August 30 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 12-ISSUE 18-August 30, 2022

TRAINING TRENDS

5 advantages to the AOPA Flight Training Advantage platform

AOPA's adaptive flight training platform can help flight schools, CFIs, and students train more effectively. Here are five ways the AOPA Flight Training Advantage platform can help make flight training more efficient, and improve results for all involved. (Photo by Nikki Britton) READ MORE ›

NEWS

ASI introduces Companion Copilot video series

The AOPA Air Safety Institute has introduced a new five-part video series that provides frequent general aviation passengers—who are not pilots—an opportunity to learn more about how they can pinch hit and help their pilot during flight. The series covers preflight tasks, simple aerodynamic concepts, navigation and communication considerations, checklist use, and emergency procedures. Nonpilot passengers will learn how they can help using fundamental concepts reviewed in the videos. READ MORE ›

FSANA seeks data on regional checkride rates

The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) is collecting data on designated pilot examiner and checkride costs and how they vary by region. You can help by completing FSANA's online survey at this link. In January 2018 and 2020, FSANA conducted surveys on pricing for FAA practical tests around the country. Since then, there have been some changes in the FAA practical testing process, and FSANA is repeating the survey to determine whether those changes have had any impact on pricing of practical tests, the association said. "We ask that all flight training providers instructors, and students complete this survey and relate recent experience with respect to the pricing of tests," FSANA said.

New aircraft demand remains 'robust'

Kinks remain in the supply chain and a shortage of skilled workers persists, but demand for general aviation aircraft led to many double-digit increases in shipment and billing tallies for the first half of 2022. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association's quarterly release on August 24 of aircraft shipment and billing data reported by member companies marks a continuation of an upward trend that provoked enthusiasm earlier this year when GAMA released totals for 2021 that included $25.2 billion in annual aircraft billing, up 10.2 percent from 2020. READ MORE ›

National Flight Simulator adds Redbird FMX simulator

National Flight Simulator has added a Redbird FMX full-motion simulator to its simulator-based training facility at the Manchester Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire. The company's aviation training center provides both initial and recurrent training for pilots as well as private pilot, instrument, and CFI training. In addition to the Redbird FMX advanced aviation training device, the company also offers training in an Elite iGATE AATD and a FlyThisSim basic aviation training device. READ MORE ›

Civil Air Patrol gets SiriusXM across fleet

SiriusXM and the Civil Air Patrol have partnered to equip CAP's entire fleet with satellite-based aeronautical weather. Pilots flying with CAP will have access to features such as frequent updates on high-resolution composite radar, METARS, and TAFs, and other information that ADS-B does not provide. READ MORE ›

POLL

Rental insurance

Does your flight school require customers to carry rental insurance policies? Tell us in this week's poll.

Results

In the August 16, 2022, issue we wanted to know whether your airport has access to unleaded avgas. Here are the results:

MARKETING

Let your flight school tours tell a story

When customers come to your flight school, are they dazzled by a gleaming lobby and a shiny array of airplanes? Or do you make personal connections that stress the benefits of flight training? William Woodbury outlines two different types of tours. Which one would appeal to you? READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

Do you sell headsets? Rather than keeping them in a no-touch display in a glass case, you could emulate headset manufacturers at airshows by placing a pair where prospective buyers can try them on for size and comfort. Or, allow students to demo a pair during a flight lesson—a security deposit could be held while the headset is out of the office, which could then be applied toward the price of a new headset if the student decides to go ahead with the purchase.

SAFETY

ASI releases early analysis video on Watsonville midair collision

The AOPA Air Safety Institute released a new video from its Early Analysis series providing an initial examination of a midair accident that occurred August 18 in Watsonville, California. A twin-engine Cessna 340A collided on final approach with a Cessna 152 at Watsonville Municipal Airport. All three occupants were killed. View the video online.

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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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