TRAINING NEWS
FAA Establishes Feedback Process for DPE/Practical Test Concerns
FSANA has been leading a group of industry representatives over the past year to help improve the ability of flight training providers to secure practical flight tests for the customers they train. In some parts of the U.S., long waits and inconsistent test administration have been reported. While every situation has two sides to a story, we want to know more and the FAA is interested in feedback from applicants and flight training providers regarding any concerns about the provision of FAA practical tests throughout the United States.
To gain more direct feedback, the FAA has established an email address to send any concerns, questions and/or positive feedback about the practical testing process and those that provide the tests. The email is as follows:
FSANA encourages applicants and flight training providers to use this address to directly contact the FAA at the national level to have any concerns addressed and reviewed. This is the first time in history that the FAA has created a customer centric feedback opportunity for the practical test segment of airmen testing. FSANA encourages everyone involved in the training process to utilize this new opportunity.
FSANA would appreciate being copied on your feedback for our continued efforts to help improve the practical airmen process. This can be sent to FSANA at
info@fsana.com. By cc'ing FSANA on any feedback that is sent to the FAA we will be able to help assist in providing feedback from the FAA to address any questions that arise.
|
|
 |
TRAINING NEWS
FSANA Begins to Explore China with Uniworld LLC
 FSANA is beginning to explore and get to know more about China. With 1.3 billion people, China represents a major new era in civil general aviation (GA). The Chinese Central Government has been slowly evolving GA. China's Central Government has been inserting itself in order to continue to move GA forward.
Today, the Central Government has a much deeper role in operations with China's State Air Traffic Control Commission (SATCC) along with the People's Liberation Army. There are over 400 new airports being built in China. There are currently around 200 airports located across China and approximately 33% are considered dual use (military and civilian).
During a press conference at EAA Air Venture last month at Oshkosh, Uniworld LLC, under the direction of Francis Chao, announced that Uniworld and FSANA would begin to collaborate on China and the GA flight training segment. A consortium based strategy will be matured as part of the development.
Bob Rockmaker, FSANA CEO, stated during the press conference that collaborating with China on the topic of flight training will be a welcome opportunity. Many Chinese already come to America to flight train and that will continue into the future. As time passes and China's GA segment matures, more and more flight training will be conducted in China.
FSANA estimates that China's GA pilot population could reach between 2.5M-3M people over the next 20 years. These numbers are staggering and represent a new era in GA like nothing since the Wright Brothers flew in December 1903.
Due to a limited number of airspace test zones, student pilots can not navigate more than 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from their home base. This makes cross country educational flight almost impossible due to the airspace restrictions.
Francis Chao has been working on GA in China for over 20 years and is well versed in China's government sector and has a deep understanding of GA.
|
|
 |
TRAINING NEWS
130 Aviation Associations say Modernize, Not Privatize, the ATC System in America
The proposed sale of Americas Air Traffic Control (ATC) system to a non-profit organization is like a corporate takeover and not privatization. The airlines will ultimately take control of the new organization.
The number one reason for air traffic delays is weather. Airline delays are caused by a lack of runways, gates and the need for larger airline aircraft in many U.S. markets. There is no equipment and/or management system which can control the weather at the current time.
Over 130 aviation associations agreed in July 2017 that the privatization of U.S. airspace was not in the best interest of civil, general aviation (GA). H.R. 2997
is still alive in the D.C. beltway and proponents will be hard at work after Congress returns from summer recess to get it across the finish line.
Click here to see the letter and the list of aviation associations/organizations that oppose the privatization of our nations airspace.
All indicators point that this is the largest trade association collaboration in the history of U.S. civil aviation. Hopefully, this matter will be put to rest once and for all in the Fall of 2017 and America's GA industry along with ATC modernization can move forward. The modernization of our nation's air traffic control system, which is the best and safest in the world, should remain a top priority for both Congress and the administration.
FSANA is deeply concerned that the cost of flight training will rise sharply if airspace privatization takes place. Some have said that GA will be exempted. History shows that even when a piece of legislation carves out specific segments from user fees, etc., it is only a matter of time until the legislators go back and amend the original language and recapture the missing pieces.
A website has been created to help inform all interested parties about this serious issue. Hear what Captain
Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger has to say:
ATCnotforsale.com.
Congressman
Todd Rokita from Indiana has created a document which also helps
|
|
TRAINING NEWS
Nashville Flight Training Finalizes Cooperative Educational Program with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
 |
|
|
Photo:
Jonathan Hester
First Officer
ExpressJet Airlines
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Graduate and former Nashville Flight
Training Instructor,
Chris Erlanson,
President Nashville Flight Training
Bill Gibbs
Director of Campus Outreach, Base Relations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Captain Joey Cook
Manager - Flight Operations Hiring and Recruitment, ExpressJet Airlines
Isaac Shrum
Director of Sales and Marketing Nashville Flight Training
|
NASHVILLE, TENN. June 19, 2017 - Nashville Flight Training (NFT) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide (ERAU-W) finalized an agreement offering NFT flight students an educational path to a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics degree while working to receive a pilot license. The educational program makes it possible for NFT students to complete training as fully licensed and rated commercial pilots with the aviation-related university degree necessary for a commercial pilot career in the airline industry.
"We are excited to finalize an agreement with Embry-Riddle for a cooperative education path for our flight students," said Chris Erlanson, Nashville Flight Training owner and president. "This program offers our students an opportunity to receive an Embry-Riddle education while working toward a pilot license at our school, preparing them to enter the aviation industry as commercial pilots."
The agreement comes at a good time, as various industry reports indicate the supply of qualified commercial pilots is not meeting the needs for pilots in the industry. This agreement will allow NFT pilots to start in their careers for a smaller airline and then move into the ranks of the major airlines.
"Embry-Riddle is delighted to join forces with Nashville Fight Training to provide a career pathway for ambitious men and women who want to learn to fly in the commercial aviation industry," said Michael Kosher, director of business development and enrollment at Embry-Riddle. "We are excited to be part of this initiative."
About Nashville Flight Training:
Established in 2010, Nashville Flight Training provides affordable flight instruction from award winning, FAA-certified instructors and offers state-of-the-art equipment. The flight training facility is based at the Nashville International Airport. For the last two years, Nashville Flight Training has been recognized for its high standard of accomplishment in flight training by the world's largest aviation association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The flight school was awarded a spot on the Flight Training Excellence Awards Honor Roll in 2015 and 2016, a title given to an elite list of flight schools from AOPA's annual flight training poll. Nashville Flight Training was also the launch partner school for the ExpressJet Airlines Preferred School Program offering aviation students career progression opportunities with ExpressJet Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW). For more information about Nashville Flight Training visit www.nashvilleflightraining.com.
About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a non-profit, independent institution offering more than 80 associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degree programs in its Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering, and Security & Intelligence. ERAU educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, FL and Prescott, AZ, and through the Worldwide Campus, which operates a globally recognized learning system that leverages online and face-to-face instruction and a network of education facilities designed to support student advancement in the United States and abroad. For more information about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University visit worldwide.erau.edu.
|
|
|
TRAINING NEWS
Draft AC on Use of Portable Devices Aboard Aircraft Available for Comment
The FAA has opened the AC for public comment that deals with use of portable devices in aircraft. This directly affects use of things like iPads and other EFB devices that many pilots, students, instructors, and flight training providers use in their every day operation.
This advisory circular (AC) provides aircraft owners, operators, and the public with information and guidance to comply with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, §91.21, which permits the use of specified portable electronic devices (PED).
For more information on the proposed changes or to comment, visit:
|
|
 |
TRAINING NEWS
King Schools Offers Cessna Pilot Centers a Part 141 Approvable Flight Instructor Course and Technology Upgrades
Pilots learning to fly at Textron Aviation authorized Cessna Pilot Centers are experiencing a new era of flight instruction with the now-paperless Cessna Pilot Center Training System developed by King Schools. "These learning pilots are enjoying the unparalleled accessibility provided by this web-based, study-anywhere program that can be loaded onto their iPads for offline study no matter how remote the location," says John King, Co-Chairman of King Schools.
Instructors can bring the course tracking application right into the cockpit on their iPads. A new app provides up-to-date student progress, lesson plans and tracking tools. Instructors can update the learning pilot's records, and even provide an FAA-compliant e-signature on their iPad app without ever having to leave the cockpit. The records are automatically synced with web servers the next time the iPad is connected to the Internet.
The Cessna Pilot Center Training System consists of an entire suite of Part 141 approvable courses from Private all the way through the just-released Certificated Flight Instructor course. "With the addition of the new CFI course, CPCs can offer a consistent, high-quality training experience for their customers from zero experience all the way to being able to earn money and build time as a Flight Instructor," commented Martha King, the other Co-Chairman of King Schools.
The Cessna Pilot Center Training System has evolved over a period of 20 years. In addition to the new iPad apps with offline capability, upgrades to the web applications include the utilization of HTML5, which allows pilots and instructors to use their favorite web browser on any device including PCs, Macs, or mobile devices.
Doug May, vice president of Piston Aircraft at Textron Aviation stated, "Both instructors and pilots will benefit greatly from this enhanced CFI course given its ability to track students electronically for Part 141 compliance."
About King Schools
For over 40 years, students and pilots at all levels have enjoyed King Schools´ clear, simple and fun courses. King Schools estimates that as many as 50% of the pilots flying in the U.S. today have at one time or another taken a course from King. The company is also a leader in on-line pilot certification and avionics training for pilots of high-performance and turbine aircraft.
King Schools
3840 Calle Fortunada
San Diego, CA 92123
KingSchools.com
(800) 854-1001 (858)-541-2200
|
|
 |
 |
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
HB 2997 Will Create Negative Impact for General Aviation and Training Providers
House Bill 2997, which is the U.S. House 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act, is moving ahead quickly. General aviation and the flight training industry faces user fees, airspace restrictions and a myriad of complications for decades to come.
Currently, America enjoys the worlds safest and most efficient air traffic control system.
HB 2997 threatens to change that model by creating a separate corporation which will basically function without oversight from Congress.
The U.S. general aviation industry has come together like never before to oppose HB 2997.
Lets modernize and not privatize our nations airspace.
Please contact your local U.S. Congressman right now. Ask them to vote "NO" on
HB 2997.
FSANA has made it easy for you. Call toll free 855-265-9002 to be directly connected by phone to the office of your local Congressman.
Tell your Congressman that you oppose HB 2997, the 21st Century AIRR Act which includes ATC privatization.
|
|
|
 |
TRAINING NEWS
 Western Michigan University Seeking Qualified and Motivated Instructors for Expansions in Florida and Michigan
Good professional flight instructor positions with a future are hard to come by, so when they do, we hope professional flight training minded industry instructors get a chance to know that the positions are open so they can apply.
Western Michigan University, a long standing and nationally recognized large collegiate flight training program, is expanding to a second site in Punta Gorda, Florida. WMU is also expanding operations at its home site in Battle Creek, MI. With this expansion comes a need to staff its ranks with professional CFIs to provide training services.
Currently, WMU is looking to fill both professional CFI and an Assistant Chief Flight Instructor position for this location.
|
|
 |
 |
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
, vice president, at
dsparks@fsana.com
or
561-767-6826.
|
|
|
Central Florida Airport Seeks Flight School
Private airport 2FA6 with 4,170 ft. long improved turf runway seeks flight school to locate onsite to provide flight instruction to local demand. New hangars being built, can buy or rent new hangar to operate. 2 miles from Florida Turnpike and 5 miles from
I-75 near Wildwood.
Airport one mile from growing area near The Villages adding 200 homes per month - great location for kids AeroCamp, many affluent grandparents to sponsor their grandkids.
|
|
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 Schools News eMonthly
.
Send your thoughts to info@fsana.com.
|
|
|
