October 27 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 10-ISSUE 22-October 27, 2020

TRAINING TRENDS

Baker 'bullish' on training environment at Redbird Migration

Flight training professionals and general aviation leaders attending the virtual Redbird Migration said the overall flight training appetite remains strong despite coronavirus pandemic restrictions and an economic slowdown. Ideas, encouragement, and support were shared during online presentations, informal coffee breaks, roundtable discussions, and live Q&As. READ MORE ›

NEWS

New 'Nall Report' indicates continued decrease in accident trends

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's just-released editions of the Joseph T. Nall Report note a continued decrease in overall accident rates. The overall accident rate in 2017 was 4.81 per 100,000 flight hours and 4.56 in 2018. The fatal accident rate also decreased to 0.76 per 100,000 hours in 2017 and 0.74 in 2018, based on available data. READ MORE ›

FlyThisSim complaints continue

AOPA reached out to flight simulator firm FlyThisSim after receiving continued complaints about the company to our Pilot Information Center, but emails bounced back as undeliverable and phone calls were not answered. The company's events webpage hasn't been updated since 2017. READ MORE ›

Boeing's 20-year job predictions lowered

Boeing's Pilot and Technician Outlook 2020–2039 cites a drop in demand of 41,000 pilots and 30,000 technicians from the 2019 forecast because of "a temporary oversupply of qualified personnel" driven by the COVID-19 pandemic but predicts "the long-term need remains robust." READ MORE ›

Able Flight pursuing drone operations

Able Flight, an outreach that has been providing flight training scholarships to individuals with physical disabilities for almost 15 years, is partnering with the Unmanned Safety Institute to provide training to its scholarship recipients that could lead to careers. READ MORE ›

Norwegian flight school establishes U.S. training site

Pilot Flight Academy in Norway is opening a training site in Denton, Texas, in partnership with US Aviation Academy. The operation in Denton will be a fully integrated part of its EASA approval from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authorities and the Norwegian Lånekassen for student funding, according to a news release. Students will complete all ground school and knowledge tests in Norway before they start flight training in the United States.

Welcoming new customers: You Can Fly issue a 'very valuable resource'

Does your flight school offer an information package or welcome kit to prospective new students? United Flight Systems, at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport in Spring, Texas, north of Houston includes pricing and information on what to expect in training; as a member of Liberty University's Flight Training Affiliate Program, there's information about the college programs. It also adds AOPA's "You Can Fly: Your Path to Become a Pilot" special edition of Flight Training. "It’s a very valuable resource," said Bobby Doss, president and owner of the flight school. "It has been a great tool to share with potential students as they come in to learn more." It’s not too late to request a countertop display or extra copies, all provided at no charge to your school. Contact AOPA at [email protected].

POLL

What's your pass/fail rate?

What is your flight school's pass/fail rate for checkrides? Tell us in this week's survey.

Results

In the October 13, 2020, poll we asked how many CFIs you currently employ. Here are the results.

MARKETING

Putting customers first

We often tell you to make customers a priority, but we don't usually tell you how to do that. Luckily, you already have the tools at your disposal: policies, checklists, and syllabi. READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

e-Commerce continues to be a strong trend for small businesses in 2020 and beyond. If you have an e-commerce store, make sure it is up to date with the latest products, offers, and deals. Consider adding bundles to the inventory: a student pilot bundle with FAR/AIM; an instrument pilot bundle with view-limiting device; a Back-to-the-Left-Seat bundle for the returning pilot.

SAFETY

'There I Was…': Tecnam through a tree

On the latest episode of There I Was..., we talk to Mirek Fatyga, a commercial-rated pilot based in Phoenix, Arizona. Mirek tells the story of piloting a Tecnam light sport aircraft at night, when he flew through a tree while on approach to land at an airport near Richmond, Virginia. Listen to the podcast here.

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising Production Coordinator:
Donna Stoner

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