On Wednesday night, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s free safety seminar “Top Five Mistakes Pilots Make” was presented here in Springfield. Though I’ve been a pilot for 7 years and a member of AOPA for over 5 years, this was only the second AOPA seminar that I’ve been to. I learned last night, however that Springfield plays host to two seminars a year: one in the spring and one in the fall. Wednesday night’s event had great attendance, and I saw a wide range of pilots. With regards to the seminar itself, I was so impressed that I will make sure to not miss one again.

Here’s how AOPA bills the seminar that I attended on Wednesday:

It’s sad but true: In an average year, three quarters of all accidents are caused by pilot error. And the mistakes that lead to those accidents? For the most part, they’re the same ones pilots have been making for decades.

ASF’s latest seminar takes new aim at those old mistakes. We’ve identified the most common fatal errors pilots make and put together a show that’s full of practical tips for avoiding them. From steering clear of weather to maneuvering safely and much more, if you’re looking to minimize your chances of being involved in a fatal accident, you’ll definitely want to attend this seminar!

This seminar was excellent. The presenter (who’s name I’m sorry to say escapes me) did a great job, mixing humor at times with some downright stark realties at other times. As a CFI, I found the seminar useful in that it gave me a few ideas for teaching subjects more effectively. Two of my students attended the seminar and they both found it very informative.

Remember, as a pilot, even if you have thousands of hours, you should always be learning! So I highly recommend attending one of these seminars if they come to a town near you. Check the schedule to see if a seminar is scheduled for your hometown.