Diamond jubilee
ASI celebrates 75 years of helping make general aviation safer
On November 10, 1950, the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) began life as the AOPA Foundation. Since then, the organization has gone through several incarnations, but its mission has remained the same: to help pilots make better decisions and to bring down the general aviation accident rate.
In the past 75 years, ASI has made a name for itself as a leading source of aviation safety information and analysis. The accident rate has, indeed, declined markedly, to just 0.77 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2022, the most recent full year for which statistics are available, from 4 in 1950. Pilots are better educated and have many more resources from which to learn and benefit, making general aviation much safer as a result.
“ASI is a jewel in AOPA’s crown,” said AOPA President Darren Pleasance. “Since 1950, ASI has grown to become the largest provider of free general aviation safety content in the world. Its data analysis and research has contributed to GA becoming safer. We have come a long way already but there is still so much work to do.”
About three quarters of all general aviation mishaps are a result of pilot error. In 2022, in the United States, some 330 people died in about 200 fatal accidents.
Together, the members of the ASI team have thousands of flight hours and an abundance of aviation experience ranging from single-engine piston through high-performance military jet and airline operations.
“I’m proud of the ASI team for continuing to produce high-quality content from which pilots can learn,” Pleasance said. “Aviation is currently under a microscope, and ASI has a long tradition and legacy of offering pilots opportunities to improve their knowledge and sharpen their skills. And we pledge to continue with this important work for at least another 75 years.”
Take a look at ASI safety content, including its signature video series, “Accident Case Study,” “Real Pilot Story,” and “Early Analysis” in addition to numerous other resources on ASI’s YouTube channel.
A message from ASI staff /
We share a deep passion for aviation safety. As compassionate pilots, we bring together safety research, analysis, and knowledge in creative ways to share aviation safety education with you. From award-winning online courses to in-person seminars, flight instructor renewal courses, accident analysis, and much more, the products are created with the goal of helping all pilots fly more safely and bringing the GA fatal accident rate down to zero. If you find this information valuable, please consider a donation to support our work.
aopa.org/asi
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