February 15 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 12-ISSUE 4-February 15, 2022

TRAINING TRENDS

Embry-Riddle trims start to solo time by 30 percent

Virtual reality technology has proven to be successful at getting students to solo much sooner at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus. Students spend four weeks learning preflight, checklist, and flight school procedures in a virtual reality environment. Then, they spend every day flying. (Photo courtesy of Embry-Riddle/Ginger Pinholster). READ MORE ›

NEWS

Redbird returns from hibernation

The Redbird Migration flight training learning event returned from a two-year coronavirus pandemic hiatus to an in-person format packed with inspiration and motivation for 200 instructors, educators, and teaching professionals, with hundreds more watching online. AOPA announced the recipients of the 2021-2022 Flight Training Experience Awards at the event. Texas' In the Pattern was named top overall flight school, and Ambyr Peterson from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was named top overall flight instructor. READ MORE ›

Spirit Airlines, ATP Flight School announce partnership

Spirit Airlines and ATP Flight School have partnered to launch a new pipeline program for ATP's more than 2,000 qualified students and flight instructors, the company announced February 10. The Spirit Direct Program will enable participants to earn instrument, commercial, and flight instructor certificates during the first seven months of their training. As they progress to become ATP flight instructors they will build flight experience that could lead to a first officer position with Spirit, the flight school said.

AOPA supports changes to BasicMed

AOPA submitted comments on January 18 supporting the FAA's proposal to expand BasicMed for those who want to serve as safety pilots and to change medical certificate requirements for individuals completing medical flight tests. The FAA has proposed to allow pilots who operate under BasicMed to serve as a required pilot flight-crewmember when not acting as pilot in command, and to allow individuals to receive medical flight tests while not holding a medical certificate. READ MORE ›

Patty Wagstaff, Sporty's team up in tailwheel course

Airshow pilot Patty Wagstaff has teamed up with Sporty's Pilot Shop to produce a two-hour tailwheel training course. The 17-module online video course serves as an in-depth guide to the unique aspects of flying a taildragger—from preflight to mastering crosswind landings, and all the steps in between. READ MORE ›

March Flight School Connector will show you how to use a simulator to help your business

Want to use a flight simulator but not sure how to implement one in your flight school? Join AOPA's Chris Moser and Redbird Flight Simulations' Josh Harnagel on March 2 for the next You Can Fly Flight School Connector. Harnagel will share his expertise and experience on how you can utilize your simulator and engage your customers across all aspects and phases of training. The webinar will be held 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Register here. See prior episodes of Flight School Connector here.

POLL

Simulators

Do you have a flight simulator (of any type) at your flight school? Tell us in this week's poll.

Results

In the February 1, 2022, poll, we wanted to know how frequently you encounter upset customers at your flight school. Here are the results:

MARKETING

Changing a life for a day

Granting an "honorary pilot license" to a World War II veteran, and taking a homeless man aloft, are two flight schools' efforts to change someone's life—if only for a day. READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

Is it smart to start a small business in the wake of an international pandemic? Inc. says yes, so long as you are confident in your unique offering. From there, the basics for success include finding your niche, developing a digital platform, and networking—both online and in person. Read the entire article here.

SAFETY

'NTSB Insider: Accident Investigations Revealed'

In this in-depth webinar from the AOPA Air Safety Institute, go behind the scenes to find out how National Transportation Safety Board investigators collect the facts at the scene of an aviation accident that the board will use to determine the probable cause and make safety recommendations based on those findings. This is part one of a three-part series. View the webinar here.

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Flight School Business Editor:
Jill W. Tallman

Production Specialist:
Sylvia Horne

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Donna Stoner

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