--by James Williams, FAA Safety Briefing
Let’s be honest. We really overuse the words strategic and tactical. We do this to a point where almost any action or plan is labeled either strategic or tactical. But the military community from which we adopted these concepts moved to a less binary view a long time ago. As systems get more complex, they tend to require at least one intermediary. In the military world, this is called the operational level. It fits neatly in between the strategic and tactical levels. In general terms, a battle is tactical, a campaign is operational, and a war is strategic. To use one example: the Battle of Gettysburg (tactical) was part of the Gettysburg Campaign (operational) which is part of the U.S. Civil War (strategic). Each of those levels is effectively interlocked but has different objectives, resource requirements, leadership needs, and visibilities.
This framework maps quite nicely onto the pantheon of groups that make up the GA community. This space can be a great place to find an organization that might just be a good fit for your personal twist on the aviation community kaleidoscope.
A Matter of Scale or Scope
Strategic and tactical level groups tend to be easier to sort out. Groups like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fit neatly into the strategic level. They have large and varied memberships and tend to focus mainly on large-scale issues. Organizations like type clubs are obvious examples of the tactical level. While they can have a relatively large membership, their scope is fairly narrow and involves usually one type of aircraft.
There is always some flexibility in the classification of groups depending on what characteristics you are evaluating. But what about those organizations that are neither fish nor fowl? That’s where the operational level becomes useful. In this article, we’ll look at some defining concepts and categories that might help aviators find a group that could be helpful. The goal isn’t to find the one right group for you, but to find every group that could be helpful.
Operational Mode
Defining these organizations can be difficult because they don’t tend to fit as neatly into one concept. But here’s one way — mode — by which I mean a commonality of aircraft by some factor broader than type. They may be manufacturer-specific or even specialize in a series of similar types. While obviously not as specific, these clubs offer a broader membership, and in some cases, more resources, but still have substantial commonality in many cases. A good example might be tips for maintaining single engine Cessna retractable gear. A broader base of experience might help in avoiding any mechanical issues.
These modal organizations also focus on the specific areas that can apply across models and manufacturers but share a common theme. These could include aircraft categories or classes like rotorcraft or seaplanes. For example, a Cessna on floats might share copious technical data with its land-based sibling, but the seaplane’s pilot would share more operational experience with another seaplane than the other Cessna.
Operational Mission
These organizations focus on a purpose. This might be back-country flying, or flight instruction, or some other worthy cause. They put the focus on how you are using your skills, aviation or otherwise. They also focus on improvement in those areas that can make you a better aviator or AMT.
Cessna Pilots Association
The Cessna Pilots Association is a group that obviously focuses on Cessna aircraft, especially piston single and twin-engine variants. It offers a host of technical resources from a magazine to educational courses, to a staff of technical experts. The technical resources can be helpful for both pilots and mechanics. The broader base of a larger organization means greater resources than an individual type club.
Helicopter Association International
Helicopter Association International (HAI) is a group that supports the helicopter community across the world. HAI dates back to the late 1940s, less than a decade after the first successful helicopter flights. HAI works with operators and pilots to improve safety and support the rotorcraft industry in general. HAI also advocates for the community on Capitol Hill and works with the FAA on many technical working groups. HAI has some strategic elements but has a narrower scope than larger organizations.
Seaplane Pilots Association
Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) primarily focuses on promoting safe seaplane operations. But they also work to protect seaplane access to waterways and work at the local, state, and national level for the interests of seaplane pilots and operators. This group also provides educational outreach to the public and policymakers.
Recreational Aviation Foundation
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) is dedicated to preserving existing airstrips and creating new public use airstrips throughout the United States with an emphasis on backcountry access. The RAF works with government agencies to ensure access to these lands for aviation use. They also have an emphasis on pilot education including a code of conduct to ensure proper stewardship of these public lands.
Alaska Airmen Association
The Alaska Airmen Association represents the interests of general aviation (GA) in Alaska. It is composed of airmen, mechanics, airline employees, and aviation enthusiasts from Alaska and around the world. The association advocates for the aviation community of Alaska with government agencies. This group is especially concerned with issues regarding airspace, closure of airstrips, and weather, among other areas. It also holds safety meetings, seminars, fly-ins, banquets, and special events.
National Association of Flight Instructors
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) is, as the name suggests, a group that aims to raise and maintain the professional standards of flight instructors. NAFI focuses on providing information and tools to flight instructors that can help them be better instructors and develop professionally. They also work with the FAA on policy and regulations that affect instructors and instruction, like the recent transition to the Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
Society of Aviation and Flight Educators
The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) is similar to NAFI in its emphasis on instruction. SAFE focuses heavily on providing resources to instructors to improve the profession. SAFE also works with the FAA to provide feedback and advice on policy and regulations.
Women in Aviation International
Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a group dedicated to encouraging and advancing women across aviation around the world. WAI conducts outreach programs and provides resources to girls and young women interested in aviation. They hold an annual conference in addition to meet-ups at aviation events and recently launched their Girls in Aviation Day program for girls ages 8 to 17 (This year’s date is October 13, 2018).
National Intercollegiate Flying Association
The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) is the governing body for college aviation related competition. It holds regional and national competitions between aviation universities and colleges — think of it as the NCAA of collegiate flying. The events comprise flying and ground competitions in skills like precision landings, air navigation, flight planning, preflight inspection, flight computer use, Crew Resource Management (CRM), simulator flying, and more. NIFA gives students in two- and four-year schools the chance to meet and compete against aviators locally and, if your team qualifies, nationally.
Balloon Federation of America
The Balloon Federation of America (BFA) is an association dedicated to the advancement of the sport and science of lighter than air flight in both hot air and gas balloons. BFA is open to anyone with an interest in lighter than air flight. They offer seminars, education, a calendar of events and much more.
Soaring Society of America
The Soaring Society of America (SSA) is charged with fostering and promoting all phases of soaring, nationally and internationally. Soaring is flying without the aid of an engine. Soaring places emphasis on aircraft control and energy management. SSA is an organization that works with the public and government to advocate for this group of airmen.
Light Aircraft Manufacturer Association
The Light Aircraft Manufacturer Association (LAMA) represents manufacturers who are engaged in the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) industry to the public, government agencies, and other entities. They also participate in voluntary consensus standards, quality assurance audits, and other technical services.
Creating Your Own Kaleidoscope Community
These are only a few examples of organizations that might be a fit for you; it is by no means an exhaustive list. Nor does every organization apply to every person. If you have one that doesn’t appear here, let us know on Twitter @FAASafetyBrief. In the quest for the most vibrant kaleidoscope view, it’s not about any single piece inside. Rather, it’s the entire collection of parts and how it fits together. These operational organizations might be just the thing that can make your aviation life the most vibrant it can be.
James Williams is FAA Safety Briefing’s associate editor and photo editor. He is also a pilot and ground instructor.