Seventy-five years ago, on November 10, 1950, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Air Safety Institute (ASI) began life as the AOPA Foundation. Over that time, ASI has evolved, but its goal has remained the same: to help pilots make better decisions and reduce the general aviation accident rate.
ASI is now the largest provider of free general aviation safety content worldwide, supported by the AOPA Foundation and individual donors. Its comprehensive data analysis and research reports are widely used in the aviation industry. AOPA educational materials—including the signature video series “Early Analysis,” “Real Pilot Stories,” and “Accident Case Studies”—attract millions of views each year.
In addition, ASI’s Flight Instructor Refresher Course helps flight instructors renew their certificates and provides safety-critical course modules that promote a strong safety culture among the flight instruction industry.
“Since 1950, ASI has made a name for itself as a leading source of aviation safety information and analysis,” AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance said. “Since then, the general aviation accident rate has dropped to its lowest level ever.”
The general aviation fatal accident rate has declined more than 80 percent—from 4 per 100,000 hours flown in 1950 to 0.77 per 100,000 hours flown in 2022, the last year for which complete data is available.
“This is a remarkable achievement that reflects better technology—both inside and outside the cockpit—improved training, and a stronger safety culture built by organizations like ASI,” Pleasance said. “I’m proud of the ASI team for continuing to produce high-quality content from which pilots can learn. Aviation is currently under a microscope, and ASI has a long tradition and legacy of offering pilots opportunities to improve their knowledge and sharpen their skills. That ongoing work is more important than ever.”
Pilots can find ASI’s full library of safety courses, videos, and reports at airsafetyinstitute.org.
