News & FAQs & Updates

The beta testing of the upgraded WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Program - and the re-designed FAASafety.gov website is in motion! It is my pleasure to report that response to the beta test invitation was overwhelming. Over 1000 aviators are participating, of which 700+ are Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation (AFASF) representatives.

Many thanks for the outstanding support from our group!

You are now invited to work with the beta releases prepared by Bryan Neville, FAA Safety Team, National Outreach Manager, and to provide feedback as outlined below. This will allow him to gather feedback on the changes, and gives you a preview of the new system. The goal is to complete the beta testing in two to three weeks. Please be aware that there are two mutually exclusive releases and they are not dependent upon each other, so you may participate in the WINGS beta test only, if you wish.

Remember, nothing you complete on the Beta server will be reflected in your live account!

Before starting the Beta test please review the Summary of Changes document by clicking here to view Summary of Changes.

GETTING STARTED:
Please use the Beta Test URL = beta.faasafety.gov (Note that there is no www in this Internet address). You should then be able to use your normal FAASafety.gov login information to proceed. If you have trouble logging in with your normal login, please send Bryan Neville an email message at Airmen@FAASafety.gov. Your account will be reset and a reply email with log in information will be sent to you. If you don’t have an account on FAASafety.gov or cannot remember the log in details, send an email as above and your account will be reset, or a new account will be created for you on the Beta server. Finally, you can Beta test many pages without logging in, so try them as well.

WINGS PROGRAM INFORMATION:
 
1. The new web site should work in all versions of Internet Explorer and Firefox. Please comment if something seems incorrect, and include the name of your Internet browser.
 
2. Please send your comments and questionnaire responses (see #5 below) in an email to: Airmen@FAASafety.gov.

a. If you reference a specific page, please copy and paste the URL from your Internet browser for that page into your email. That will help us find the correct web page.
 
b. Because of the anticipated response, we may not be able to respond to every comment. However, rest assured, every comment will be reviewed and considered.
 
c. Please DO NOT call or email the Customer Support Desk; send all questions to the email address above.

3. Your email address will allow us to clarify any comments you make. It will not be used for any other purpose and will be deleted from the special email box after Beta testing is complete.
 
4. Please provide your name and telephone number only if you wish to discuss your comments or other aspects of the changes.
 
5. Please tell us a little about yourself, by answering the Beta Tester’s Questionnaire below, so that we have an idea of your background. You can cut and paste them into your email or just list the individual letters next to the responses:
 
1)    What is your airman status?
a)    Pilot
b)    Mechanic
c)     Pilot and Mechanic
d)    Flight Instructor
e)    None of the above
 
2)    Are you an active Flight Instructor?
f)      Yes
g)    No
 
3)    Are you participating in the present WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Program on    FAASafety.gov?
h)    Yes
i)      No
 
4)    Did you participate in the previous paper-based Wings Award Program?
j)      Yes, Highest Phase Awarded? Phase = __________
k)    No
 
5)    Are you an appointed FAASTeam Representative?
l)      Yes
m)    No
 
6)    How would you characterize your computer experience?
n)    Novice
o)    General user
p)    Technically proficient
 
RE-DESIGNED FAASafety.gov WEBSITE AND GENERAL INFORMATION:
 
1. You may find it valuable to review the comments located in the WINGS Blog at FAAwings.blogspot.com. You don’t have to promise a lot of time, so whatever you can do is appreciated.

a. We have removed the security login from the Beta server. Anyone with an account can now log on to the Beta test server.
 
b. Note that any emails normally sent during use of the site will not be sent. This includes password changes.

2. As you test, review the text on a page and decide if it meets the requirements of being clear and concise.

a. This is not the live site and any changes, credits, courses taken, Etc. are for testing purposes and will not show up on the live site. Emails will be sent to an offline mailbox, so you won’t see any emails. So feel free to issue credit, request credit, and test all functions. Don’t be afraid, you won’t break it; and if you do, let us know and we will fix it.
 
b. If you find a misspelling or believe the grammar could be improved, please let us know.

3. Another goal is to reduce the amount of text on a page and make it clear what a user needs to do to accomplish his or her objective on that page.
 
a. Confirm that the size of the text is appropriate.
 
b. Look at the placement of the elements on the page for ease of understanding, ease of use, and necessity on that page.
 
4. A further goal is to reduce the number of “clicks” necessary to accomplish a task, so please comment on the new site navigation, as well.

5. While a page may be new to you, after a 2nd or 3rd look at that page, it should be obvious what is available and how to use all elements on that page. Please comment if you think the steps could be simplified.
 
Again, I appreciate your willingness to help with the beta testing.
 
Sincerely,
 
Paul F. Burger
Executive Director
Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation, Inc
Web site: http://www.afasf.org
e-mail: afasf@optonline.net