August 31 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 11-ISSUE 18-August 31, 2021

TRAINING TRENDS

Electric aircraft stretch solar legs, training delayed

Electric aircraft manufacturers keep talking about promising new trainers that can be flown less expensively, but what's really going on? A fleet of four in California await FAA approval before they can be used for training, and the yearslong delay boils down to one word: reciprocating. (Photo courtesy of Beam Global) READ MORE ›

NEWS

Pilots to start reaping benefits of notam modernization effort

Pilots could start seeing improvements in the notice to airmen system as early as this fall, the FAA said August 17. Improvements include graphical airport construction diagrams and a decrease in the number of permanent notams as the changes are incorporated into charts. In addition, the notam system will become more resistant to outages as it is moved into the cloud. READ MORE ›

Learn how to build good airport relationships

In this month's edition of the AOPA Flight School Connector webinar, join AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy Mike Ginter and other flight training professionals to discuss the all-important ecosystems of well-balanced airports, and how to work with airport management so that everyone benefits. From minimum standards to lease issues, we'll try to tackle the most common things our advocacy group encounters. The webinar will be held Wednesday, September 1, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Register online.

FSANA to host designated pilot examiner symposium

The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) will host a designated pilot examiner (DPE) symposium October 26 through 27 in Nashville, Tennessee. The event is intended to bring together DPEs, future DPEs, and the flight training community to discuss examiner operating activities, practical test best practices, and customer service for examiners. Discussion topics will include DMS and IACRA tips for examiners; delivering good customer service while also providing quality testing; and how many flight schools and examiners integrate for success. To view the program or register, see the website.

Liberty University affiliate flyGateway orders 20 Piper Pilots

Liberty University Flight Training Affiliate Program participant flyGateway Aviation Institute ordered 20 single-engine Piper Pilot 100i instrument trainers to augment the mid-Atlantic-based flight school's fleet of 30 aircraft. The order will begin with 14 trainers scheduled for delivery in January. The remaining six Pilot 100i models will be delivered later in 2022. READ MORE ›

Alabama university adds aerospace systems management programs

Athens State University in Alabama is set to offer an online Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace systems management with fields of study in aviation and in space exploration beginning October 5. Space system studies include aerospace project management; space mission planning, control, and communications; aircraft and aerospace manufacturing; and avionics, aircraft, and spacecraft systems. READ MORE ›

300 schools to use AOPA's You Can Fly curriculum

The AOPA Foundation You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM curriculum is quickly being adopted at schools across the United States, with 300 educational institutions in 44 states scheduled to use the curriculum in the 2021-22 school year. That represents a 50-percent increase in the number of schools and a 22-percent increase in the number of states in which the curriculum will be taught compared to one year ago. READ MORE ›

POLL

CFI employment contracts

Does your flight school have employment contracts for flight instructors? Tell us in this week's survey.

Results

In the August 17, 2021, poll we wanted to know whether your flight school is hiring right now. Here are the results:

MARKETING

A newsletter for marketing and management

So you'd like to start your own newsletter, but you're just not sure how to get started. Ed Helmick has put together an easy-to-follow template with lots of ideas that will keep your customers engaged and draw new business to your flight school. READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

As Hurricane Ida roars up the coast, we hope your flight school is safely out of its path. If not, ensure all your airplanes are moved out of the path of the storm or at least hangared in well-constructed buildings. See additional resources from AOPA on tiedowns, how to ride out the storm, and other topics.

SAFETY

'There I Was…': Engine failure over the Pacific Ocean

In the summer of 2017, aviator Brian Lloyd began a solo round-the-world flight in his Mooney to commemorate Amelia Earhart's famous equatorial route 80 years prior. While on a flight leg from New Zealand to American Samoa, Lloyd experienced an engine failure over the Pacific Ocean. Find out what happened in Episode 37 of the AOPA Air Safety Institute podcast There I Was…

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax

Send Feedback | Unsubscribe | FSB Archive | Subscribe

Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising and Sales Specialist:
Donna Stoner

AOPA Advertising website