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September 22, 2022
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
The Pilot Pipeline and DPEs
FSANA began to explore and lead an industry wide working group on the airmen practical testing segment over four years ago. With the support of the FAA, the training industry experienced an allowance of geographical expansion enabling DPEs to perform their professional duties anywhere in the United States. Multiple other administrative policy changes have also been made that enhance the efficiency of DPE service provision through FAA and industry collaboration. Progress is being made.

With the increased demand for pilots, FSANA is committed to ongoing system improvements in the airman practical test segment. This includes expanding the timely availability for candidates to secure timely check rides and the rollout of a DPE appeals process for DPEs who have been terminated by the FAA.

FSANA worked closely with the FAA and former Designee Program Branch Manager Jay Kitchens to bring about positive enhancements to the system. We continue to work with staff at the FAA who have continued his work.

Over the past few months, FSANA has been receiving inputs from the industry about airmen testing issues which are creating slowdowns in the pilot certification pipeline. We know that the training sector of aviation is experiencing record pressures from customers needing service, flight instructor staff turnover as airlines hire actively, supply chain challenges to keep their aircraft assets operational, and increased costs on everything from insurance costs to fuel. Given the challenges facing our nation and the pilot supply, constrictions and barriers need to be identified and resolved in a timely manner.

The above topics along with airman mental health will be some of the topics we cover in the upcoming DPE Symposium in Phoenix, AZ. FSANA fully supports the FAA on maintaining a quality airmen practical test platform. This includes applying consistent standards for both airman practical tests and the DPE's who are entrusted to create our nation's pilots. There are certainly challenges, and we hear the concerns of our members. We are hopeful that many will choose to join us in addressing and providing collaborate solutions to improve our overall safety and efficiency in the certification of pilots in our system.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
2nd Annual DPE Symposium - Phoenix, Arizona, October 11-12, 2022
The second annual DPE Symposium kicks off in a few weeks. As discussion about DPEs, how many there are, how they provide their services, and how the FAA oversees this resource heat up in the aviation training sector, the timing is uniquely aligned with FSANA's second DPE symposium.

With speakers including FAA staff, senior DPEs, and representatives from the aviation training sector, this symposium will bring together important participants in the FAA training process.

The symposium takes place on October 11 and 12, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona.


If you are a DPE or want to become a DPE and haven't yet made plans to attend, now is the time to do it.


A special booking rate will be available until October 1, 2022.

A synopsis of the event schedule is listed below. Registration will open next week. More detailed information on the session topics and presenters will be available in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

9:00am Registration Opens

10:00am Plans of Action Workshop – Details, Development, Content,
Management - Session for any DPEs wanting to share and work with their plans of
action content.

10:00am How to Become a DPE - Session for anyone interested in becoming a DPE that precedes the main symposium content.

1:00pm - 5pm Symposium sessions

5:30pm Dinner

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

8:00am Registration Opens

9:00am Opening Remarks

9:30am - 5pm Symposium Sessions

5:00pm    Closing Remarks & Adjournment

Start making your reservations and plans now to join this unique and industry-leading symposium for DPEs and flight training providers engaged with the practical testing process in the United States
Registration Open for FSANA 2023 Annual Conference, Trade Show and Accreditation Seminar
Registration is open for the 2023 FSANA 14th Annual International Flight School Operators Conference and Trade Show. The conference is returning to the Rosen Plaza in Orlando, Florida, March 1-3, 2023.


This year's program content is going to include updates from federal agencies, discussions of ADA Compliance and Behavioral Health Matters for flight training providers, information on Supply Chain and Aircraft Maintenance Challenges and Solutions, updates from Airlines on hiring and recruiting practices, and much more. Breakout sessions throughout the conference allow attendees to pick content most relevant to their needs and concerns.

View the conference program by clicking here.

Accreditation Seminar

FSANA is pleased to announce the start of the first Flight school Accreditation Seminar which will debut one day before the start of the annual conference. Flight schools that have interest in being able to enroll students who have borrowed money from the United States Department of Education will definitely want to attend this one-day event.

FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FSANA 2023 Conference and Trade Show Sponsor/Exhibitor Opportunities Open
FSANA has opened registration for flight training supply chain providers to participate in the 2023 FSANA Conference and Trade Show scheduled for Orlando, Florida, March 1-3, 2023.

The supply chain plays a key part in the flight training process and attendees gain valuable insights and knowledge transfer from the many suppliers that exhibit and join panels. to learn and discuss the latest in the world of flight training.

View sponsor/exhibitor opportunities here.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FAA Denies Republic Airways Request for Deviation from ATP Minimum Requirements
Not long ago, FSANA highlighted and officially opposed a request from Republic Airways to allow deviation from ATP pilot experience requirements that would only apply to their training program (at their Indiana-based program). FSANA offered comments to the request that have been included in the FAA's denial for deviation for Republic Airways.

"It is important that standards remain consistent through all training providers and keep safety in mind," said FSANA President & CEO, Robert Rockmaker. "We consider the FAA's decision on this matter to be one that keeps consistency in training providers, safety, and the structure of our aviation training system."

FSANA knows that member schools are dedicated to providing quality training that helps fill professional pilot workforce needs. Doing this can be done with efficiency, but the answer is not to just reduce standards when times get tough. FSANA appreciates the FAA's recognition of this fact.

You can read the full decision from the FAA by clicking here.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Flight Training Security/Advanced Deposits
FSANA has been receiving phone calls from customers who have been having serious issues with securing refunds on large advanced deposits at some flight training providers across the United States. Advanced deposits can help lower the cost to the customer due to discounts being offered. Customers need to be aware that some schools may deploy tactics to make profit while not providing the services.

FSANA attempted to speak with the owner and/or senior management at several schools over the past 120 days. Not one school returned a call to the FSANA office.

The California State legislature passed legislation a few years ago limiting the maximum amount of deposit that flight schools may accept in that State.

Flight schools that are not honest and transparent with quality "Best Practices" will do more harm than good and will impact the flight training space for all participants. Customers should not have to lawyer up in order to recover $50K-$80K.

As the demand for flight training remains strong and grows, in some cases it brings out bad actors that make the rest of the industry look bad. FSANA continues to monitor concerns in this topic area and encourages anyone who encounters problems in this area to contact FSANA and share information.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
GAO Report Says FAA Should Strengthen Efforts to Address the Illegal Practice of Intentionally Aiming Lasers at Aircraft
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recently issued a report indicating that the FAA should strengthen efforts to address the illegal practice of intentionally aiming lasers at aircraft. The GAO notes that “aiming a laser at an aircraft can disorient pilots and is a federal crime.” The report highlights that in recent years laser incidents have been increasing.

In some data points, the GAO noted that in 2010 there were approximately 2776 incidents reported and that that number has increased to 9723 as of 2021.
The adverse effects of lasers on the cockpits of aircraft are considered by the FAA to constitute an in-flight emergency. Effects can include pain and visual effects and loss of ability to view outside the cockpit safely. A definite safety concern is present when cockpit visibility is infringed.

FSANA is hoping that the flight training community will be aware of this concern and report any problems when they are encountered. Reporting can in many cases be don’t directly to ATC when it happens. Flight training operators often operate at lower altitudes and in traffic pattern areas where the aircraft are more susceptible to laser pointing at the aircraft. In a flight training environment, this can certainly be a safety concern.

A challenge of the concern over laser illumination of aircraft is the education of non-aviation-involved community members. As flight training operators do encounter the general public, it might be helpful to spread awareness within local communities of the danger of laser illumination of aircraft flight decks.

To see the full GAO report, visit: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104664
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
ASA Releases New Edition of "The Pilot's Manual Ground School"
The Pilot's Manual Ground School covers all the required knowledge tested on the private and commercial FAA Knowledge Exams and the oral portion of the practical exams (checkride). With text supported by hundreds of full-color images, students will gain a detailed understanding of complicated topics such as airplane and airport operations, regulations, human physiology in flight, reading charts, navigation and airspace, operational weather factors, flight planning, and more. This new sixth edition has been updated to include advances in aviation fuel, battery technology, and improved weather services available to pilots.

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ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY

































DPEs Available to Travel
FSANA has been collecting DPE names who have expressed a willingness to travel to help flight training providers secure practical tests.

An up-to-date List of Travel-Willing DPEs with contact information is available on the FSANA website. If you are a flight training provider who is finding a challenge of scheduling DPEs in your local area, feel free to reach out to these individuals. They may be able to serve some of your local testing needs.

While this effort is being made in general, it is even more relevant as many DPEs self-selected to delay a return to providing practical tests during this period of COVID-19 uncertainties.

If you are a DPE who is not on this list but would like to be, please let FSANA know by emailing us at info@fsana.com with your name, city, state, email and phone number and we will add you.
GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY
Have feedback concerns about FAA practical tests? Email inquiries here
Practical Test Feedback
Email Feedback Concerns about FAA Practical Tests to:

Classifieds
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READER FEEDBACK
Tell us what is important to you as a school owner, manager or chief flight instructor. We will share comments in an upcoming edition of Flight Training News. Send your thoughts to info@fsana.com.
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2021 BRONZE CONFERENCE SPONSOR
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.

The Mission of the Flight School Association is to support, promote and advocate for the business of flight training; to provide knowledge, programs and services that help its members thrive and better serve their customers and communities; to foster best business practices; to educate and inspire youth; to increase the global pilot population; to improve general aviation safety; and to work in alliance with the aviation and aerospace industry.

fsana.com / 610-791-4359 / bob@fsana.com