December 06 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 12-ISSUE 25-December 6, 2022

TRAINING TRENDS

Flight School Spotlight: Centennial Aviation Academy

What started as a flying club has evolved into a small flight school and now has a six-month waiting list of primary students. But this busy Atlanta flying school is focused not only on growth but also on looking out for the welfare of its flight instructors, by making sure they take lunch breaks and days off. And there’s a lot of focus on the operational side of the business, to make sure quality there matches the quality of the flight instruction. READ MORE ›

NEWS

Labor Department proposes redefining 'independent contractor'

The Labor Department has proposed rulemaking that would affect the status of many independent contractors, making them employees with more protections under federal law. The change would likely affect flight schools and other aviation operations that utilize independent contractors. The rule, proposed October 13, would repeal the current regulation that took effect in January 2021 and would largely reinstate the prior status quo with a few changes. While the comment period has closed, the final rule hasn’t taken effect and could take months to finalize, according to MSNBC.

FAA extending aircraft registration period

Aircraft owners will have more time to renew their aircraft registration now that the FAA has issued a new rule to extend the duration of certificates from three to seven years. The new rule takes effect January 23, 2023, and will apply to all aircraft currently registered under existing FAA regulations. READ MORE ›

Aircraft deliveries overpower headwinds

Aircraft manufacturers logged collective increases in shipments and revenue in every category during the first nine months of 2022, according to the latest figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Single-digit increases were reported across piston and turbine airplanes and helicopters. Airplane billing increased 4.8 percent to $14.1 billion, compared to the first three quarters of 2021. READ MORE ›

As aviation programs ramp up, so do noise complaints

The surge in pilot training in the last few years has been a boon for flight schools, but this growth does not come without notice. Middle Tennessee State University's Aviation School of Aerospace has been the subject of increasing numbers of noise complaints since enrollment ramped up from 300 to 900 students. And these are not all complaints from "Not in my backyard" airport neighbors. A farmer whose property 20 miles from the flight school's airport is now part of a practice area is claiming that he cannot go outside for 10 minutes without hearing noise, and that the airplanes flying overhead disturb his cattle, according to WSMV4 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The airport's director said that in response to the number of complaints, the airport decreased the window in which students can fly, and also encouraged them to fly to other airports for training, and that has had a positive impact

POLL

Knowledge test providers

Is your flight school a third-party provider of FAA knowledge tests? Tell us in this week's poll.

Results

In the November 22, 2022, issue, we wanted to know your flight school’s pass/fail rate for private pilots. Here are the results:

MARKETING

Would you say it to The Rock?

We were hoping to get through this year without having to remind flight schools and flight instructors not to make inappropriate comments (or texts) to customers. Some flight schools and CFIs apparently still need to hear this message. READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

Did you know you could earn financial incentives when you and your students use AOPA Flight Training Advantage? For a limited time, receive $250 after three students have each logged at least three lessons with AFTA. Receive $50 for each student who completes an initial pilot certificate using AFTA. Get all the details, terms, and conditions at AOPA Online. For information on how to request your incentives, email [email protected].

SAFETY

Pilot Short Story: 'Heavy Cost'

Shortly after earning his private pilot certificate as a senior in high school, Cody Goodan decided to take three friends flying in a Cessna 172. During a series of touch and goes, the combination of weight and pilot error resulted in disaster. Watch the short version of Goodan’s story as told to the AOPA Air Safety Institute on YouTube, or listen to the complete version on the “There I Was…” aviation podcast.

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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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