PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
The Business Culture of Flight Training Is Changing
I will always remember the day when a group of interested parties came to Atlantic Aviation in Philadelphia, PA on April 17, 2009, to hear what I had in mind. It was a humbling meeting and all in attendance agreed that the flight training industry needed work and that a dedicated trade association would be helpful.
There were many topics on the first agenda which everyone agreed were strong points of light. There was wonderful conversation about the culture of flight training in America. Culture is a strong driver in the world of business as well as our personal lives. Culture is the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular society, group, place or time. Culture is a driver of thinking and behavior.
Today, FSANA can see and feel the change in the flight training culture. Culture does not evolve quickly in most cases. There are exceptions such as Facebook which has been a huge driver of rapid culture change unlike anything the world has seen before. There are some that say we will have pilot-less commercial passenger aircraft. I feel we have much culture change to overcome before we will see that day. Of course, I will never say never.
In the past month, two of the largest flight training providers in America have become active members of FSANA. When they joined, they noted that they would like to help when and where needed. This is the culture that will help propel the industry to new heights.
Flight schools are now talking between themselves and sharing information. To observe small, medium and large schools interacting at our annual conference and continuing to dialogue throughout the year is an indicator that the culture is evolving.
Working together for the betterment of the flight training industry will help lift the industry to new heights. Co-operation and collaboration tends to always raise the ship versus isolationism. Each month, we help connect school owners, managers and chief flight instructors so that they can exchange information and share learning opportunities.
There is much work scope ahead of us and together with the help and support of our many wonderful flight school members, partners, a supportive supply chain and our government partners, we will continue to help advance and rebuild the pilot population by delivering consistent, innovative and focused programs for our members and the industry.
We are blessed in America with the most efficient and productive flight training system in the world. This system will continue to advance and create pilots who will be the managers in the cockpit for decades into the future. You have heard me say before, "we are pleased to work with the willing." We welcome and embrace all sizes of flight training providers and value each of our members and supporting partners.
Bob Rockmaker
President & CEO
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TRAINING NEWS
Forecasting ATP Pilot Certification Flows - Decreases Expected Based on Testing Trends
by Jason Blair
A couple of short years ago, the certification process for ATP pilots changed. We are all familiar with the reasons and what the changes were, but we are starting to see data that can help forecast some of the effects. In short, our ATP certification numbers are trending down and we can expect that it is going to continue.
If we look at the trends of ATP certificates issued on a yearly basis since 2002, we typically saw stability and correlation between the number of ATP knowledge tests and ATP pilot certificates issued on a yearly basis and in comparison with each test. This made logical sense that we would expect to see those who took ATP knowledge tests continue on to take ATP practical tests (resulting in ATP certificate issuances).
 Until 2014.
In 2014, when changes were made that would require potential ATP pilots to complete an ATP CTP course prior to being eligible to take even the ATP knowledge test, we saw a significant increase in ATP knowledge test administration as pilots took the test in an effort to avoid needing to take the ATP CTP course. After August 1 of 2014, pilots were no longer able to take the ATP knowledge test without taking the ATP CTP course, and we see an unprecedented drop in pilots who took ATP knowledge tests in the statistical data for 2015.
We have traditionally seen strong correlation between those who took knowledge tests and those who took practical tests, and after conversations with numerous examiners and providers of ATP training around the country, we can expect to see the same correlation in ATP Certificates issues in 2016 (although we will have to wait for another year to see this data).
The pilots who completed taking ATP knowledge tests in 2014 will need to complete their practical test prior to the expiration of their FAA knowledge tests (the ATP knowledge tests they took) on August 1, 2016. After this time, the knowledge test they took would no longer be valid for use in qualification for their ATP practical test.
The lead/lag of the knowledge test followed by practical test process indicates that we should expect a large increase in practical tests for certificates issued for ATP pilots prior to August 1, 2016, then it is expected that we will see a significant decrease after the August 1, 2016 date based on the low number of pilots who completed ATP knowledge tests during 2015 and the fact that those who took it earlier will no longer be eligible to take the test.
Over the next couple of years, it is highly likely that our industry is going to experience a significant decrease in the total number of ATP pilot certificates issued on a yearly basis compared to historical numbers. This decrease will directly affect the number of available pilots who will be able to be employed in airline pilot positions.
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FSANA PROGRAMS 
AeroCamps Becoming Increasingly Popular with Schools and Public
We expect 2016 will be the best year on record for the FSANA AeroCamp Program with more and more participating schools conducting AeroCamp sessions. Every year, more flight schools operate AeroCamp which in turn attracts more people to our nation's flight schools and airports.
To help spread the word, FSANA promotes the AeroCamp program and other FSANA-based programs in various media outlets. Between April - July 2016, the AeroCamp brand will reach an audience base of over 10,000,000 people. Recent ads have appeared in both USA Today and Plane & Pilot magazine.
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TRAINING NEWS
Sources of Aviation Law
by Jason Lorenzon esq. CFI, CFII, MEI
Although it has been a little under 15 years since the horrific day of 9/11, it has taken that long for our Government to implement our regulations concerning immigration. As I have mentioned before, the United States is the best country in the world to be trained as a pilot. Many flight schools offer flight training to international student. The myriad of rules concerning flight training of foreign nationals is daunting, complex and convoluted.
The reason for this myriad of rules is twelve out of the fifteen so called "Musclemen" of 9/11 led by Mohammad Atta, had immigration violations. These twelve had violations ranging from a visa, or entering with a visitor visa or working without authorization or going to a flight school without authorization. These violations are not criminal but rather civil in nature. Removal from the United States is usually appropriate, but that did not happen regarding the Musclemen of 9/11. In fact, several of the Musclemen with visa violations left and re-entered the United States. Before 9/11, many of our Government agencies such as the Legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs and Border Protection did not communicate with one another. This has changed. The other issue that has become abundantly clear during the last year, that all applications that are adjudicated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services have come under very close scrutiny by the examining officer and simple omissions or some issue within the application does not fit all of the regulatory requirements for a particular visa or immigration benefit.
Some of my colleagues have stated that this is largely due to the anti-immigration sentiment in our country. However, from my observation, that is not the case. Our Government is "enforcing the laws" on the books. This approach is now largely one of the major steps in aviation security that will hopefully avert another 9/11. So when your foreign students are enrolled in your flight school, it is extremely important that files of foreign national students are kept orderly for inspection by the TSA. The student comports with the conditions of the I-20 and the student visa that permits the foreign national student to remain and study within the United States.
Jason Lorenzon holds the FAA Commercial License , Multi- Engine Instrument CFI, CFII, MEI Ratings. He is an attorney licensed to practice in Ohio and Florida. He is currently managing attorney of
Lorenzon LCC, Attorneys at Law and has offices in Cleveland, Ohio, Akron, Ohio and Orlando Florida. He is also on the faculty at Kent State University where he teaches Aviation Law and Aviation Security and Policy. He focuses his practice on Immigration and Aviation law. He can be reached at
lorenzolaw@gmail.com.
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TRAINING NEWS
Helicopter Research Study
Safety should never be under-appreciated, especially in the helicopter world. Here is a PhD dissertation research study in which we encourage you to participate. The purpose is to study the relationship between safety management systems, incidents and accidents, and company performance for small helicopter companies with less than 5 aircraft and your experience would have occurred in last 10 years. This research is in conjunction with safety efforts by the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team and the Helicopter Association International.
There are a series of questions regarding safety management systems, incidents and accidents, and company performance. To participate, you must be between age 21 to 60, and have had some aircrew experience with a small civil helicopter organization (less than 5 aircraft) in the United States some time in the last 10 years. Current helicopter student pilots can participate. Pilots are still eligible if they were employed, contracted, a guest pilot or otherwise helping in these small companies.
The survey takes less than 12 minutes to complete. The survey does not include any identifiable data about the crew member, places of employment, or OEM.
The principal investigator is Scott Burgess of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who is a doctoral student at Northcentral University. Please contact Scott at S.Burgess4793@email.ncu.edu to take the survey.
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TRAINING NEWS
FAA NPRM Offers Changes to Training Regulations
This past week the FAA issued a proposed rule that would make certain changes to pilot training requirements. Of most note is a potential change that would allow pilots in training to use TAA aircraft in lieu of Complex aircraft to meet requirements for commercial and CFI certificates.
FSANA will be reviewing this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Nprm) and encourages its members to also review the proposed changes and provide any pertinent feedback to FSANA or the FAA if the changes would affect how members provide training. The Nprm can be reviewed by clicking here.
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MEMBER NEWS
Edinboro University and North Coast Flight School Create Pilot Program
FSANA board member
Greg Hayes's flight school, North Coast Flight School in Erie, PA, is working to expand efforts to produce more pilots. The school, in partnership with Edinboro University's Porreco College, will be offering new commercial pilot training beginning this fall.
To learn more, visit AviationPros and their recent arcticle by
clicking here.
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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.
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 one or more of our Aero programs at your flight school, now is the time. You cannot loose!
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Be Recognized as a FSANA Supporting Partner
FSANA is a dynamic trade association that represents the interests of flight training providers. Our members are motivated and successful business operators that provide flight training in the United States and foreign countries. Your company, or a company you know, is encouraged to support FSANA in its achievements by becoming a "Partner."
FSANA's core platforms 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.
For their part, FSANA Partners receive year-round brand exposure in both print and electronic platforms in multiple channels and a host of other benefits.
To learn more, please contact
Debbie Sparks
, director of Business Development, at
dsparks@fsana.com
or
561-767-6826.
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FSANA News
Writers and Contributors Wanted for Youth Newsletter
FSANA invites interested writers to help support our Youth E News which focuses on all aspects of aviation and aerospace. The audience is young people in grades 6-12. If you enjoy writing and would like to become a contributor, please contact us.
Please send your contact information to info@fsana.com. Include Youth E-News in the subject line.
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FSANA PROGRAMS UPDATE
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
dsparks@fsana.com 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 2016.
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Flight School Seeking Investment Capital
An
established
and successful Part 61 and 141 flight school is seeking $1M-3M investment capital for new enterprise start-up. Qualified parties please call 863-327-6880.
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Flight School for Sale in Ohio
Interested in expanding your flight school or taking on a new location? How about buying a flight school for the first time? A flight training operation in Ohio may be the opportunity for which you are looking.
The operation is a successful flight training business with two owned aircraft and multiple leaseback aircraft, a large client base, a FBO business and maintenance services.
The operation has simulators and operates both FAR Part 61 and 141 training curricula, is SEVP approved, has VA approval, and operates a PSI testing center.
Interested parties should Contact John Bonfiglio CPA at 440-461-6227.
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We want feedback from the readers of this newsletter! Tell us what is important to you
as a school owner, manager or chief flight instructor. We will share comments received
in an upcoming edition of
Flight School News eMonthly
.
Send your thoughts to info@fsana.com.
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Inviting the Best
Aircraft Operators
in the Business to
Join Our Network.
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Click on images to download sample Aero program brochures
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