May 09 issue of Flight School Business

Flight School Business

VOL. 13-ISSUE 10-May 9, 2023

TRAINING TRENDS

Flight School Spotlight: Avier Flight School

What was intended to be a one-person, one-airplane flight school now operates eight airplanes and employs 20 instructors—and the owners of Avier Flight School in Beverly, Massachusetts, are always looking for ways to guide and nurture students. Their latest idea was to create a time-building program that saves clients thousands of dollars. READ MORE ›

NEWS

'Gustnado' recovery underway

The students, staff, and instructors at ATD Flight Systems are working to keep flying after the school's fleet was nearly wiped out on April 20, when gusts reaching 40 knots tore through the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) in Kansas City, Missouri. Two companies have stepped up to offer leaseback airplanes to the flight school. ATD Flight Systems hopes to be fully operational by July. READ MORE ›

House bill would create aviation workforce engine

Bipartisan legislation introduced April 26 would create a center to help the aviation and aerospace industries better collaborate on initiatives to ensure the nation is ready to meet its aviation needs through a well-trained and prepared workforce. The sponsors hope to attach the bill to the upcoming FAA reauthorization legislation. READ MORE ›

FSANA partners with pilot prescreening company

The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) has partnered with Symbiotics Ltd., a prescreening company, to offer the company’s services to its members. FSANA said the new program supports its vision for a new era in ab initio flight training. The ab initio dropout rate has been far too high for too many years, the association said, adding that prescreening applicants will create a safer and more efficient flight industry and save people and flight schools time and money.

ATP Flight School, United Airlines celebrate Aviate milestone

ATP Flight School and United Airlines announced that their partnership in United's Aviate program has produced more than 300 ATP participants. ATP students can interview with Aviate upon earning their private pilot certificate. Once accepted into the program, they receive a conditional job offer and can expect to begin working at the airline within five years. ATP joined the Aviate program in 2020 and has seen 200 of its graduates hired by United Express carriers, according to a press release.

Illinois flight school gives introductory flights to Chicago-area twins

Attalah James, age 13, dreams of becoming a pilot. Daniel Wirt, co-owner of WAir Aviation in Wheeling, Illinois, wants to see her achieve that goal. He offered Attalah and her twin sister, Shattalah, a free introductory flight. “If this is a career they want to pursue, there are ways for them to do it and I want to help them, at bare minimum point them in the right direction,” he told NBC 5 Chicago. Attalah rated the flight a “10 out of 10,” and said she is more inspired than ever to obtain her pilot certificate.

FAA loses another leader

The White House announced plans to name a new acting FAA administrator before the current acting administrator, Billy Nolen, departs the role this summer. The agency has been without a permanent leader since Stephen Dickson stepped down in 2022. Nolen announced his departure on April 21. President Biden's previous pick for the position withdrew from consideration after questions were raised regarding his qualifications and his connection to a corruption investigation in Los Angeles. READ MORE ›

POLL

Busy schedule

When is your "busy season"? Tell us in this week's poll.

Results

In the April 25, 2023, issue, we wanted to know whether your flight school has aircraft leasebacks. Here are the results.

MARKETING

Rusty Pilot reward

Sometimes we don’t know the impact we've made on a pilot until years after the fact. Ed Helmick shares a message from a formerly rusty pilot who is now flying for a regional airline. Could your flight school help someone return to the skies with the help of AOPA's Rusty Pilots program? READ MORE >

QUICK TIP

Is it time to expand your business? When considering whether to grow, your financial statements are an invaluable tool. Review current cash flows, projected revenues, and more to see if there is room to grow. See other business expansion tips in this article on Score.org.

SAFETY

ASI releases video examining black hole departure in Florida

A Piper Lance crashed in the Gulf of Mexico on April 5 with four people aboard. All four were killed in the accident, which took place during night VFR conditions. The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s new video examines the factors that may have played a role in the accident. The weather was VFR with 10 miles’ visibility, calm winds, and a clear sky and a full moon when the Lance took off over dark water with no discernable horizon. View Early Analysis: Black Hole Departure—Venice, Florida, online.

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Flight School Business Editor: Jill W. Tallman	Production Specialist: Sylvia Horne	Advertising and Sales Specialist: Donna Stoner AOPA Advertising website
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