Enroll in FAA WINGS Program: Don’t Just Wing Your Comms Training

There are many practical benefits to using the PlaneEnglish Aviation Radio Simulator (ARSim), from taxiing and takeoff to transitioning through complex airspace. 

By practicing common exchanges with Air Traffic Control and other pilots, you’ll quickly become a more confident and competent radio communicator. This also means you’ll be a safer and more situationally aware pilot. 

Having…

• a more formal structure to your learning,
• clear objectives, 
• and benchmarks of success

…can deepen and broaden your understanding and “fluency” so that you’re not just good at communicating--you excel at it. 

So how can the ARSim help you do that?

The PlaneEnglish ARSim can now earn you credit through the Federal Aviation Administration’s WINGS safety training program, a widely recognized program for helping pilots maintain and advance their currency and proficiency. 

Read on to have all your questions answered about the FAA WINGS program, how to earn credit, who is eligible to earn credit, and much more. 

Table of Contents

• What is the FAA WINGS Program?
• What is the FAA WINGS credit?
• Who can participate in WINGS?
• How is PlaneEnglish linked to WINGS?
• What ARSim-based courses are available through WINGS?
• Follow these 7 steps to start earning WINGS credit through the ARSim
• Keep your radio comms proficiency top-notch by utilizing our ARSim training

What is the FAA WINGS Program?

WINGS was created on the premise that by maintaining currency and proficiency in the basic elements of flight, pilots can reduce both their stress and the likelihood of encountering unanticipated problems--while building skills for dealing with challenging situations if and when they arise. 

WINGS offers a wide array of courses on topics like:

• Preflight checks 
• Weather assessments
• And even specific flight maneuvers

The courses are all designed to address the primary causal factors in accidents that continue to plague the general aviation community, many having to do with a lack of planning and preparation, situational awareness, or experience. 

WINGS offers three levels of training (Basic, Advanced, and Master WINGS), each of which have specific requirements for participating. 

What is the FAA WINGS credit?

FAA WINGS credit is a type of credit that pilots can earn by successfully completing certain courses. The credit is recorded by the FAA, and pilots can even use WINGS courses to satisfy parts of the recurrent training required under 14 CFR 61.56.

Why does WINGS credit matter?

Requirements for earning WINGS credit are linked to the class and category of airplane a pilot uses primarily for flying. 

Based on that information, WINGS offers a variety of learning activities and flight tasks that address the documented causal factors associated with accidents involving those kinds of aircraft. To help ensure pilots get a well-rounded learning experience, they are limited to taking only certain activities to fulfill credit requirements. 

Who can participate in WINGS?

Both pilots holding a U.S. pilot certificate and student pilots can participate in WINGS courses. 

However, student pilots must register with WINGS initially as non-airmen and will receive Phase 1 at the Basic Level of training only after successfully completing their Private Pilot practical test and an online course on Aeronautical Decision Making. 

How is PlaneEnglish linked to WINGS?

The FAA recognized the ARSim as a powerful training tool for bolstering pilots’ radio communication skills and invited PlaneEnglish to join the FAA Safety Team. 

Through this arrangement, the company is working with the FAA to develop a series of app-based courses that align with, and support, the goals of the WINGS program. 

What ARSim-based courses are available through WINGS?

PlaneEnglish’s first course in the FAA WINGS Program series is ALC-710: Radio Communications at Nontowered Airports and Class E Airspace, which may be accessed here and through the ARSim app’s website. 

The course has four levels, as well as a course check which requires a score of 4 or higher to earn WINGS credit. 

Additional courses offered include:

• ALC-727: VFR radio communications using ARSim interactive training
• ALC-728: IFR radio communications using ARSim interactive training
• ALC-1072: ARSim airports signs, markings, and lighting
• ALC-1075: ARSim traffic pattern basics and radio communication

Follow these 7 steps to start earning WINGS credit through the ARSim:

Step 1: If you don’t already have one, up a free WINGS account on www.FAASafety.gov.

Step 2: Find the FAA WINGS-accepted ALC-710, ALC-727, ALC-728,  ALC-1072, or ALC-1075 course via the WINGS catalog.

Step 3: Follow the link within the course description to the PlaneEnglish website and create or log into your account.

Step 4: Select the FAA WINGS program on the ARSim sign-in page. 

Step 5: Complete the lessons and course check.

Step 6: Tap the “Request WINGS Credit” button and confirm that your WINGS Program email address has been entered correctly.

Step 7: Press “Submit,” and you will receive a confirmation email from FAASafety.gov that you’ve successfully completed the course.

Keep your radio comms proficiency top-notch by utilizing our ARSim training

Radio communication training is a critical component of maintaining your proficiency as a pilot, but it’s only part of the puzzle.

To help ensure that you’re current and confident in all aspects of aviation, it’s important to include PlaneEnglish ARSim training as part of a broader, more complete training regimen. WINGS provides an excellent training environment to help you reach that goal. 

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