the database. Very little Advanced or Master anything for 500 miles, ever. What's the point if you can't progress?
Haven't looked to see what a new rating will do yet. Don't care much. It's already reset the FR date and I'll need IPCs anyway. Maybe they count for something. Haven't looked.
Do like the recent integration with CAP. Enter CAPID number and suddenly a CAP Form 5 checkride counts for something. As well as other standardized checkrides. Only useful thing I've seen out of the program in years.
CFIs rarely mention it or bring it up anywhere than online forums. Never heard any CFI say, "Let's not forget to enter your Wings credits!" More enthusiasm from CFIs seems in order.
FR is more cost-effective when done with a good instructor. Credits seem weak vs. PTS items covered more effectively in one flight for the FR.
Wings seems little more than a reminder to go take a few AOPA online courses once in a while.
Zero insurance company or other incentives. If Advanced or Master were actually attainable, and it provided a significant discount on insurance or some other tangible ROI, the program would be impressive. As it stands, Insurance Companies prefer the private sector simulator companies over Wings.
Discuss. (For Captain. Ha.)