February 2007 - American Bonanza Society

ABS AViATOR PROGRAM :WHAT'S iN iT FOR ME?A list of recognized training withthe points for each program is postedon the ABS website. If you do nothave web access, contact ABS andwe' ll make sure you get a list. If youknow of a program you'd like added tothe list, contact Tom.Our ABS Avia/or program encourages pilots to go beyondthe basic requirements to exercise pilot privileges, so it does/la/ recognize flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks ortrai ning necessary to maintain skills or keep a job-unless thattraining is otherwise recognized.For example, a flight review alone does not qualify forpoints, but if you earned that fli ght review as parr of a recog­I'm proud to say that I'm an ABS AviaTOr and, to date, so arealmost 100 other members. So what? Why should youbother parricipating in this lifelong learning program? Letme explain:ABS AviaTOr is only in its second year, started by the ABSEducation Committee under Chairman Jack Hastings and hisstaff liaison, Manager of Technical Services Tom Thmer. Therewere two main reasons for starring this program. Reason #1: Tohelp you be a better pi lot and be recognized for your effort.Rea;on #2: To keep hammering away at insurance costS.Aviation insurance companiesaren't as open to "negoti ating" aswhen there was competition for ourbusiness. So we have to be more pilof and be recognizedaggresive in convincing OUf insurers for your effort.that we deserve bener rates.Reason # 1: Help you be a betterOne important reason for beingan ABS AviaTOr is that it serves asproof of your efforts to keep andimprove your piloting ability. So, ABShas a much bigger "ulterior moti ve":To build a case for the insuranceindustry to recognize the ABS AviaTOrprogram as a safe-piloting tool, with the goal that if you participate,there will be a rate reduction. Yes, that's a very ambitiousgoal, but worth our whi le.The way we will do this is by tracking accident/incidentrecords so that eventually we have a history of safety amongparricipants to show to the insurance companies. That's goingto take a few years, so I urge everyone to participate in the ABSAviator program (and fly accident free) to build that case.How do you become an ABS Aviatat?You must complete training programs recognized by ABSfor the addi tional safety they provide Beech pilots. Each recognized program has an assigned point value deterntined bythe Education Comminee. The value is based on the amount ofeffort needed to complete the training; whether the programincludes night, si mul ator and/or ground instruction; andthe extent that the training applies directly to flying Beechairplanes.When you earn at least 100 points in one calendar year,you wi ll be named an ABS AviaTOr. Send copies of your completioncertificates to Tom Turner by fax, mail or e-mail to earncredit for the training you've received.Reason #2:keep hammeringaway af insurance costs.nized program like SPPP, you wouldget the points for that program.ABS AviaTOr is all about lifelonglearning, so you can earn a new levelof ABS Aviator for each calendar yearyou complete at least 100 points worthof training. When you earn recognitiona sixth time, you will be designateda lifetime ABS Mas/er AviaTOr.Some of the perks for participatingare a certificate from ABS, a lapelpin, Bonanza Bucks and recognition atthe ASS Convention. (The lapel pin isnew, so existing Aviators will be sent one.) Rewards willincrease as you earn higher levels.ABS Aviator at the conventionWe've always put on an excellent convention, but a lot ofmembers view it more as a social event than an educationalforum. Yes, there are many social aspects, but that's not themost important part. Over the last few years we've workedhard to make it the "prentier educational event" for members.That's not just a promotional slogan; it 's because of the qualityof the seminars, most of which count toward the ABSAviator program.The Convention Committee put together a sentinar''tracks'' system three years ago that allows members to pickfrom various categories, depending on their interest: FlightOperations, Maintenance, Ownership and Product-specific.This helps keep the convention fresh every year and keeps uslearning new things.I hope to have the pleasure of sending you a note ofcongratulations when you join me as an ABS Avia/or! - JonSee page 10045 for the list of new ASS Aviators.ABS February 2007 www.bonanza.org Page 10040