FSANA NEWS
 Meet Afton Kurek --- FSANA's Youth Envoy
Meet Afton Kurek, FSANA's first Youth Envoy. We met Afton and her mother, Sharmin, in March at the Women In Aviation event in Orlando, Florida and were won over by her enthusiasm, determination and deep passion to fly. Minutes into our conversation with Afton, we knew then and there that she was the perfect candidate for FSANA's Youth Envoy - a winning personality representative of all America's youth desiring to fly an aircraft and/or become engaged with the
Aerospace industry.
FSANA has already recognized the importance of the younger population to the aviation sector with its AeroCamp, AeroParty and AeroChapters programs. These FSANA programs have proved to be excellent entry points for our youth to get on airport property, enjoy the fellowship of a flight school environment, and enjoy flight regularly. In addition, our campers and young members get insight into aviation operations and the diverse employment opportunities on the ground.
With the need for pilots is ever increasing, FSANA Aero programs are instrumental in getting young people involved and are a win-win for flight schools. AeroCampers and Chapter members, along with their parents, often become flight students. Many of those same students have become CFIs and beyond.
At a recent career fair held in Lakeland, Florida, the Kureks agreed to join us to take part in the festivities. Little did Afton know that she was about to experience a "first" at the young age of ten. At the conclusion of the Lakeland career fair, John Amundsen, chief instructor for International Aero Academy (IAA) fired up a Cessna 172 and asked Afton if she would like to fly. To Afton's amazement, John opened the left door, buckled her up, and off they went.
One of the most intriguing facts we learned from Afton and Sharmin was that they had recently approached a number of flight schools in their area about the possibilities of Afton taking a few flight lessons. Not a single one of those schools showed any interest in taking the girl on as a student. However, during the Lakeland career fair, Steve Markhoff, president and CEO of IAA - a FSANA member school - was pleased to invite Afton and her family to take flying lessons at his school any time. What contrasting mindsets between schools arise when being confronted with the youth component.
We look forward to Afton and her parents' participation in bringing awareness of aviation to other kids and parents in the U.S. and around the world. At the same time, their involvement will be a wakeup call to our own industry as to the importance of the youth factor. Stay tuned. As we follow her aviation path onto becoming a licensed pilot, FSANA Youth Envoy Afton Kurek will be inspiring up and coming aviators of all ages.
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TRAINING NEWS
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) Recommends Removal of Experience Requirement for CFIs to Train New CFIs
by Jason Blair
A recent recommendation of an FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) proposed that the FAA change long-standing requirements under FAR 61.195(h)(2)(iii) that a CFI must have been a CFI for more than 24 months before they are authorized to train a first-time instructor applicant. (For the full text of the current qualifications for training a first-time instructor applicant, click here).
The ARAC recommends that this requirement be changed to requiring that the CFI,
"Have held a flight instructor certificate for at least 24 months or has completed a FAA approved standardization course at a part 141 training school that provides instruction on the intricacies of training a flight instructor applicant."
The rationale for this recommendation is given as,
"The turnover of CFIs across the nation is tremendous and there are very few full-time/permanent CFIs. The flight instructor profession is a transient position for the vast majority of pilots on their way to fly jets professionally. As a result, instructors are moving fast to Regional Airlines; our turnover (and the turnover across the training industry) is approaching 90% annually. This turnover is severely limiting the number of flight instructors available that meet the requirement of 61.195. This regulation sets the requirements for an instructor pilot to train individuals in the CFI course. As of right now, we have about 40 students waiting to start their CFI training who cannot start due to the lack of hu
man resources that meet the requirements of 61.196 (and the backlog is growing)."
It is worth noting that, at this time, this is just a recommendation to the FAA. No official rulemaking has been made on this recommendation, but it is possible that it will be taken up in future rulemaking processes.
A further note is given that,
"A shortage of CFIs increases the training time of new flight students thus increasing the time it takes for new pilots to complete their flight training and ATP requirements. This delay further exacerbates the pilot shortage problem."
This recommendation seems to be a business consideration, not a quality of training consideration. It is highly focused on providing relief of this business concern that would only provide a remedy to part 141 FAA approved training providers, predominantly provided by university and collegiate training providers. This recommendation, without further modification, would not provide an opportunity for non-part 141 training providers to develop an equivalent CFI training curriculum that would allow those training providers to take advantage of potential staff that could provide initial CFI training who had not been CFIs for more than 24 calendar months.
The FAA regularly tasks FAA and Industry representatives with providing feedback to the regulatory process in our aviation industry. This particular recommendation is a part of a larger report back to the FAA that responded to a task that was given by the FAA that included potential changes to FAA pilot training requirements. Specifically, "the FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a new task to consider (1) recommendations on existing regulations that are good candidates for repeal, replacement, or modification and (2) recommendations on regulatory action identified in FAA's regulatory agenda." (The tasking can be found at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/FR-2017-04-28/2017-08564).
There is much discussion that should likely take place before any implementation or rulemaking on this recommendation. It is important for the industry to consider how this would affect the quality of training for CFIs and how it would affect different types of training providers and environments. A more global assessment is needed to consider whether the simple premise that is assumed, that CFIs are transitory, is in the best interest of safety and quality of training. Instead, perhaps the industry should be using this as an impetus to develop a business model wherein CFI jobs would be less transitional and more permanent, as a career goal that develops a core of professional permanent instructors who become highly competent and provide better, more efficient, and in the end, more cost-effective training to customers of flight training businesses.
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TRAINING NEWS
 International Aero Academy Takes Flight
--Company Completes Series A Financing to Fund Growth--
LAKELAND, FL - September 6, 2017 - International Aero Academy, Ltd. today announced it has
completed a Series A Preferred Stock financing with strategic industry investors.
IAA is a Lakeland, FL-based FAA-certificated ab initio and accelerated flight school with authority to issue foreign student visas for training. With a focus on training the next generation of domestic and foreign professional pilots, IAA has a growing fleet of Cessna and Piper single and multiengine aircraft, its own modern 12,000 square foot maintenance facility with dedicated maintenance professionals, and over 12,000 square feet of office, onsite dormitory housing for students and training space. IAA acquired the assets of Tailwheels, an FAA CFR 141 Certificated Flight School, in April 2017.
"During our due diligence to acquire an FAA-certificated flight school, Tailwheels became the obvious choice with an unparalleled record of success in accelerated and ab initio training, full service dedicated maintenance capabilities and an extremely supportive airport management team," said Steven Markhoff, President and CEO of IAA. Tailwheels was the obvious candidate from which to launch our strategic plan."
"Primary flight training remains one of the last segments of aviation that is not fully professionalized, and we are in the midst of the largest pilot shortage in modern history," said Gerald Gitner, Non-Executive Chairman. "We see an opportunity to bring our years of aviation experience to operate at the highest level of safety, regulatory compliance and efficiency coupled with a customer service-focused environment."
Mr. Markhoff previously served as General Counsel of several airlines, including ValuJet, Vice President of Acquisitions at Hawaiian Airlines, General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Kitty Hawk, Vice President of Travel Management of Caesars Entertainment and most recently led the FAA 121 certification of a regional airline.
Mr. Markhoff, with over 30 years of flying experience, holds Airline Transport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor ratings and is type rated in the Boeing 737. Mr. Gitner brings 50 years of aviation executive experience having served as Chairman and CEO of TWA, Vice Chairman and CFO of Pan Am, President of Texas Air, Chairman of Kitty Hawk and a co-founder of People Express. Mr. Gitner has also served on numerous public and private company Boards.
IAA is a leader in ab initio and accelerated flight training with a successful history of total immersion private pilots' courses, three-week instrument rating courses, two-week Certified Flight Instructor courses and a five-month private pilot through commercial multiengine rating course.
"Our strategic plan and vision is to simply be the best - the best training with industry leading pass rates and an unparalleled commitment to customer service and satisfaction," Mr. Markhoff stated. "Our reputation for these attributes is attracting those new to aviation, as well as numerous students who have already started their training at other flight schools and wish to enhance their training experience."
For more information contact:
Steven Markhoff
863-213-5267
or
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TRAINING NEWS
Updated AC61.65(G) Issued by FAA
The FAA has updated the Advisory Circular 61.65(G): Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors, effective August 25, 2017.
This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for pilot applicants, pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and examiners on the certification standards, knowledge test procedures, and other requirements in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61.
It is recommended that instructors and examiners familiarize themselves with changes to the document and utilize it during practical test preparation and administration.
To view the document, visit:
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TRAINING NEWS
FSANA Member and AeroCamp Provider Air-Mods in New Jersey Highlighted by AOPA
Air-Mods, a FSANA member school and promote of AeroCamp programs was recently highlighted in an AOPA Flight School Business article for their efforts in reaching out to the next generation of aviators.
Learn more about Air-Mods, visit the AOPA Story by clicking here.
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TRAINING NEWS
FSANA Ambassador Jessic Cox Visits Nepal to Share Inspiration
KATHMANDU: American national Jessica Cox, the world's first licenced differently abled pilot attended a program organised for people with disabilities at the BIA Foundation in Jorpati, Kathmandu, on Tuesday.
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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
, vice president, at
dsparks@fsana.com
or
561-767-6826.
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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.
Flight Instructor Sought
Flight instructor needed to head up innovative light sport flight school on the New Hampshire seacoast. Full time position with salary plus flight time.
Respond to 978-764-2988.
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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 Schools News eMonthly
.
Send your thoughts to info@fsana.com.
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