The Citation Jet Pilots Owner Pilot Association (CJP) is pleased to have joined with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute, and more than a dozen other owner/pilot groups and trade associations, in supporting the National Pause for General Aviation Safety.
Announced April 1 during the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, FL, the FAA Safety Team-supported initiative seeks to encourage all GA pilots to take fifteen to 60 minutes over the next six months to sharpen their focus on flying safely by reviewing carefully curated safety videos, articles and more at a dedicated website, GAsafe.org.
Although the overall number of aviation accidents in the U.S. has actually trended down from the same period in 2024, several high profile accidents and incidents – nearly all of which have involved GA aircraft – continue to dominate headlines.
AOPA President Darren Pleasance noted improved cockpit technologies, training methods, programs and tools, regulatory frameworks, and industry collaboration have all contributed to the GA fatal accident rate decreasing by 60 percent, from 1.73 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 1994 to 0.68 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2023.
“We envision a day with zero fatal general aviation accidents, and we have come a very long way already,” he added. “We are launching the National Pause for General Aviation Safety now so that we can draw attention to our successes and also refocus our efforts on making general aviation even safer.”
The safety resources offered at GAsafe.org have been divided into 12 categories, with one or more of these relevant to pilots operating in every facet of the industry. Topics include mountain flying, backcountry, seaplanes, instrument flight proficiency, flight instruction, and emergencies, among others. Participants may earn FAA Wings credit.
“CJP is pleased to join in this important effort promoting greater safety awareness across our membership and throughout the entire GA community,” said Rob Balzano, CEO of CJP and the CJP Safety & Education Foundation. “We urge all CJP members to take a step back and review safety procedures and content that apply to the operation of Citation jets and all other aircraft they may fly.”
Other organizations participating in the National Pause for General Aviation Safety include the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Vertical Aviation International (VAI), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA).
Listen to an NBAA “Flight Plan” podcast about the National Pause for General Aviation Safety