December 21 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 11-ISSUE 26-December 21, 2021

TRAINING TRENDS

A look back

The news that affected flight schools

Flight schools, along with the rest of the aviation industry, spent much of 2021 digging out from under the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion package of bills on December 27, 2020, providing relief from the pandemic. Airports received $2 billion, of which $45 million was slated for general aviation airports. Meanwhile, aviation organizations pressed the FAA in January to continue to extend a special regulation issued in April 2020 to grant eligible pilots extra time to meet medical, currency, training, and testing deadlines. READ MORE ›

NEWS

Best of 2021: These are the stories that drew your attention in 2021

Flight School Spotlight: Smoketown Helicopters (April 1, 2021)

Ian J. Twombly's account of a Pennsylvania couple who used money saved from produce stand sales to start their flight school had the biggest number of hits among Flight School Business articles originally published in 2021. READ MORE ›

Dear Part 61 Flight School Owner (October 25, 2021)

Flight School Business Editor Jill W. Tallman called out an anonymous flight school over its questionable maintenance practices, which prompted a spirited discussion as to whether Part 61 schools were being unfairly singled out for this type of behavior. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: In the Pattern (November 8, 2021)

This Denton, Texas, flight school nabbed the 2021 Flight Training Experience Award for Best Flight School in the Central Southwest Region, and Ian J. Twombly illustrated how the school’s owner, a former youth pastor, started in aviation with an aviation rental and brokerage business. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: Air Trek North (September 13, 2021)

Successful flight school owners all seem to have a few things in common: They're not motivated by profit; they often have business backgrounds; and they run flight schools because they have a passion for teaching and seeing the next generation of pilots succeed. Air Trek North's Randy Schoephoerster fits this profile perfectly. READ MORE ›

Dear Flight School Owner (November 22, 2021)

In a follow-up to "Dear Part 61 Flight School," Elon Aviation Marketing Communications Manager Leigh Anne Whittle offered a more holistic view of why Part 61 and 141 flight schools should strive to work together toward the goal of producing safe, proficient pilots. READ MORE ›

Niche training markets to focus on for profitability (February 16, 2021)

Jason Blair offered flight schools strategies for providing niche training that doesn't involve purchasing extra equipment or aircraft. READ MORE ›

Flight School Spotlight: Chickasha Wings (August 2, 2021)

An Oklahoma pilot started a flight school at his local airport when he realized no one else was offering training in the area. The school he founded utilizes a more mature aircraft fleet and a modest office, but he draws customers from across the state and around the country by keeping prices down and focusing on great customer service. READ MORE >

Flight School Spotlight: Pacific Skies (October 11, 2021)

This Torrance, California, flight school puts solos toward the end of its private pilot curriculum—after cross-country flying, short- and soft-field takeoffs and landings, and all the other flight maneuvers. It’s been a resounding success, the owner says; students are more confident because they have more extensive training. READ MORE >

Flight School Spotlight: Premier Flight Center (February 1, 2021)

Flight schools don’t usually get highly involved with community outreach, because it can be expensive and the payback can be hard to quantify. Ian J. Twombly profiled Premier Flight Center in Hartford, Connecticut, an exception to the rule because the owner believes in helping his community and educating people about flying. READ MORE >

Looking ahead into 2021 (January 4, 2021)

After a bruising year of pandemic-related shutdowns, flight schools weren’t sure what to expect from the new year. Jill W. Tallman offered a crystal-ball look into policies, procedures, and practices (like sterilizing airplanes) that were anticipated to stick around well into 2021. READ MORE >

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

Advertising and Sales Specialist:
Donna Stoner

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