December 24 issue of Flight School Business

VOL. 9-ISSUE 26-December 24, 2019

A LOOK BACK

The news that affected flight schools

The pilot shortage—which some in the industry insist is not a shortage, but simply a response to years of inadequate wages at the lower tiers of commercial aviation—continued to be both a boon and a challenge for flight schools in 2019. Southwest Airlines joined a growing list of major airlines that have instituted an ab initio program to feed its pilot pipeline. The airlines remain resistant to the idea that they should pay for this type of training; typically cadets are required to bear that financial burden. Electric aviation inched closer to a place in the future training market. Meanwhile, new production trainers and light sport aircraft, from companies you know—Cirrus, Piper—and others you might not, hit the stage. The aviation industry saw a few bumps along the road. Sebring, Florida, canceled its U.S. Sport Aviation Expo. Redbird shuttered its innovative fixed-base operator Skyport, and founder Jerry Gregoire blasted the industry in a farewell message. Mooney International closed its Texas facility in November and then re-opened it in December, adding yet another odd chapter to this company's history. Finally, pilots' increasing love of all things digital had an impact on the long-running sales sheet Trade-a-Plane, which ceased its paper publication; and, to the surprise of absolutely no one, an FAA report found that more pilots are going online for weather briefings than ever before. On the government side, former Delta Air Lines executive Steve Dickson was sworn in as the new FAA administrator. The Trump administration canceled private aircraft flights to Cuba. The FAA finalized new ATP standards, and the agency also ordered a review of the designated pilot examiner system, with recommendations to be made within a year.

BEST OF 2019

These are stories that drew your attention.

Flight School Spotlight: CFI Bootcamp

Is your flight school feeling the instructor shortage? CFI Bootcamp is on a mission to work with flight schools across the country to develop more qualified flight instructors as quickly as possible. READ MORE ›

Five CFI checkride myths

Do you have CFI applicants getting ready to take the checkride? It's a tough one, to be sure, but Designated Pilot Examiner Jason Blair shares some insights on how to pass the practical test on the first try. READ MORE ›

The CFI who wasn't, part 2: Common mistakes that lead to invalid training

How can a flight instructor provide invalid training? Jason Blair helps you to count the ways, which include flight instructors not having proper privileges to conduct instrument training; ground instructors giving flight instruction; and ATPs giving instruction in other than air transportation service. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: Wayman Aviation: Building student leaders into future professionals

Are you looking for an effective way to help manage your student base while providing personalized attention to each customer? This Florida flight school shares the details about a program that may help. READ MORE ›

Doing scenic air tours the right way

Does your flight school give "introductory flights," or do it give "scenic rides"? There's a difference in how these operations can be conducted. Jason Blair tells you why you should make the extra effort to follow the rules for scenic flights. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: Illinois Aviation Academy

Every flight school that has been in business for more than 20 years knows what a crazy roller coaster ride this industry is. Illinois Aviation shares "Three Ps for Success" that have proved effective through good times and bad. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: Galvin Flying

Are you utilizing your simulator(s) effectively? Galvin Flying shows how a simple curriculum change is resulting in significant benefits, including saving clients money. READ MORE >

Drug testing and your CFIs, part 2

If the FAA doesn't require you to randomly drug test your employees, why should you bother? In the second part of a two-part series, designated pilot examiner Jason Blair says safety and liability are two considerations. READ MORE >

Flight School Spotlight: Avier Flight School

Massachusetts-based Avier Flight School shows how a winning philosophy plus some unique training techniques lead to amazing results. In just four years, this flight school has grown from one airplane and instructor to 95 clients, eight airplanes, and seven instructors. READ MORE >

5 business practices of savvy flight training operations

Instrument training at night? No rental aircraft? When it comes to flight training, not everybody does things the same. But that doesn't mean flight schools can't learn from each other to increase their profitability. Jason Blair shares five out-of-the-box practices that you can consider adopting for your own business. READ MORE >

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

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