April 4 2017 issue of Flight School Business

VOL. 7-ISSUE 7-4/4/2017

TRAINING TRENDS

Flight School Spotlight: Performance Aircraft

Encouraging aircraft ownership

Is it better for flight training clients to rent airplanes or buy their own? If you think it’s better to rent your aircraft, think again. Performance Aircraft in Lincoln, Nebraska, sees increased revenue from sales commissions, transition training, and helping to manage clients’ airplanes. Encouraging customers to buy airplanes fulfills this company’s mission to inspire and enable others to achieve their dreams. "Our clients fly more, earn additional certificates/ratings, fly more advanced aircraft, get more utility from aviation, and find more fulfillment," says the company’s president and founder. READ MORE ›

NEWS

American Flyers to exit Santa Monica

National flight training chain American Flyers will close its flight school at California’s Santa Monica Municipal Airport on April 15. American Flyers has been at the airport for 50 years. The decision marks the second closing of a major flight training tenant of the airport in the past year. READ MORE ›

Simhawk connects buyers with simulator marketplace

A proliferation of flight simulators and training providers has prompted a Vermont company to create a platform that connects flight schools, universities, airlines, and individual pilots with a marketplace. Simhawk helps pilots and aircraft operators find simulator time all over the world whenever they need it, according to the company’s chief executive officer. READ MORE ›

At Sun ‘n Fun? Join the AOPA at the Flight School Social

While you’re at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo, stop by the Flight School Social on Thursday, April 6 to meet members of the AOPA You Can Fly team and learn how they can bring pilots to your flight school. We’ll also offer a quick update on the 2017 Flight Training Poll and Excellence Awards. The social will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the AOPA Program Pavilion. Refreshments will be served. REGISTER ONLINE ›

Lantana businesses scramble to survive

Small aviation businesses that once thrived at Palm Beach, Florida’s Lantana Airport may be approaching a crisis point as security shutdowns ground all local flying during peak weekend money-making periods. Frequent temporary flight restrictions prompted by President Donald Trump’s stays at Mar-A-Lago idled the field from Friday evenings to Monday mornings on most recent weekends. READ MORE ›

Area forecast elimination timetable updated

The graphical weather product designed to replace the legacy text-base area forecast will become operational on April 13—but the old-school weather forecasts won’t be going away for a while. The graphical forecasts for aviation will transition from an experimental to an operational weather product. READ MORE ›

Jobs available with AOPA’s You Can Fly

AOPA seeks qualified candidates for positions in support of the Flight Training initiative and other efforts under the association’s You Can Fly brand. The senior director of flight training business resources will provide day-to-day leadership of the business resources segment of the Flight Training Network. The position provides strategic direction and action in support of the business operations of Flight Training Network members. The senior director of flight training technology will provide strategic direction and action in areas related to identifying, selecting, implementing, and managing technology solutions in support of the Flight Training Network and its members and management. See the website for more information or to apply.

POLL

Aircraft sales

Do you sell aircraft as well as flight training services? Take this week’s survey.

Results

In the March 21, 2017, issue, we wanted to know whether your flight school hosts special opportunities for learning. Here are the results:

<em>Flight School Business</em>

MARKETING

Making introductory flights work—for everyone

Introductory flights are an important marketing tool. How can you get your flight instructors to treat them as the opportunities for income that they are? READ MORE ›

QUICK TIP

Tornado season is ramping up, with hurricanes and wildfires soon to follow. Does your business have an emergency plan in the event of a severe weather emergency? How or where will you move your aircraft? The time to develop or review your plan is now, before you need it. These tips from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety can help.

SAFETY

It happens

Even thousands of hours in a logbook don’t shield the seasoned flight instructor from the occasional mental lapse. Has the process of training new pilots become a little too routine? READ MORE ›

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising Production Coordinator:
Donna Stoner

AOPA Advertising website