Below the Line | Episode 1: Central Air Safety

What does it actually take to keep PSA pilots safe? In this inaugural episode of Below the Line, the official podcast of the PSA Master Executive Council, we sit down with Captain Dan Stanchek, Chairman of the Central Air Safety Committee, to pull back the curtain on one of the most vital groups operating on behalf of PSA pilots. Dan breaks down the committee's wide-ranging responsibilities, from overseeing ASAP, FOQA, and the Fatigue Risk Management Committee, to serving as a direct liaison between the pilot group and company leadership. He walks us through how each program works, why voluntary reporting matters, and what pilots should know about their protections when they speak up. We also dig into the safety trends PSA is watching closely right now, including collision risks in congested and unmonitored airspace, unstable approach rates, and the challenges of managing fatigue during high-tempo summer operations. Captain Stanchek shares practical guidance on when to call in fatigued, how to file a meaningful safety report, and why tools like SkyPath could be a game-changer this season. Whether you've filed an ASAP report before or you've never thought twice about it, this episode is a must-listen. Your fellow pilots are working every day to make sure the information you provide leads to real change. Below the Line is produced by the PSA Master Executive Council.