April 17 2018 issue of Flight School Business

VOL. 8-ISSUE 8-4/17/2018

TRAINING TRENDS

Initial CFI checkride myths, dispelled

CFI checkrides: The oral portion lasts eight hours. You’re more likely to fail if you go with an FAA inspector. You’re probably going to fail anyway. Designated pilot examiner Jason Blair sheds light on these and other myths so you can help your customers prep efficiently for the initial CFI ride. READ MORE ›

NEWS

AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey opens

The AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey is open from now until Aug. 13. AOPA will use the survey results to recognize outstanding individual aviation educators and flight training businesses that deliver top-notch service. AOPA also uses the data to provide “report cards” to flight schools and CFIs. The report cards help schools and instructors identify their strengths as well as opportunities for improvement. Point your customers to the website to complete the survey.

Mass. school shuts location, citing CFI shortage

Executive Flyers Aviation said it will cease operations at its Boston location on April 22. The flight school said it has been unable to recruit enough flight instructors “of the quality we insist upon.” The shortage has hit college aviation programs, as Western Michigan College tells students it has taken the unprecedented step of offering to pay some instructors to obtain certification to teach the multiengine curriculum. READ MORE ›

Piper inks 100-aircraft deal with ATP

Piper Aircraft announced April 10 an order for 100 Piper Archer TX models for ATP Flight School—a milestone that has contributed to the aircraft company’s most successful year since 2003. ATP’s fleet of more than 320 aircraft on flight lines across the United States includes scores of Archers and Seminoles. READ MORE ›

Tecnam teams with new Florida collegiate program

International Aero Academy and Central Christian College are teaming up with Tecnam U.S. to establish a new, four-year aviation degree program based in Lakeland, Florida. The school will use Tecnam P2008 light sport aircraft for training. International Aero Academy President Steve Markoff said April 10 the academy will offer dormitory housing and a 12,000-square-foot maintenance facility. He said students will be on the flight line making money as instructors “within eight months” of beginning the program. READ MORE ›

FAA allows pilots to conduct PA-28 fuel selector inspections

The FAA has published a final rule that supersedes an airworthiness directive issued in January, and will allow owners of many Piper PA-28-series airplanes to inspect their aircraft fuel-tank selector cover placards for proper positioning. The new AD could save aircraft owners and pilots more than $763,000 in labor costs for the inspections across the fleet. READ MORE ›

Comment period open on aviation maintenance technician ACS

The FAA has published a new draft set of airman certification standards for aviation maintenance technician applicants. The draft combines the general, airframe, and powerplant standards into one combined standard. Public comments will be accepted until May 31. READ MORE ›

POLL

Leasebacks

Do you have aircraft on leaseback? Let us know in this week’s poll.

Results

In the April 3, 2018, issue, we wanted to know who your competition is. 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

If you are giving or receiving flight training in an aircraft weighing under 12,500 pounds, whether you are a U.S. citizen or an alien, the Transportation Security Administration’s alien flight training/citizenship validation rule affects you. AOPA has compiled easy to understand information on the parts of the rule that are relevant to flight training providers. Find information on applicability, step-by-step guidance to compliance, and answers to frequently asked questions online.

SAFETY

Learn about datalink weather

Datalink weather ranks as one of general aviation’s great technological advances. But clear information about datalink service options can be hard to find, and there’s sometimes confusion about the 2020 ADS-B mandate (which does not require pilots to use ADS-B In/FIS-B weather). A new video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute looks at the two providers—SiriusXM and ADS-B In/FIS-B—comparing modes of delivery, weather products, and other pros and cons to help pilots of all aircraft types decide which best fits their needs. See the video online.

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising Production Coordinator:
Donna Stoner

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