August 8 2017 issue of Flight School Business

VOL. 7-ISSUE 16-8/8/2017

TRAINING TRENDS

Another type of CRM

Crew resource management is a critical component of professional flying. Customer relationship management is another type of CRM that will help flight schools retain clients. The chief marketing officer of Channel Islands Aviation dumped her old-school Excel spreadsheet in favor of a web-based CRM program that can target email campaigns to specific groups and is accessible to all staff members. It shows the customer that the flight school is organized and professional, she said. READ MORE ›

NEWS

AOPA supports ATP applicant’s exemption request

A U.S. Air Force pilot who was deployed overseas when stringent new rules for knowledge testing of airline transport pilot (ATP) applicants took effect in 2014 is seeking an exemption from the new requirement to take an FAA-approved ATP pilot certification training program before he can take the ATP knowledge exam. READ MORE ›

NAFI announces professional development center

The National Association of Flight Instructors on July 24 announced the launch of a professional development program aimed at helping certificated flight instructors strengthen their marketing and customer service skills. NAFI President Rick Todd said the program is a response to the high dropout rate among student pilots. The program is available free of charge to all flight instructors on the NAFI website. READ MORE ›

Cirrus Embark training program launches

In an effort to improve the safety record among pilots buying used Cirrus aircraft, the company has launched a new training program. Cirrus Embark provides up to three days of free flight training for pilots who buy used airplanes, access to the company's online training resources, and a one-year membership in the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association. READ MORE ›

King Schools updates training course

King Schools is rolling out a host of new student management and tracking features for the Cessna Pilot Center training network. Updates to King Schools’ Cessna Pilot Center Tracking System make the process paperless. Instructors can log flights, track syllabus progress, and electronically sign training records with a new iPad application. READ MORE ›

Vulcanair single expected to battle Cessna 172

Italian aircraft manufacturer Vulcanair introduced to the United States a four-place, high-wing, entry-level Cessna 172 lookalike last month at EAA AirVenture, and boasted that the aircraft can do everything a Skyhawk can do—plus a little bit more—for about $100,000 less. The V1.0 is IFR-equipped with a Garmin G500 primary flight display/multifunction display. READ MORE ›

Redbird GIFT makes sim learning more fun, engaging

A new curriculum from Redbird Flight Simulations is aimed at helping student pilots train more effectively in a simulator. The Guided Independent Flight Training course uses short video segments that introduce basic flight training concepts such as stalls, steep turns, and even takeoffs and landings. The student can then get into the sim and practice the maneuvers under the guidance of a virtual instructor. READ MORE ›

POLL

Eclipse flights

On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible across the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to viewing spots. Is your flight school planning to participate in this event via fly-outs, hosting visiting aircraft, et cetera? Tell us in this week’s poll.

Results

In the July 25, 2017, issue, we wanted to know who handles the maintenance at your flight school. Here are the results:

<em>Flight School Business</em>

MARKETING

Selling the dream

An aviation marketing professional believes pilots and engineers are the absolute worst at selling the dream of flight. Yet flight schools generally rely on flight instructors to close the deal on prospective customers. You can help your flight instructors at converting interested people into paying customers. READ MORE ›

QUICK TIP

It’s that time of year. Parents are getting ready to send their children back to school. Why not launch your own "Back to School" promotion? Gulf Coast Aviation did just that—offering a 20 percent discount on one hour of simulator time, and incorporating a clever school bus graphic in its email blast to clients.

SAFETY

Low wing may equal lower risk on landing

The high-wing versus low-wing debate is one of those questions you just don’t want to get into at an airport. But, as David Jack Kenny reveals, there’s evidence to support that low-wing aircraft are less likely to be involved in landing accidents than their high-wing counterparts. READ MORE ›

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
(800) 872-2672
(301) 695-2375 Fax

Send Feedback | FSB Archive | Subscribe

Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising Production Coordinator:
Donna Stoner

AOPA Advertising website