The ripple effect
Ever since AOPA introduced its Rusty Pilots program to get lapsed pilots back into the left seat, we’ve told you that hosting a Rusty Pilots seminar can bring you some extra business.
Sure, if you can get your Rusty Pilots off the bench and into the cockpit for a flight review, you’ll get some income there. But here’s an example of the ripple effect that lapsed pilots returning to the air can create.
Stuart Rogal and Joseph Keller were lapsed pilots who attended Rusty Pilots seminars hosted by Chesapeake Sport Pilot (CSP) flight school in Stevensville, Maryland. Rogal hadn’t flown since 1999; Keller said he was 20 to 25 years out of the left seat.
Both men realized how much they missed flying and worked to get current again. Rogal began exercising sport pilot privileges while he waited to get his medical certificate squared away, so he got current with the help of a CFI and began renting an airplane. That’s two revenue streams right there.
Keller also got current with the help of a CFI and began flying CSP’s aircraft. Now we’re up to four revenue streams.
But wait, there’s more.
Rogal bought a Cessna 172, thus bringing additional revenue to his FBO and maintenance shop. He leased it back to CSP, which was able to enhance its fleet with a four-place airplane for rental and instruction.
Rogal and Keller flew to AirVenture together in July. They took Keller’s 15-year-old son, Calvin, who had a great time as well. They plan to go back in 2019 and bring Keller’s son as well as his daughter, Sophia.
What’s more, Keller wants to get his sport pilot instructor certificate. He wants to be able to teach his kids how to fly.
And Rogal wants to get his commercial certificate. He isn’t sure what he wants to do with that, but he’s a self-professed lifelong learner, and he knows that striving for another certificate or rating will help keep him a safe, proficient pilot.
And all of this came about because two pilots attended a Rusty Pilots seminar.
Read all about Stuart and Joseph’s grand adventure to AirVenture here, and learn how you can host a Rusty Pilots seminar here.
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2018/august/13/a-grand-adventure
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/lapsed-pilots/rusty-pilots/how-to-host-a-seminar
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