Pilot Proficiency Award Program

The FAA's Pilot Proficiency Award Program (Wings) promotes air safety and encourages general aviation pilots to continue training and provides an opportunity to practice selected maneuvers in a minimum of instruction time. After you've logged three hours of dual instruction under the program and attended at least one FAA-sanctioned safety seminar, you’ll be eligible to receive a distinctive set of wings . You’ll also earn a certificate of completion. If you successfully complete a phase of the Wings Program within the period specified by Section 61.56(e) of the Federal Aviation Regulations, you don’t need to accomplish the flight review for that time period.

As laid out in Advisory Circular 61-91H, the program has twenty phases and offers you a twenty-year recurrent training opportunity. You’ll be eligible for more wings every year after earning your first set, each added set marking your progress.

displayed within the wreath. Phase X wings are bright gold tone with the Roman numeral X and shield located within a ring of 10 stars.

No complimentary wings will be issued. Pilots, regardless of certificate type, ratings, or position, must earn the privilege of wearing the pilot proficiency wings. A pin and certificate will be awarded for Phases I through X. A certificate only will be awarded for Phases XI through XX.

Seaplane pilots who specify “seawings” on the proficiency award application get a distinctive set of seawings.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must:

*Hold an ultralight / recreational pilot certificate or higher
*Hold a current medical certificate if required.
*Log dual flight instruction in specified maneuvers. The time required varies by category: 3 for airplane, 2 for rotorcraft (helicopter or gyrocopter), ultralight, or lighter-than-air, and 3 (or 6 flights) for gliders; one hour of ground training is also usually required.
*Attend at least one FAA-sanctioned safety seminar, or other approved course. This can be done by going to a designated safety meeting or completing one of several approved courses online, such as those offered by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Applying

To apply for the Pilot Proficiency Award Program, send your application to your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

New Wings Program

The original Wings program ended on December 31, 2007, although another month was allowed to process final applications. [ [http://www.faa.gov/safety/awards/wings/ FAA Website describing the changes] ] It was replaced by a new program from the new FAA [http://www.faasafety.gov safety website] . The FAA's new program attempts to provide better standards for pilots getting flight reviews and training, adding the most common causes of accidents into the curriculum and providing set standards for maneuvers, instead of giving a minimum flight time to complete. Currently, the FAA does not plan to provide pins for completion of a level of the new Wings program [ [http://www.faasafety.gov/articulate/wings/default.htm FAA on-line tutorial describing new program] ] , but it mentions in its tutorial that private companies might in the future provide pins to those who qualify. The new website will also keep track of a pilot's recurrent training and will be able to remind the pilot by e-mail if their training is close to expiring, requiring them to get a new flight review or complete another Wings course.On April 11, 2008, aviation insurer Avemco announced that they are sponsoring the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program by supplying all WINGS participants with WINGS lapel pins upon program completion. [ [http://www.avemco.com/Page/NewsRoom-PressReleases-Article17.aspx Avemco press release] ] - AVEMCO® ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR GENERAL AVIATION PROGRAMSFAA WINGS Program, AERI Research and Build A Plane to Benefit]

References

External links

* [http://www.faasafety.gov/ FAA Safety Website]
* [http://www.faasafety.gov/about/AC61-91H.pdf FAA Advisory Circular 61-91H: Pilot Proficiency Award Program (PDF)]