July 11 2017 issue of Flight School Business

TRAINING TRENDS

The AeroCamp Experience

Are you looking for a fun new way to attract young people to your flight school? Parents are always looking for summer day-camp opportunities, but as a flight school owner, you might not have expertise in this area. In this issue you’ll learn how Triad Aviation Academy, Greensboro, North Carolina, took a well-crafted industry program and tweaked it to bring back campers year after year and entice them to begin flight training. The summer camp program also is a great way to showcase various paths to aviation careers. “All the smiles on the kids’ faces are enough to keep me going,” said Triad’s Bruce McCall. READ MORE ›

NEWS

Take a stand against ATC privatization

AOPA is asking members to contact their congressional representatives to oppose air traffic control privatization. The House Transportation and Infrastructure committee passed a bill on June 27 that would privatize air traffic control. READ MORE ›

Join us at EAA AirVenture

Coming to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture? Join AOPA’s You Can Fly team at the Flight School Social on Wednesday, July 26, to learn how we can help bring pilots to your flight school. Learn more about the future of avgas from sponsor AeroShell. We’ll also provide updates on BasicMed and the new features of the 2017 Flight Training Experience Survey and awards. Refreshments will be served. The social will be held at the AOPA Pavilion from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Register online.

Central Texas College acquires airplanes, simulator

Central Texas College (CTC) in Killeen, Texas, has acquired four aircraft and a flight simulator for its aviation science department. Two Piper Archers and two Piper Arrows were added to the fleet, along with a Frasca Level 5 simulator. CTC’s two-year program leads to an associate in applied science degree; graduates earn a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating, according to the Killeen Daily Herald.

Police kill man trying to hijack helicopter

Oregon police shot and killed a man who was attempting to hijack a helicopter at the Portland-Hillsboro Airport. Witnesses said the man was wearing a mask and carrying a gun when he climbed a fence to enter the airport, where he approached a flight instructor and student pilot seated in a helicopter. The man forced them out of the helicopter at gunpoint and climbed in, but fled on foot when a police officer arrived on the scene. A second officer shot him during the chase, according to the Herald and News.

Job openings at AOPA

AOPA seeks a director of research and analysis and a senior director of flight training business support. The director of research and analysis will plan, collect, analyze, and disseminate research to assist AOPA’s understanding of complex issues across the spectrum of general aviation. Pilot or general aviation experience is preferred. The senior director of flight training business support will provide leadership of the business resources segment of the Flight Training Network. A pilot certificate is required. See the website for more details or to apply.

POLL

Working with the regionals

Does your flight school have an agreement with a regional airline to train pilots? Tell us in this week’s poll.

Results

In the June 27, 2017, issue, we asked whether you offer companion programs for nonpilots. Here are the results:

<em>Flight School Business</em>

MARKETING

Waiting for that first impression

You have five to 10 seconds to make a good first impression on a visitor to your business. What happens if you don’t acknowledge the visitor at all? READ MORE ›

QUICK TIP

The health of your local economy is probably one of your biggest challenges. There’s probably not much your business can do to affect the health of your local economy, but when you join the chamber of commerce or other local business group, you can work with others to bring about changes that benefit all businesses in your community. Andrew DePietro shares more insights on Forbes.com.

SAFETY

Can’t see, must avoid

How do you teach pilots to avoid wake turbulence, when you can’t see it and it can’t be safely simulated in the air? Awareness of circumstances where you’re likely to encounter wake turbulence is key. READ MORE ›

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising Production Coordinator:
Donna Stoner

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