January 12, 2016, issue of ‘Flight School Business’ newsletter

News

FAA updates flight review guidance

The FAA has issued updated guidance for flight instructors conducting flight reviews and instrument proficiency checks. The new advisory circular AC 61-98C adds stabilized approaches and landings, automation system failures, and English language proficiency to the sample checklist that the FAA urges flight instructors to use during flight reviews and IPCs. Read more >>

Flying Musicians Association opens 2016 scholarship

The Flying Musicians Association is accepting applications for the 2016 FMA Solo Program scholarship, open to juniors and seniors who are involved in high school bands. The 2015 recipient, Drew Medina of Vero Beach, Florida, has soloed and is closely involved with the flying club at his airport. Read more >>

FAA seeks comments on updated weather circulars

The FAA wants your input on two draft advisory circulars that update its reference material on aviation weather by presenting new weather products and getting rid of obsolete ones. The Aviation Weather Center and the FAA are moving toward distribution of weather information that places greater emphasis on graphical weather products available online. Read more >>

Super Bowl 50 flight advisory imminent

Pilots and flight schools at 15 California airports should be on the lookout for special security provisions implemented in the San Jose and San Francisco areas prior to Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7. Pilots can expect traffic management and safety initiatives including temporary flight restrictions, discrete transponder codes, and two-way communication in the vicinity of Levi Stadium. Read more >>

Piper sends diesel Archer to Danish flight school

Piper Aircraft shipped a diesel engine Archer DX to Scandinavia in December 2015. Billund Air Center in Denmark acquired the airplane, and said it intends to add more to its flight line. The Archer features a Continental CD-155 engine, cruises at 114 knots true airspeed at 70 percent power, and burns 5.8 gallons per hour of jet fuel, Piper said.

Cape Air cites pilot shortage after flight cancellations

Regional airline Cape Air said the pilot shortage is the cause of a spate of recent flight cancellations at Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) in Billings, Montana. Cape Air offers daily flights between Billings and five other Montana communities, but 16 flights were cancelled recently, according to the Billings Gazette. Trish Lorino, Cape Air vice president of marketing and public relations, said people who are concerned about the pilot shortage should contact their congressional representatives and “ask them to take a look at first officer qualifications. It is so limiting. It’s affecting the big carriers and it’s putting a crimp in air travel.”

Florida Flight Center expands to Virginia airport

Florida Flight Center, in a joint venture with Bon Air Brokerage, has expanded its services to Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field Airport (LYH) in Lynchburg, Virginia. The facility offers Cessna Citation CE-500 and CE-525 initial type ratings, CE-500 single pilot exemption certification, and recurrent training. Initial and recurrent training for turboprop and pressurized piston aircraft will be offered, along with jet management, pilot services, and aircraft sales and appraisals.

Training Trends

Fly the business first

“Aviate, navigate, communicate”: a priority for pilots, but did you know it applies to running a flight school? Michael Hangartner explains how to avoid distractions that can prevent you from operating your business smoothly. Read more >>

Poll

Fuel discounts

Does your local FBO discount your flight school’s fuel purchases? Take the poll >>

Results

In the last issue, we asked how your flight school performed in 2015.

Marketing

Does your website work for everybody?

You’ve updated your flight school website—but does it work for mobile users as well? Jill W. Tallman explains why this is increasingly important for small businesses. Read more >>

Quick tip

It’s a brand-new year, and January is your opportunity to remind your customers how you can help them achieve their aviation goals in 2016. Take a cue from Wings of Wyoming in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which sent an email blast to customers offering a 10 percent discount on aircraft rental for those with a prepaid account of $3,000 or more.

Safety

Here we go again

Every year, pilots allow inconsequential anomalies to become dangerous distractions. Help your students and customers not to turn an inconvenience into a life-threatening emergency. Read more >>

Editor: Jill W. Tallman

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