November 10 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 11-ISSUE 23-November 9, 2021

TRAINING TRENDS

Flight School Spotlight: In the Pattern

Other schools may have newer airplanes, a longer history, or lower prices, but owner Sherman Gardner said at In the Pattern, new clients will be joining a group of people who truly care about them. In the Pattern has been named the 2021 winner of AOPA's Flight Training Experience Award for Best Flight School in the Central Southwest region. Find out how this flight school scored top marks and an enthusiastic customer base. (Photography courtesy In The Pattern Flight School.) READ MORE ›

NEWS

FAA approves hundreds more engines to use unleaded gas

The FAA has approved hundreds of additional piston aircraft engine models to burn the 100-octane unleaded avgas developed by General Aviation Modifications Inc. An AOPA consultant said the move signals the agency's "bullish" approach to the eventual elimination of leaded aviation fuel. READ MORE ›

AOPA flight training scholarships open

It's that time of year again: The AOPA Foundation has opened the application window for numerous flight training scholarships. Applications will be accepted now through February 11, 2022. Scholarships are available in multiple categories, including primary (sport, recreational, and private pilot) certification, instrument rating, and aviation maintenance technician certification. Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $14,000. Up to 120 scholarships at $10,000 each are available for high school students and teachers to train for their private pilot certificate. READ MORE ›

South Carolina flight school adds Cirrus training designation

Stratos Aviation Flight School in Greenville, South Carolina, has earned the Cirrus Aircraft Training Center designation. The flight school has two Cirrus SR20s in its fleet and plans to add more, according to Stratos founder Dimitri Partafyllas. Stratos also offers a Piper PA–28 Warrior and a Cessna 172N.

Thrust Flight takes over former US Aviation facility in North Texas

Thrust Flight has begun training flight students at the former US Aviation facility at North Texas Regional Airport-Perrin Field (GYI) in Denison, Texas. US Aviation consolidated its training at its Denton, Texas, headquarters following the COVID-19 pandemic and a drop in enrollment among Chinese students, according to The Herald Democrat. Thrust Flight, headquartered in Addison, Texas, offers an ab initio program for airline career oriented pilots.

POLL

Location, location, location

How many locations does your flight school have? Tell us in this week's poll.

Results

In the October 26, 2021, poll, we wanted to know whether your flight school’s computer system is secure. Here are the results:

MARKETING

Shirt-tail legacy

Is it worth your effort to display mementos of your customers’ solos? Learn about this Virginia pilot’s quest to reunite solo shirt-tails with their owners 40 years after the fact and long after the flight school shut its doors, and see why it does matter. READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

E-commerce continues to be a strong trend for small businesses. 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

Go beyond the textbook and help clients understand aircraft systems

The more your customers understand aircraft systems, the better they'll treat your airplanes. Help them to become as knowledgeable as possible with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Aircraft Systems Safety Spotlight, a comprehensive review of piston engines, propellers, and pneumatic systems. Students will learn not only the basics of engine operation, but also leaning techniques, pneumatic system backups and redundancies, how to spot signs of pneumatic system failure, and more. Find these resources online.

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

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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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