April 9 issue of Flight School Business
| VOL. 14-ISSUE 8-April 9, 2024 |
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TRAINING TRENDS
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| Missouri flight school kept teaching after gustnado |
| In April 2023, a gustnado hit Kansas City, Missouri, and virtually demolished ATD Flight Systems' entire aircraft fleet. One year later, the school is up and running with 17 flight instructors, 15 aircraft, and about 60 students. Read how ATD Flight Systems worked to stay open and how the Kansas City community rallied around the business. (Photo by Meagan Jackson) READ MORE › |
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NEWS
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| FAA publishes mental health recommendations |
| An FAA committee tasked with addressing barriers that prevent pilots from disclosing and seeking care for mental health issues has released its report. The committee made 24 recommendations, including creating a non-punitive pathway for disclosing mental health conditions and treatments. The report also recommended revising and evaluating the requirements for reporting and certification of psychotherapy. READ MORE ›
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| Icon Aircraft files for bankruptcy |
| Icon Aircraft petitioned for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 4. The company first delivered its amphibious light sport A5 in the summer of 2016. Since then it has delivered 209 aircraft through the end of 2023. Icon hopes to sell the business to new owners using a section of the federal bankruptcy code that could enable the buyer to take ownership free and clear of any liens. READ MORE ›
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| Van's Aircraft presents plan to climb out of bankruptcy |
| Van's Aircraft presented a federal bankruptcy court with a plan to reorganize the company over three years. Subject to court approval in May, the plan would allow Van's to continue building and selling current models as well as a new backcountry aircraft. READ MORE ›
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| California Aeronautical University adds Cessna Skyhawks to fleet |
| California Aeronautical University will purchase 15 Cessna Skyhawks from Textron Aviation, the university announced March 27. Deliveries are set to begin in 2027. The aircraft will be used at campuses in Bakersfield, San Diego, and Ventura, California; and Mesa, Arizona. CAU's existing fleet includes Cessna Skyhawks and Beechcraft Barons, the university said. CAU is a supporting sponsor of AOPA.
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POLL
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| Weather events |
| This issue's Training Trends focuses on a Missouri flight school that battled to stay in business after a gustnado demolished most of its fleet. Has your flight school's fleet ever been affected by a weather event such as a gustnado, tornado, flood, or hurricane? Tell us in this week's poll. |
| Results |
| In the March 26, 2024, issue, we wanted to know if you plan to attend the Sun 'n Fun International Aerospace Expo. Here are the results.
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MARKETING
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| What does your flight school look like? |
| A potential client is driving up to your door to check out your flight school. From the outside signage to the attitude of your front-office staff to your airplanes, what is that client going to experience when he or she walks through the door? Learn more from Ed Helmick on how to make the best first impression possible. READ MORE > |
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QUICK TIP
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| Does participating in the AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey bring any benefits to a flight school? Absolutely, says Felipe Santiago, director of operations at Aviator Zone Academy in Miami. The feedback from survey participants "points us in the right direction of where to focus our resources," he says. Learn more in this video from AOPA's You Can Fly. |
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SAFETY
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| Real Pilot Story: Trapped in the Hills |
| The allure of a familiar route can lead to a critical lapse in judgment and underscore the dangers of complacency in the cockpit. Pilots Arturo Guerra Perez Sr. and Art Jr. relied on their familiarity with the region's terrain, and despite intense mountain turbulence and a sinking ceiling, they aimed for the gap between a low overcast sky and the hills ahead. Find out what happened in the latest Real Pilot Story from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. View the video here. |
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