 FAA data shows a steady decrease in U.S. accident rates for general aviation in recent years. But the data may not show an accurate story.
Todd Curtis and John Goglia take a deeper dive into the data. Comparing the FAA rates to a NTSB table listing accidents in general aviation shows that the NTSB data implies that general aviation aircraft crashed roughly 50 times more frequently than airlines and other air carrier flights. Pilots should check out the website for the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC), an organization that partners with the FAA and other aviation organizations to provide useful safety information. This organization provides information about key aviation safety risks and offers many additional resources. Pilots and others involved in aviation should to take advantage of this and other aviation educational resources.
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 Choose Aerospace and the SkillPointe Foundation have launched a new $50,000 scholarship program to support students pursuing FAA aviation maintenance certification.
The Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship provides $2,500 tuition awards, along with tools, textbooks, training materials, and certification exam vouchers. The program is funded by industry partners and designed to strengthen the aviation maintenance workforce pipeline. Applications are open to individuals planning to enroll or currently enrolled in aviation maintenance programs. Download the informational flyer here. Apply by March 1, 2026 at www.chooseaerospace.org/scholarship.  JS Firm is proud to announce its sponsorship of a new scholarship through the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), furthering its commitment to supporting the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals. The JSFirm.com Aviation Mechanic Student Award will provide one $1,500 scholarship to an eligible student pursuing a career in aviation maintenance.
Applications for PAMA’s 2026 scholarship season are now open, with a deadline of March 2, 2026. The scholarship is open to individuals who are legal U.S. residents, current PAMA members, and either recent graduates (within six months) or currently enrolled in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 147 school. Relatives of PAMA directors are not eligible. Applicants must submit a completed application that includes a current or most recent transcript, two letters of recommendation from an employer, educator, or mentor, and a minimum 250-word essay outlining their career ambitions in aviation maintenance. Awards are granted based on available funds and applicant qualifications. In addition to the JS Firm award, PAMA also offers other scholarships, including the Jack D. Prewitt Memorial Scholarship provided by PistonPower, Inc., which awards two $1,000 scholarships annually. Students interested in applying or learning more about PAMA scholarships can visit PAMA’s website for full details. Those interested in supporting the scholarship program may contact PAMA at [email protected]  A just-issued NTSB advisory warns operators of several Hawker jet models of a dangerous stall tendency not adequately explained in the aircraft’s documentation. Todd Curtis and John Goglia share important background and details.
The advisory was issued based on findings from two fatal Hawker jet crashes, one in 2024 and the other in 2025. Both occurred during post-maintenance flights to test the stall warning system. Interesting – the NTSB also noted that it could not find any experience, training, or qualification criteria for pilots tasked to perform a stall test flight or any additional plan or procedures for performing a stall test flight. The advisory applies to 664 recent Hawker jet models and says about 450 older models may have a similar issue. The advisory includes seven recommendations to address the issue. It also states that the manufacturer’s instructions for required post-maintenance test flights were deficient. John shares his experience with issues that arise when aircraft return to flight after major maintenance, including pilots who don’t take the time to do extensive preflight preparation. In fact, some operators restrict who can fly post-maintenance missions. The NTSB advisory states that in three accidents investigated the effects the crew experienced when the aircraft entered a stall were much more severe than the aircraft’s documentation indicated.  Hi everyone,
Every year, this tournament reminds me how much good can come from a single day on the golf course and how many lives it touches because of the people who choose to support it. I’m excited to share that we’re officially kicking off the 15th Annual South Texas PAMA Golf Classic, returning on April 14, 2026, along with the launch of our 2026 sponsorship campaign. Click here to view Sponsorships Before getting into details, I want to say thank you. This event exists because of our sponsors , many of whom have stood with us year after year. What you make possible, goes far beyond a fun day and golf. Your support directly impacts students, families, and aviation maintenance professionals across South Texas, and that impact is real. We’re proud to share that SWAT has committed to return as our Title Sponsor for the third consecutive year. Their continued belief in this event and in the mission of South Texas PAMA means a great deal to us. ⛳ 15th Annual South Texas PAMA Golf Classic – Brought to you by SWAT 📅 April 14, 2026 📍 Wildcat Golf Club 12000 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77045 👉 Sponsorships are now open The Golf Classic is our largest fundraiser each year and a cornerstone of how we support A&P workforce development, scholarships, and industry outreach. In 2025, sponsor support allowed us to invest directly in the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals, and in 2026, we’re planning to take that impact even further. One thing we’re especially excited about this year: we’ll be awarding cost-of-living scholarships live during the lunch reception following the tournament, allowing sponsors and attendees to see firsthand the lives being impacted. If you’d like to talk through sponsorship options or have any questions, I’m always happy to connect directly. Thank you for continuing to support South Texas PAMA and the professionals — and future professionals — who keep aviation moving safely every day. Chad Tew President | South Texas PAMA Website: southtexaspama.com Phone: 832-840-6673 Email: [email protected] PAMA, in coordination with its generous industry partners, has made available award opportunities for current and future aviation maintenance professionals. Awards are provided to current or recent aviation maintenance students and may be used toward the purchase of tools, tuition or other education-related expenses.
Eligibility requirements are as follows unless otherwise indicated in specific award descriptions, below:
Scholarship applications must include:
The number of awards available is dependent on funds received. For more information on supporting the maintenance professional awards and scholarships, email [email protected] or contact PAMA scholarship chair Ron Zilberbrand. Please note: relatives of PAMA directors are not eligible for scholarship awards. The awards are provided to current or recent aviation maintenance students. Monetary Awards may be used towards the purchase of tools, tuition or other education-related expenses Jack D. Prewitt Memorial Scholarship, provided by PistonPower, Inc. Two $1,000 awards.  In a December livestream event Todd Curtis and John Goglia tackled listener questions. Listen as they take a deeper dive into some of aviation safety’s most important topics:
Listen and get updated on these topics and more. Want to experience Flight Safety Detectives live? Become a channel member today. Join our Membership program for exclusive perks like live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety. Want to support our mission to enhance aviation safety? Become a sponsor. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to [email protected].  General Aviation Awards (GAA) announce the final deadline for nominations. Nominations and applications must be submitted by midnight Friday, January 16, 2026. The program, a cooperative effort between industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), recognizes individuals for their professionalism and dedication to general aviation (GA). GAA encourages flight schools, aviation organizations, universities, FSDOs, and other entities to nominate fellow aviators or submit applications on their behalf. All nominees for the 2026 awards will be publicly recognized for their vital contributions to their community's growth, health, and safety. We Are Seeking Nominations for the Nation's Best:
The selection process begins following the January 16th deadline at the Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO), where Honorees are chosen at the district level. These winners then proceed to the national level, where a panel of judges composed of industry professionals and past Honorees selects the final Honorees. In addition to national recognition, winners present a live broadcast offering their knowledge and expertise, are awarded a trip to AirVenture, a commemorative plaque, and numerous gifts from industry sponsors. GAA is a not-for-profit corporation run exclusively by volunteers and relies on sponsorships and donations to provide these honors.   A veteran crisis-communications expert and author of “Transport Management: Successes and Failures” (2026) joins the show. Linda Tavlin draws on more than 35 years of experience to discuss how transportation organizations—especially airlines—should communicate during major accidents and crises.
Linda and John Goglia reflect on their long professional history, including work on major aviation disasters. They illustrate how poor communication during crises often worsens outcomes, while good communication can significantly reduce long-term damage. Linda shares a story about two airlines she helped train. After both had major accidents, one airline followed her approach to communicating about the accident and the other did not. The outcomes were very different. Linda’s approach to crisis communication includes advice on who should communicate to the different groups who deal with an accident investigation. John also discusses the communication strategy in the investigation of the 1996 fatal ValuJet crash. John, Linda and Todd Curtis also discuss the investigation of the 2013 Asiana crash in San Francisco, where a television station broadcast information about the pilots in the airliner that was both false and offensive. Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm
FREE EVENT TO ALL ATTENDEES Attendee & Sponsorship Registration now Open on DVBAA Web site, link below: 23rd Annual PAMA DVBAA Maintenance Symposium & IA Renewal Registration Visit https://dvbaa.org/event-6410659 Location: Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club 507 Thompson Station Rd Newark, Delaware 19711 Event Includes: 8 Hours of IA Approved Training Food and drink included. 2026 Sponsor & Vendor Registration NOW OPEN! Contact: Thomas Smith President First State Chapter - PAMA 302-256-8695 |
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