1313thth Annual Seaplane Annual Seaplane Safety SeminarSafety Seminar

Betty MeyerBetty Meyer

1313thth Annual Seaplane Annual Seaplane Safety SeminarSafety Seminar

Betty MeyerBetty Meyer

Seaplane Safety Seaplane Safety CultureCulture

Seaplane Safety Seaplane Safety CultureCulture

Is Education and Is Education and Training Enough…Training Enough…Is Education and Is Education and

Training Enough…Training Enough…

FAA SEAWINGS Safety FAA SEAWINGS Safety ProgramProgram

FAA SEAWINGS Safety FAA SEAWINGS Safety ProgramProgram

Inaugurated June 1996

Ware Island Alabama

Inaugurated June 1996

Ware Island Alabama

Seaplane Accident DataSeaplane Accident DataSeaplane Accident DataSeaplane Accident Data

• Difficult to Quantify RelationshipDifficult to Quantify Relationship

• Raw DataRaw Data

• Actual Numbers and Operations Actual Numbers and Operations are Estimatedare Estimated

• ““Hard to reach a Known from Hard to reach a Known from and Unknown”and Unknown”

• Difficult to Quantify RelationshipDifficult to Quantify Relationship

• Raw DataRaw Data

• Actual Numbers and Operations Actual Numbers and Operations are Estimatedare Estimated

• ““Hard to reach a Known from Hard to reach a Known from and Unknown”and Unknown”

TOTALTOTAL FATAFATALL

19961996 6565 1919

19971997 6262 2121

19981998 5353 88

19991999 7474 1717

20002000 4747 33

20012001 4848 33

20022002 5353 1010

20032003 3939 88

20042004 4242 66

20052005 1010 00

SUMSUM 493493 9595

Float and Amphibious Accidents

Float and Amphibious Accidents

landing gear on the aircraft was classified as either floats or amphibious (raw data)

landing gear on the aircraft was classified as either floats or amphibious (raw data)

AOPA Air Safety Foundation 2007

Does Training = SafetyDoes Training = SafetyDoes Training = SafetyDoes Training = Safety

“…“…Greater Prudence is Greater Prudence is needed rather than greater needed rather than greater

skill” –skill” –

Wilber Wright 1901Wilber Wright 1901

“…“…Greater Prudence is Greater Prudence is needed rather than greater needed rather than greater

skill” –skill” –

Wilber Wright 1901Wilber Wright 1901

Our Safety Record is the Our Safety Record is the greatest testimony to greatest testimony to

protect our water accessprotect our water access

Our Safety Record is the Our Safety Record is the greatest testimony to greatest testimony to

protect our water accessprotect our water access

Legislative Response Legislative Response Can Be SwiftCan Be Swift

Legislative Response Legislative Response Can Be SwiftCan Be Swift

Alabama Boating License Alabama Boating License LawLaw

Alabama Boating License Alabama Boating License LawLaw

• 1994 Alabama passed a law that 1994 Alabama passed a law that required licensing of over half a million required licensing of over half a million boaters under the age of 40 into boaters under the age of 40 into compliance by 1999. Over 560,000 compliance by 1999. Over 560,000 boaters have been registered with boaters have been registered with 30,000 added each year.30,000 added each year.

• It was the first in the nation to do soIt was the first in the nation to do so

• Boating Groups had no chance to Boating Groups had no chance to respondrespond

• 1994 Alabama passed a law that 1994 Alabama passed a law that required licensing of over half a million required licensing of over half a million boaters under the age of 40 into boaters under the age of 40 into compliance by 1999. Over 560,000 compliance by 1999. Over 560,000 boaters have been registered with boaters have been registered with 30,000 added each year.30,000 added each year.

• It was the first in the nation to do soIt was the first in the nation to do so

• Boating Groups had no chance to Boating Groups had no chance to respondrespond

Results of the Boating Results of the Boating LawLawResults of the Boating Results of the Boating LawLaw

• 95% of the Boaters took the test95% of the Boaters took the test

• Accidents rate dropped 41%Accidents rate dropped 41%

• Other states following exampleOther states following example

• May lead to Federal requirementsMay lead to Federal requirements

• 95% of the Boaters took the test95% of the Boaters took the test

• Accidents rate dropped 41%Accidents rate dropped 41%

• Other states following exampleOther states following example

• May lead to Federal requirementsMay lead to Federal requirements

Fish River - Senate Bill Fish River - Senate Bill 3939 Fish River - Senate Bill Fish River - Senate Bill 3939

• Proposed legislation to prohibit Proposed legislation to prohibit seaplanes on four south Alabama seaplanes on four south Alabama RiversRivers

• Empower Dept of Conservation Empower Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources authority and Natural Resources authority over movement of seaplanes in over movement of seaplanes in these areasthese areas

• Proposed legislation to prohibit Proposed legislation to prohibit seaplanes on four south Alabama seaplanes on four south Alabama RiversRivers

• Empower Dept of Conservation Empower Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources authority and Natural Resources authority over movement of seaplanes in over movement of seaplanes in these areasthese areas

SB39 Senate Public SB39 Senate Public HearingHearing

SB39 Senate Public SB39 Senate Public HearingHearing

• SPA President spoke to Senate SPA President spoke to Senate CommitteeCommittee

• Phone calls and letters to Phone calls and letters to LegislatorsLegislators

• Members attended the HearingMembers attended the Hearing

• SPA President spoke to Senate SPA President spoke to Senate CommitteeCommittee

• Phone calls and letters to Phone calls and letters to LegislatorsLegislators

• Members attended the HearingMembers attended the Hearing

A Seaplane Safety Record A Seaplane Safety Record SaveSave

A Seaplane Safety Record A Seaplane Safety Record SaveSave

• No recorded Seaplane accident on these No recorded Seaplane accident on these rivers recorded in 23 yearsrivers recorded in 23 years

• Legislation was perceived as “Safety”Legislation was perceived as “Safety”

• Questionable authority over Federal watersQuestionable authority over Federal waters

• Reactionary from a local disputeReactionary from a local dispute

• No recorded Seaplane accident on these No recorded Seaplane accident on these rivers recorded in 23 yearsrivers recorded in 23 years

• Legislation was perceived as “Safety”Legislation was perceived as “Safety”

• Questionable authority over Federal watersQuestionable authority over Federal waters

• Reactionary from a local disputeReactionary from a local dispute

Remember the Battle of Remember the Battle of Pork Chop Hill?Pork Chop Hill?

Remember the Battle of Remember the Battle of Pork Chop Hill?Pork Chop Hill?

• Soldiers Fought a Bloody Battle Soldiers Fought a Bloody Battle to Gain Control Over Certain to Gain Control Over Certain Territory and Ultimately Won Territory and Ultimately Won VictoryVictory

• Meanwhile Officials Decided Meanwhile Officials Decided Otherwise and Gave the Otherwise and Gave the Territory BackTerritory Back

• Soldiers Fought a Bloody Battle Soldiers Fought a Bloody Battle to Gain Control Over Certain to Gain Control Over Certain Territory and Ultimately Won Territory and Ultimately Won VictoryVictory

• Meanwhile Officials Decided Meanwhile Officials Decided Otherwise and Gave the Otherwise and Gave the Territory BackTerritory Back

A LESSON LEARNEDA LESSON LEARNEDA LESSON LEARNEDA LESSON LEARNED

• One Stroke of the Legislative Pen One Stroke of the Legislative Pen can change the landscape in spite can change the landscape in spite of the untold sacrifice of many to of the untold sacrifice of many to achieve a goalachieve a goal

• Emotion Laced Campaign Tactics Emotion Laced Campaign Tactics WorkWork

• One Stroke of the Legislative Pen One Stroke of the Legislative Pen can change the landscape in spite can change the landscape in spite of the untold sacrifice of many to of the untold sacrifice of many to achieve a goalachieve a goal

• Emotion Laced Campaign Tactics Emotion Laced Campaign Tactics WorkWork

AS A SEAPLANE PILOTAS A SEAPLANE PILOT

YOU ARE A CERTIFIED YOU ARE A CERTIFIEDMEMBER MEMBER

OF A SAFETY CULTURE OF A SAFETY CULTURE

AS A SEAPLANE PILOTAS A SEAPLANE PILOT

YOU ARE A CERTIFIED YOU ARE A CERTIFIEDMEMBER MEMBER

OF A SAFETY CULTURE OF A SAFETY CULTURE

Seaplane Flying Seaplane Flying AdvocateAdvocateSeaplane Flying Seaplane Flying AdvocateAdvocate

• Know your local elected officialsKnow your local elected officials

• Know your legislators and districtKnow your legislators and district

• Develop a positive relationshipDevelop a positive relationship

• Know your local elected officialsKnow your local elected officials

• Know your legislators and districtKnow your legislators and district

• Develop a positive relationshipDevelop a positive relationship

Be InformedBe Informed Use Resources Use Resources

Be InformedBe Informed Use Resources Use Resources

Know Who Has Know Who Has JurisdictionJurisdiction

Know Who Has Know Who Has JurisdictionJurisdiction

• FAAFAA

• US Army Corps of EngineersUS Army Corps of Engineers

• US Coast GuardUS Coast Guard

• US Forest ServiceUS Forest Service

• National Park ServiceNational Park Service

• Tennessee Valley AuthorityTennessee Valley Authority

• States- Local- RPAStates- Local- RPA

• FAAFAA

• US Army Corps of EngineersUS Army Corps of Engineers

• US Coast GuardUS Coast Guard

• US Forest ServiceUS Forest Service

• National Park ServiceNational Park Service

• Tennessee Valley AuthorityTennessee Valley Authority

• States- Local- RPAStates- Local- RPA

A Wealth of ResourcesA Wealth of ResourcesA Wealth of ResourcesA Wealth of Resources

• FAA – ACsFAA – ACs

• Seaplane Pilots AssociationSeaplane Pilots Association

• Training and TechniqueTraining and Technique

• ReferenceReference

• BiographiesBiographies

• SeaplanesSeaplanes

• Pilot’s Model Code of ConductPilot’s Model Code of Conduct

• FAA – ACsFAA – ACs

• Seaplane Pilots AssociationSeaplane Pilots Association

• Training and TechniqueTraining and Technique

• ReferenceReference

• BiographiesBiographies

• SeaplanesSeaplanes

• Pilot’s Model Code of ConductPilot’s Model Code of Conduct

Seaplane Pilot’s Code of Seaplane Pilot’s Code of ConductConduct

Seaplane Pilot’s Code of Seaplane Pilot’s Code of ConductConduct

• Improve AirmanshipImprove Airmanship

• Flight SafetyFlight Safety

• Sustain and Improve Seaplane Sustain and Improve Seaplane CommunityCommunity

• Improve AirmanshipImprove Airmanship

• Flight SafetyFlight Safety

• Sustain and Improve Seaplane Sustain and Improve Seaplane CommunityCommunity

How Public Views How Public Views SeaplanesSeaplanes

How Public Views How Public Views SeaplanesSeaplanes

PUBLIC VIEW of SEAPLANESPUBLIC VIEW of SEAPLANESPUBLIC VIEW of SEAPLANESPUBLIC VIEW of SEAPLANES

NOISYNOISY

HAZARDOUSHAZARDOUS

HARMFUL TO ENVIRONMENTHARMFUL TO ENVIRONMENT

SHOULD BE REGULATEDSHOULD BE REGULATED

NOISYNOISY

HAZARDOUSHAZARDOUS

HARMFUL TO ENVIRONMENTHARMFUL TO ENVIRONMENT

SHOULD BE REGULATEDSHOULD BE REGULATED

How Pilots View How Pilots View SeaplanesSeaplanes

How Pilots View How Pilots View SeaplanesSeaplanes

PILOT PERCEPTION of PILOT PERCEPTION of SEAPLANESSEAPLANESPILOT PERCEPTION of PILOT PERCEPTION of SEAPLANESSEAPLANES

FUNFUN

SAFESAFE

SKILLFULSKILLFUL

CHALLENGINGCHALLENGING

FUNFUN

SAFESAFE

SKILLFULSKILLFUL

CHALLENGINGCHALLENGING

What We Would Like the What We Would Like the Public to SeePublic to See

What We Would Like the What We Would Like the Public to SeePublic to See

What the Public Often What the Public Often SeesSeesWhat the Public Often What the Public Often SeesSees

If We Don’t Promote If We Don’t Promote Ourselves Then Who Will?Ourselves Then Who Will?

If We Don’t Promote If We Don’t Promote Ourselves Then Who Will?Ourselves Then Who Will?

Seaplanes Assist in Seaplanes Assist in Disaster ReliefDisaster Relief

Seaplanes Assist in Seaplanes Assist in Disaster ReliefDisaster Relief

Commercial Seaplane Commercial Seaplane OpsOps

Commercial Seaplane Commercial Seaplane OpsOps

Public Relations Role ModelPublic Relations Role ModelPublic Relations Role ModelPublic Relations Role Model

• Seaplanes Support Community Seaplanes Support Community ActivitiesActivities

• Publish Your Good Deeds –Take it Publish Your Good Deeds –Take it PublicPublic

• Be a Photo OpBe a Photo Op

• Endear Seaplanes to Your Endear Seaplanes to Your CommunityCommunity

• Make a Place in the NeighborhoodMake a Place in the Neighborhood

• Seaplanes Support Community Seaplanes Support Community ActivitiesActivities

• Publish Your Good Deeds –Take it Publish Your Good Deeds –Take it PublicPublic

• Be a Photo OpBe a Photo Op

• Endear Seaplanes to Your Endear Seaplanes to Your CommunityCommunity

• Make a Place in the NeighborhoodMake a Place in the Neighborhood

Aerial Tours for OfficialsAerial Tours for OfficialsAerial Tours for OfficialsAerial Tours for Officials

Involve Local MerchantsInvolve Local Merchants

Include Neighbors in Include Neighbors in EventsEventsInclude Neighbors in Include Neighbors in EventsEvents

Show Them Your Point of Show Them Your Point of ViewViewShow Them Your Point of Show Them Your Point of ViewView

Way Too Much Fun!Way Too Much Fun!Way Too Much Fun!Way Too Much Fun!

From Historical From Historical TransportationTransportationFrom Historical From Historical TransportationTransportation

To An Evolving FutureTo An Evolving FutureTo An Evolving FutureTo An Evolving Future

Ware Island, AlabamaWare Island, Alabama