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Since the company’s inception, Redbird Flight Simulations has sought to provide innovative simulator solutions to the lower end of general aviation. Now the company is taking the technology to the next level by integrating full training scenarios in partnership with King Schools.

One of the biggest barriers to effective simulator usage is knowing how to use the simulator in the training environment. Simply turning it on and telling a student to go fly isn’t enough. Recognizing this, Redbird, Cessna, and King Schools announced Guided Independent Flight Training, or GIFT.

GIFT melds a King Schools training course with Redbird’s simulator to allow individuals to practice on their own or under the guidance of an instructor. Each student receives a card with a personal chip in it that he or she then plugs into the simulator. After choosing a lesson to study, the appropriate King Schools training module is shown on the screen. Then the student practices flying the scenario that was presented on the video, at which point the software grades his or her performance.

The first GIFT programs were scheduled to launch in May exclusively at Cessna Pilot Centers. A nationwide rollout is expected six months later.

Piper offers Archer with training package

Get an airplane with your pilot certificate

Nonpilots can buy a Piper Archer LX and become a pilot in three weeks under a new Ready, Set, Fly program using a professional training company atFlightSafety International in Vero Beach, Florida, Piper Executive Vice President Randy Groom announced at Sun 'n Fun.

Groom said the program is a direct response to an AOPA study on why some students fail to complete flight training. In particular, it addresses the poor-weather issue reported in the AOPA study by conducting the training in usually sunny Vero Beach. It also addresses an issue of poor professionalism by selecting a training company that will be announced later. Finally, Groom said it answers concerns about the quality of the aircraft, also reported in the study, by conducting training in the customer’s new Archer. The cost of the aircraft, with training included, is $309,900. For those who already are pilots, the $10,000 cost of the training will be subtracted from the price. “The Archer is the logical place to start, but we may do it for other aircraft,” Groom said.

The hope is that the customer will “graduate” to larger models in the Piper fleet, and perhaps even Piper’s Altaire jet.

Groom encouraged some interesting speculation on whether the company will reenter the light sport aircraft market. It withdrew from that market in January. Groom said he has his “eyes on a number of areas—LSAs—larger airplanes.” He did not elaborate. Later a reporter at Piper’s Sun 'n Fun press conference asked if the company will return to production of the Piper Cub, a model taken over by similar aircraft from American Legend and CubCrafters. “We are open and looking at a variety of options. We’re open,” Groom said.

Reporting on progress with the PiperJet Altaire, Groom said the company now has 175 engineers working on the jet. An assembly building should be ready in 2012, the same year that four conforming jets are expected to fly.

All vendors have been selected. Detailed design and assembly drawings are pouring from the engineers’ offices, and parts are being cut. Groom also announced an “Altaire Advance” program for discounts of $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 for customers buying Meridian, Mirage, and Matrix models now available. They can then take the discount on the jet when it is available.