Refinements to the National Airspace System & Procedures
Ongoing improvements in operating systems and procedures continually upgrade the National Airspace System (NAS). These refinements make operations safer and more efficient, while allowing more people and communities to benefit from aviation.
Safety Seminars
All pilots value continued education, and frequently attend free safety seminars conducted at hundreds of locations nationwide every year. Pilots and mechanics learn the latest techniques for improving the safety of flight while receiving continuing education credits for participating. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's new Online Safety Center (http://www.asf.org) offers free online interactive courses and a plethora of research and general aviation (GA) safety information. And the online center is free for everyone.
Service Bulletins, Advisory Circulars, and Airworthiness Directives
Most people who own a car have heard about safety recalls. In aviation, there are times when a particular aircraft or part has required special attention because of problems that have developed in the field.
 When required, manufacturers will issue a service bulletin, or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will issue an advisory circular, or ultimately an airworthiness directive to require the repair or alteration of a problem part or system before it can affect the safety of a specific type of aircraft or the general aviation (GA) fleet. These special notices are sent directly to the owner of every affected aircraft.
Spot Checks & Check Rides
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors will periodically stop by airports to perform unannounced inspections of aircraft, pilots, and other flight crewmembers. In some cases, they can even hop a ride on a flight and conduct an in-flight checkride to make sure that everything the crew does meets current standards.
Specialized Training Programs
 Some aircraft have advanced equipment like jet engines, retractable landing gear, floats, or other special features that require the pilots and flight crew to receive specialized training. Even a piston engine of more than 200 hp requires a special endorsement by an FAA certificated flight instructor. In addition, pilots who fly in certain areas, like the mountains, can receive specialized training to make their flying even safer.
Practices & Standards
 General aviation (GA), while full of personal freedom and variety, is also deeply rooted in a very dense and time-tested set of formal practices and standards. For the most part, these are embodied in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), a set of rules pilots must follow, and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), a compilation of technical explanations and recommended procedures.
Together, these two official government documents comprise more than 1,000 pages of wisdom and formal protocol that everyone in America benefits from, whether they themselves fly, or they just enjoy the benefits of GA.
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