Newly Released Skillscore Tracker Provides Immediate Feedback on Piloting Skills

The Experimental Aircraft Association, in cooperation with CloudAhoy, a leader in bringing technology to post-flight debriefing, is releasing at no charge to EAA members the first proficiency tracker for flying skills.

The EAA SkillScore Tracker is the first resource that allows pilots to measure flying proficiency on an EAA web portal or their mobile devices. Working through the CloudAhoy mobile app, pilots can track flying consistency and stability. Using this data, the EAA SkillScore Tracker will generate a comprehensive, personalized and confidential SkillScore, confirming a pilot’s overall strengths or need for additional work.

“The principles behind this feature are very similar to the fitness trackers millions of people use for exercise,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs. “Using this app with every flight measures flying skills in several categories to determine where a pilot stands. These scores are easy to track and establishes a way for pilots to be more proficient in the sky.”

The proprietary tracking and scoring system was developed by EAA in association with flight training community leaders Aleks Udris and Colin Cutler of Boldmethod, along with Billy Wilburn of Community Aviation and Karen Kalishek (CFI and FAA’s 2019 Safety Representative of the Year). Some of the scoring measurements include:

·         Quality of flight (stability of landing approach, maintaining altitude in straight-and-level flight and in turns, and quality of FAA-standard maneuvers such as steep turns)

·         Number of takeoffs and landings within 90 days

·         Number of flights with a flight instructor

·         Time spent in the air

“Every flight is an opportunity for pilots to improve their skills, but we can track improvement only if we can measure it,” said Mike Goulian, Red Bull Air Race champion, air show performer, and flight instructor, who participated in the project’s development. “When coupled with CloudAhoy’s standard app, EAA SkillScore Tracker is the best way to track your progress, without the time and expense of unnecessary effort, so you can continually build your abilities with every flight.”

While the EAA SkillScore Tracker is free to all EAA members, CloudAhoy also offers more in-depth and detailed analysis for premium account holders.

More information about the EAA SkillScore Tracker is available at EAA.org/Proficiency. It is part of EAA Proficiency365TM, where pilots can develop and refine skills that make them a better, safer pilot. EAA Proficiency365TM also features IMC Clubs and VMC Clubs for local flying groups, EAA Virtual Flight Academy, flight planning tool marketplace, and information about the Pilot Proficiency Center pavilion featured each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.