February 18 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 10-ISSUE 4-February 18, 2020

TRAINING TRENDS

'Classrooms' offered as new aviation learning environment

Swimming against the trend of self-study, aviation veteran Kirby Ortega is offering aviation students a "live learning experience"—aka ground school—in Wichita. Ortega believes the human element of ground training can help keep a student pilot who has become discouraged with self-study from giving up. READ MORE ›

NEWS

United Airlines digs into training market

United Airlines announced a partnership with ATP Flight School and the purchase of an Arizona flight school. The Aviate partnership combines ATP's accelerated pilot training with milestones to advance pilots to a career with United. Meanwhile, the airline has purchased Westwind School of Aeronautics in Phoenix, a flight training academy. READ MORE ›

AOPA Advantage demo at flight school conference

Flight School Association of North America attendees can see a public demonstration of the AOPA Advantage adaptive flight training system at AOPA’s booth during the International Flight School Operators Conference in Las Vegas. The conference will be held February 19 through 21. AOPA’s You Can Fly staff will also ask for beta testers on the adaptive training system. For more information on the FSANA conference or to register, see the website.

ATP Flight School says industry is on fire

Hot on the heels of a deal with United Airlines, ATP Flight School announced an enhanced partnership with regional air carrier SkyWest Airlines. The updated agreement calls for increased tuition reimbursement up to $17,500 for pilots training with ATP. READ MORE ›

AOPA pitches IPC reforms

The FAA should permit pilots who must take an instrument proficiency check before acting as pilot in command under instrument flight rules to use aviation training devices to meet their regulatory obligation, AOPA has told the the agency. READ MORE ›

Alton Bay ice runway won't open in 2020

The seasonal ice runway in Alton Bay, New Hampshire, won't open this year. The bay has not gained a sufficient depth of ice, fluctuating between 5 to 9 inches when a minimum of 12 inches is required, according to the New Hampshire Pilots Association. READ MORE ›

Purdue University, Fla. flight school team up for flight program

Purdue University and Sterling Flight Training in Jacksonville, Florida, are collaborating on a new professional pilot program. The Purdue University Global program will combine the quality of the Lafayette, Indiana, university’s flight training program with the flexibility and affordability of its global online program. The program expects to begin taking applications later this year.

POLL

In-person ground schools

Kirby Ortega is finding enthusiastic customers for his in-person ground school in Wichita. Does your flight school offer in-person ground school? Tell us in this week's poll.

Results

In the February 4, 2020, survey we asked whether flight school customers are asking about safety issues in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash. Here are the results.

MARKETING

The CFI as a salesperson

Your flight instructor staff is also your sales staff. But how do you get them to sign on to that idea? By helping them to recognize that everyone is a salesperson at some level. Ed Helmick gives you more ideas. READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

Sometimes, an employee needs to be disciplined or terminated. Understanding your responsibilities as an employer may help prevent a discrimination charge or complaint. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has a list of items to consider, including ensuring that disciplinary and termination decisions are consistent with your discipline policy, and documenting the reason or reasons for the discipline or termination. Find more information on the EEOC website.

SAFETY

'There I was...Fire in the cabin' podcast available

Greg Soter was flying a Cessna 172 for a company testing radar gear when the equipment caught fire in the backseat and forced Greg to make an emergency landing off-airport. Hear Soter's discussion of the event in the latest "There I Was" podcast from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising Production Coordinator:
Donna Stoner

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