A recent study in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine shows Alaska has made great progress in aviation safety in the last twenty years. Interventions developed by the Alaska Inter Agency Aviation Initiative are available to all pilots in Alaska and continue to make a difference for aviators across the state.

Weather cameras give up to date conditions on mountain passes and remote air strips. Talking to flight service while in the air can provide much needed information and pilots giving regular reports whenever possible is helpful even when conditions are favorable.

Another opportunity for pilots unique to Alaska is the Medallion Foundation. They offer a number of flight simulators around the state. The simulators are available to use for free by any Alaskan 16 years of age or over that holds at least a student pilots license.

Mary O'Connor is part of the Aviation Safety Program for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Alaska and one of the authors of the study. She credits Medallion in helping pilots stay sharp."It's a great opportunity for pilots to test themselves and go out and see exactly what 800 foot ceilings and two miles of visibility looks like in Merrill pass while they don't have to actually have to fly that"

Passengers can take advantage of the "Circle of Safety" a program, designed by the FAA to educate passengers and organizations that contract for aviation services. People can learn about their shared rights and responsibilities regarding aviation safety.

Take off and landings are a critical time for pilots so unless it is an emergency let the pilot focus. Make sure you know where the emergency locator transmitter is and how to activate it. Where is the fire extinguisher? Do You know where the survival gear is stowed in case of an unplanned landing?

If you have a loved one or friend that is a pilot one thing you can do for them is file a flight plan, something pilots can some times be reluctant to do. Perhaps they don't want their favorite fishing spot to become known.

Have the aviator let you know where they are going when they are expected to return and what procedures to follow if their aircraft is reported overdue. O'Connor points out "It's free and a really cheap piece of insurance." A piece of insurance that might make the difference in a timely rescue if you should ever need it.