February 17, 2011 – GA pilots know that flight preparation takes a good deal of planning and coordination. With so many checklists and steps, it is easy to overlook another important component of a safe flight: ground safety. In his article, “Safety from the Ground Up,” pilot, mechanic, and FAA Safety Briefing associate editor Tom Hoffman walks you through some essential ramp risk management strategies to ensure a smooth take-off. Beginning at home, before you even head out to the airport, start by picking the right clothes appropriate for the weather and to protect yourself from ramp safety hazards. Look out for foreign object debris on ramps and taxiways to avoid damage to your aircraft. Use and be attentive to signals indicating that aircraft propellers are moving to avoid devastating accidents. Read about these and other essential components of ground safety on page 11 of the January/February 2011 issue of FAA Safety Briefing at www.faa.gov/news/safery_briefing/.