December 25 issue of Flight School Business

VOL. 8-ISSUE 26-12/25/2018

A LOOK BACK

The news that affected flight schools

Flight schools found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place in 2018. The pilot shortage kept flight schools busy with new pilots and certificated pilots returning to the skies. Then, as soon as flight instructors reached a certain number of hours they were likely to decamp to the airlines—continuing a trend seen in 2017 that affects almost all segments of the aviation industry. Increased demand for practical tests created scheduling delays for designated pilot examiners (DPEs)—and the FAA stepped up. The agency removed geographic restrictions limiting where DPEs can render their services, and it got rid of a policy prohibiting examiners from giving more than two tests in a day.

Pilots across the spectrum saw regulatory changes that should make training less expensive. In April, the FAA discontinued the requirement that applicants for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single engine rating or a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single engine rating provide a complex airplane for their practical tests. That’s a boon to clients’ budgets—but will flight schools now be saddled with complex aircraft they no longer need?

Meanwhile, instrument-rated pilots who use approved aviation training devices to satisfy flight experience requirements now can enjoy up to six months of currency rather than two. And sport pilots now can credit their flight experience toward higher certificates and ratings. At year’s end, the FAA was considering allowing the use of experimental light sport aircraft in flight training for compensation or hire. Comments closed Nov. 23.

Congress tried to institute privatization for the air traffic control system, but was ultimately unsuccessful, and the FAA received a long-term budget for the first time in years.

BEST OF 2018

These are the stories that caught your attention in 2018.

Fleet of Sun Flyers sold

Bye Aerospace announced an order for 30 all-electric Sun Flyer 2 airplanes from the Aspen Flying Club—the largest order to date for the all-electric aircraft that first flew in April. READ MORE ›

The life and death of a troubled flight school

A Florida flight school has closed its doors, leaving international students wondering how they’ll finish their training. That’s not really news, but aircraft accidents that plagued the school give this story a tragic twist. READ MORE ›

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 ›

Collegiate flight schools: Help wanted

Just as other flight schools are struggling to hire instructors, college aviation programs are feeling the pinch as well. Here’s what some schools and regional airlines are doing to address the challenges. READ MORE ›

Vendor Spotlight: Open Airplane

Do you have one or more airplanes that you wish would fly more? Would your current customers benefit from being able to easily rent airplanes all over the United States? If your answer to either or both of those questions is yes, OpenAirplane might have just what you need. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: Pilot Flight Training Courses

Do you offer a 10-day instrument rating course? Should you? Flight school owner and instructor Joe Standley says the key to success is to properly manage client expectations. Customers need to know that your course is no quick fix or shortcut to the rating, and that you intend to train them to be safe, proficient instrument pilots. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: Take Flight Aviation

Do you sometimes feel as if your marketing team, front desk personnel, and flight instructors are pulling in different directions? The owner of Take Flight Aviation shares what this flight school has done to create a winning culture and get everybody on the same page. READ MORE ›

Boeing forecasts unprecedented pilot demand

Boeing Co.’s highly anticipated 20-year aviation jobs forecast predicted “unprecedented” pilot demand through 2037, including the need for 635,000 pilots, 622,000 commercial technicians, and 858,000 cabin crew members. READ MORE ›

FAA updates airman certification standards

The FAA revised the airman certification standards for private pilot airplane; instrument rating-airplane; commercial pilot-airplane; and remote pilot-small unmanned aircraft systems. Changes included new regulations pertaining to Part 68 BasicMed privileges and limitations. Additionally, examiners now have discretion to ask for a full aerodynamic stall on a checkride. READ MORE ›

Can you afford not to pay your CFIs more?

Flight schools are struggling to hire and retain flight instructors. Perhaps your flight school is struggling, too. Flight instructor Jason Blair says costs associated with turnover are probably much higher than you think. He shows you how a salary increase could affect your cost of business but decrease failure rates and reduce training times. READ MORE ›

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Flight School Business Editor:
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