www.freeflightsystems.com 

"Mandatory Equipage."

To anybody dealing with the challenges of running a flight school, those words are like a porcupine in a nudist colony -- you just want to maintain a safe distance. The Jan. 1, 2020, deadline for installing ADS-B seems far off and many of us as aircraft owners -- especially owners of training fleets -- think we can "deal with it later."

The problem with "later" -- aside from the risk of ending up on an installation waiting list near the deadline -- is that we're missing out on the immediate benefits and long-term value of installing ADS-B "sooner." It's surprisingly affordable and there's a return on the investment. Here's why:

1) Straightforward, low-cost installation: Most aircraft can keep their existing Mode A/C transponders. You only need a lightweight, remotely installed ADS-B certified WAAS GPS and an ADS-B transceiver. For example, FreeFlight Systems has a promotion until the end of 2014 for an integrated WAAS GPS and transceiver for $3,995. That includes a $350 WiFi option at no additional charge. A new Mode S transponder alone would cost at least that much.

2) Weather and Traffic Now: The transceiver satisfies ADS-B Out requirements and gives you TIS-B traffic and subscription-free FIS-B graphical weather. Weather and traffic can be displayed over WiFi on iPads which have become the GA device of choice. You can also show traffic on GNS 400/500 series units.

3) Apps: Think of the ADS-B infrastructure as a 4G data network and ADS-B equipped aircraft as smartphones. Weather and traffic are the first free apps. Other apps can use the real-time precision of ADS-B to let you see where your aircraft are, ensure that students are where they are authorized to be and enable post-flight analysis. That can also help with managing liability if your aircraft is involved in an incident.

4) Competitive Advantage: Your training fleet becomes state-of-the-art, training both new and existing pilots for the NextGen airspace transformation. That's not just marketing, it's true.

ADS-B is more than just an equipment mandate. It is a great opportunity for everyone in flight training to embrace the essential role they have always played in maintaining U.S. leadership in GA and in creating the future of aviation.

In an effort to help spread information about the work and efforts of FSANA members, FSANA is reaching beyond just our internal audience. This week FSANA launched a press release via PRWeb that was delivered to over 10,000 unique media contacts. The release featured the 2014 AeroCamp season, highlighting its benefits to youth involvement and education in aviation. To view the Press Release that was sent click here (PDF)

Additionally, the next issue of 

Flying Magazine will feature the graphic to the right as a part of our efforts to spread information not only about AeroCamps, but also to raise awareness of the efforts of member companies and the companies that support FSANA.

It is important to FSANA's mission to expand efforts to spread aviation awareness beyond just our internal aviation industry. We all know that we can't grow our industry by just talking to ourselves. FSANA is committed to get marketing efforts to places that will reach new potential participants in the aviation community.

Think about ways you can help us spread information about the importance of aviation beyond just the aero sector community.  

 

The following is Rachel's essay from her application for the Girls With Wings 2014 Advanced Training Scholarship. As an awardee of this scholarship, she has agreed to send us updates on her flight training, which will be posted here as they are received. Rachel had attended AeroCamp at North Coast Flight School in Erie, Pennsylvania.

At three years old, I told my parents I wanted to be a pilot. We don't have any pilots in our family and I had never been in an airplane. My family has no idea where this thought came from, when most other girls my age wanted to be ballerinas (I was in dance lessons at the time, too), or princesses. I'm positive they laughed and said "You can do whatever you want to do," because they continue to tell me that to this day.

At fifteen, I joined an aviation summer camp for kids [AeroCamp], and of course, I was the only girl. The instructor sat back and said, "You can take off now." I was terrified. I had never even been in a small airplane, let alone flown it! After that first takeoff, feeling the rush of power involved, controlling the plane in the air, I was hooked. We landed and I said, "Mom and Dad, I'm going to school to be a pilot."

And now I am. I am a pilot. Really and truly. I feel it with all of my heart. I earned my Certified Flight Instructors license this summer and have been teaching at school since. Girls with Wings is an amazing organization encouraging girls to take flight. At Purdue University, I am one out of five girls, in a class of 160. It saddens me that women of my generation are still not seeing the absolute joy of flying. If sharing my experiences and passion for aviation can help one girl believe in herself and take the chance, then I will be overjoyed. I know this is what I'm supposed to do with my life, why not help other brave women find their passion too?

At Purdue, I am involved with the Women's Air Race Classic. I noticed that a few GWW members are participating this year and I am so excited for them. I was the co-pilot last year for Purdue's Race Team and this year I am the Captain. The Air Race was one of the best experiences of my life. Meeting all of those wonderful women role models was the highlight of my experience. The race course itself was amazing, but the connections and friendships I made are the real reasons I can't wait to go back.

I have an internship with Boeing this summer in North Charleston, South Carolina. I am beyond excited because I get to see another facet of aviation. There is nothing better than being able to talk about airplanes with people who understand the feeling of flight. While I am there, I hope to get my CFII at CRAFT Flight School. They are located right next to the Boeing plant, which is absolutely perfect. I can work on my CFII on the weekends, or after work.

Going to school at Purdue is extremely expensive. I pay $40,000 a year for out-of-state tuition, plus flight fees, which range from $20,000 a year to $5,000 a year, and housing. All in all, I'm in a lot of debt and don't have enough money for extra licenses/ratings. I know, however, that having a CFII rating will help me shine against other applicants for CFI positions and airline jobs. It shows I'm willing to go the extra mile. With the new 1500-hour rule to get a job as a first officer, I know I'm going to need a lot more hours. If having a CFII helps me get a job as a flight instructor after school, then it is well worth it.

I have already completed the FAA Written portion of the rating, I teach students working on their Instrument Rating in the Cirrus SR20 AATDs at school, and I am taking a simulator course in our Phenom 100 Level D simulator. I am very used to instrument flying and believe I could pass a check ride with a short amount of training; I just need a little help getting there.

Being the only woman in most of my classes freshman year was a little intimidating. But not anymore. I am confident in my abilities and ready to take on the world. With GWW help, I can become an even better pilot and a better instructor for all of my students. I know I can be a good role model, because I have so many women to look up to. I would love to be that person for another girl, trying to find her place in the sky, too.

The Girls With Wings 2014 Scholarship Program includes the Advanced Training Scholarship, to help defray the cost of flight training lessons in pursuit of an Advanced Rating or Certificate such as instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, flight instructor certificate, instrument flight instructor certificate, multi-engine rating or multi-engine flight instructor certificate. This new scholarship award is in the amount of $1,000, funded by the generous donations from supporters of Girls With Wings, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

 

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 partner of DeCola & Lorenzon LCC, Attorneys at Law and has offices in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, and Orlando, Florida. He focuses his practice on immigration and aviation law. He can be reached at lorenzonlaw@gmail.com.