Flight School News eMonthly

FSANA NEWS

First FSANA AeroChapter Launched

Aviation history was made on April 23, 2015 when Mid Island Air Service in Ronkonkoma, New York became the first FSANA chartered "AeroChapter". Fourteen youth from the local community attended their first AeroChapter meeting.

Gail Mancuso, Vice President of Mid Island Air Services stated, "We were overwhelmed with joy at the strong turnout for the first meeting of our Mid Island Air Service AeroChapter. The AeroChapter program will become one of the best aviation and aerospace bridge programs in the history of civil aviation as more young people become engaged."

Chapter Advisors in attendance included Dan Brooks, Don Lawrence and Gail Mancuso. One of the first items on the agenda was the selection of chapter officers. Based on backgrounds and experience, the following youth members were announced as Interim Officers.

President: Dylan Diaz

Vice President: Tanner Asordorian

Secretary: Alyssa Ardizzone

Guest speakers included Nicholas D'Amato, who earned his private pilot certificate in 41 hours through the Eastern Sufolk Boces Program (trained by Mid Island Air). Nicholas has had the opportunity to fly with Al Cerullo who is involved with the movie industry.

Also speaking was Peter Stauffer, founder of the the local Coast Guard Aux flotilla who spoke about the Coast Guard and their mission. He told the audience about how young people at age 17 can become involved with the Coast Guard as observers.

The youth members decided to hold their monthly chapter meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month. Their programs committee will begin to plan for future speakers and activities.

"It is exciting to see the youth of America starting to engage with our newly launched AeroChapter program. The FSANA AeroChapter program will afford young people the opportunity to take on positions of leadership, improve and learn new skill sets and become engaged aviation and aerospace participants," noted Bob Rockmaker, FSANA President and CEO.

FSANA congratulates the Mid Island Air organization for stepping up and leading the way with this new and exciting program.

Organizations interested in establishing an AeroChapter should contact Debbie Sparks, FSANA Director of Business Development at 561-767-6826 or [email protected].

FSANA NEWS

SUN 'n FUN Recap for FSANA

FSANA exhibited at this years Sun 'n Fun event in Lakeland Florida. Activity at the FSANA booth was active and many new friends were made during the event. Both existing FSANA members and many soon to be members stopped to talk about a myriad of topics, all of which included some connection to flight training, FSANA and civil aviation.

One of this years highlights was having the opportunity to speak directly with the younger generation who stopped by to learn more about FSANA and the new "Youth" membership category. Many young people were interested in learning more about the "Youth" membership and how they could become involved with an "AeroChapter".

FSANA NEWS

FSANA Youth Memberships Now Available

The FSANA youth membership category was launched at the 2015 SUN 'n FUN. For the first time, young people in grades 6-12 can become FSANA youth members. Youth members will receive a variety of benefits which will include a dedicated E News along with various supporting benefits.

Click Here for a Youth Membership Application.

FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS

Morristown Airport Opens "Solo Deck"

The Morristown New Jersey Airport recently opened its new "Solo Deck," a place that instructors can use to view students in the pattern at the airport. Noting that there are no landing fees associated with using the solo deck and that pilots accessing the Signature Aviation ramp at the Morristown airport to use the "Solo Deck" will have ramp fees waived by Signature Flight Support, the deck is being made available for instructors who want to watch their students conduct solo flights from a viewpoint that will allow them see the entire traffic pattern.

FSANA applauds this effort and would love to see more airports across the country submit their examples of such facilities or endeavor to develop similar facilities at their airports.

Here are a couple pictures they shared with us.

Flight School Business

Connecting Flight Schools and Economic Development Agencies

Flight school owners are beginning to think of their businesses as economic engines which help create family sustaining jobs. Across the United States, flight schools are starting to engage with both their local and state economic development agencies (EDA). It is important for flight training providers to bring attention to the positive economic impact that their businesses have at both the local and state levels.

When considering the economic impact, it is important for flight training providers to understand the mission of economic development organizations which

includes:

Attracting new business to communities
Retaining existing businesses
Assist in expansion of existing businesses
Creating job training initiatives
Providing grants and low interest loans for equipment

Flight training providers should actively work to engage with economic development agencies at both the local and state levels. FSANA recommends that flight training providers take the following steps to become better acquainted with their local economic development agency (EDA).

Invite staff from both your local and state EDA's to tour your operation
Take the EDA staff for a flight around the local area
Host a lunch at your facility and showcase what you do
Inquire about the type of economic development programs that are offered
Determine if there are job creation grant programs available
Determine if flight training aircraft and related equipment is eligible for low interest equipment and/or machinery loans
Help your EDA to understand the economic impact your business has - the jobs it creates and sustains and how this affects families in the community, many of these jobs at greater wage levels than retail sector jobs
Invite your State representatives to visit your flight school

FSANA PROGRAMS UPDATE AeroCamp

The Perfect Pairing - Summer and AeroCamp

FSANA members are gearing up for the start of AeroCamp's most popular season of the year. Summer is beginning in many locations and flight schools still have time to plan and promote AeroCamp programs at their facilities for this summer.

AeroCamp is a great way for flight schools to attract new customers and create an additional profit stream. The AeroCamp program continues to grow as more school owners and managers realize the short- and long-term benefits of the program. Some FSANA members have already started to operate AeroCamp year round.

To get started, contact Debbie Sparks, Director of Business Development at [email protected] or 561-767-6826 to learn how you can operate AeroCamp this year. FSANA members are also enjoying benefits of national promotion of AeroCamp in 2015.

FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS

Florida's Sunrise Flight Academy Appoints New Director of Student Affairs

Ormond Beach, Florida - Sunrise Flight Academy, located at Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, recently named Mark Barker as Director of Student Affairs. In his new role Director Barker will coordinate services for international and domestic students enrolled in Sunrise Flight Academy's comprehensive Professional Pilot Program.

His responsibilities include student orientation, academic counseling and mentoring, policy development and analysis of student development programs.

Prior to joining Sunrise Flight Academy, Mr. Barker served 31-years with the City of Holly Hill, Florida Police Department where he retired as Chief of Police in 2014. He is a 1996 graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy. In addition, Barker is an experienced Commercial pilot with both Instrument and Flight Instructor ratings.

Devon Dorato, President of Sunrise Aviation, commented: "Mark brings a wealth of life experience and leadership talent; and his ability to give a fresh perspective and develop quality partnerships is proving to be a tremendous asset to our organization - and our students."
A division of Sunrise Aviation, Sunrise Flight Academy has continuously trained professional pilots for airlines worldwide since 1983. Sunrise graduates now fly for domestic and international air carriers, cargo and charter companies throughout the world.

The academy has training facilities in both Ormond Beach and Jacksonville, Florida, where they offer accredited degree programs in Professional Pilot Technology through Florida State College at Jacksonville.

"Sunrise's approach to pilot training is exceptionally student-centric, customized to either the student's need or to an international aviation authority's requirements." Barker said. "I find it incredibly rewarding to have a role in passing on the skill and joy of flight to the next generation of professional aviators."

For more information about Sunrise Flight Academy, visit www.flysunrise.com.

FLIGHT SCHOOL BUSINESS

North Coast Flight School
Seeking CFI-I in Erie, PA

CFI-I needed for an active flight school in Erie, PA. If you or anyone you know is interested in pursuing an opportunity to work at this active FSANA member school, contact Greg at [email protected] or call (814) 434-0875.

Click here for more information about North Coast Flight School.

FSANA INFORMATION

FSANA Money-Back Guarantee

FSANA continues to create value for its members. Programs like AeroCamp are helping flight schools to create new revenue centers and attract customers, many who continue on to earn their first pilot certificate. New programs are in the works that will be announced very soon that flight schools to expand these efforts.

FSANA offers flight schools a money-back guarantee on their membership dues investment if the school operates at least one FSANA Aero program and does not generate enough profit to cover the cost of membership. Members are required to demonstrate that they have followed the FSANA program guidelines contained in the members-only toolkit associated with each program.

If you have not already looked into conducting our Aero programs at your flight school, now is the time. You can not loose!

FSANA INFORMATION

Becoming a FSANA "Partner"

FSANA is a growing association that represents the interests of flight training providers. The membership is a group of motivated and successful business operations that provide flight training across the country. If your company or a company you know would be interested in joining the team of support that FSANA is building for its efforts, it is time to become a "Partner."

Core platforms of FSANA include:

Helping flight training businesses operate successfully and profitably;
Increasing the pilot population;
Working with other aviation and aerospace industry associations and companies to promote quality flight training pipeline development;
Providing programs and services that will assist FSANA members to better serve their customers and local communities;
Promoting best practices in the flight training community;
Reducing the general aviation incident and accident rates;
Engaging both youth and adults to explore aviation and aerospace.

Becoming a FSANA "Partner" offers year round brand exposure for your organization in both print and electronic platforms in multiple channels.

To learn how to become a FSANA "Partner" please contact Debbie Sparks, Director of Business Development at [email protected] or 561-767-6826.

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TRAINING NEWS LINKS

Airbus, FlightSafety International's U.S. Partnership to Help Address Future Commercial Pilot Shortage

Aviation Flight Training Scholarship Available

Aerosim Flight Academy Awarded $100,000 in Economic Development Funds to Hire Certified Flight Instructors

Brown Aviation Lease Partners with University of Dubuque to Upgrade Flight Training Aircraft

Cessna Partners With Ohio State on Flight Training

NTSB Releases Video Safety Alert on Importance of Preflight Checks to Catch Flight Control Problems

Jeppesen To Supply Pilot Training Materials for Purdue

Regional Air Carriers Try to Weaken Rules for Pilots (According
to the Buffalo News)

The Discount Introductory Flight Trap - AOPA Flight School Business

Auburn University Emerges as Nations First UAS Flight School

NTSB Alerts Focus on Transition Training, Mountain Flying

Airbus Official Urges Major Pilot Training Changes

United Airlines Boosting Training for Closer Pilot Teamwork

Parkland College
Offers Flight Training & AA Degree Program

Started on a Shoestring - AOPA Flight School Business

Inviting the Best

Aircraft Operators

in the Business to

Join Our Network.

Click here for
more information!

UPCOMING EVENTS

2016 FSANA International Flight School Operators Conference

More information to be announced.

Flight Training

Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.

More information to be announced.

U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE

Find Your U.S. Congressman

Find Your U.S. Senator

U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee

U.S. Senate Aviation Subcommittee

US Senate Education Committee

US House Committee on Education and the Workforce

Click on images to download sample Aero program brochures

Established in 2009, the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) is the first and only association of its kind dedicated solely to the flight training industry. FSANA represents flight schools, firms that provide products and services to the flight training or aviation industry, and other supporting partners.

FSANA MISSION: The Mission of the Flight School Association is to work in alliance with the aviation and aerospace industry; to serve and foster the flight training industry; to provide programs and services that will enhance the ability of flight schools to serve their customers and communities; and to promote best business practices which will help flight schools and their industry thrive and increase the pilot population.

fsana.com | 610-791-4359 | [email protected]