Special rates effective January 23-February 19

Regular rates go into effect after February 19

Register by February 19 to save $100 off registration. Members pay just $550 per person for our full 2-day conference, including all Preview Wednesday events.

The savings continue. Also get $100 off for EACH additional attendee from your group regardless of when you register.

We hope you've already received your 2021 registration booklet in the mail. If not, here is a PDF version (also available at fsana.com).

Aside from reminding everyone at our Orlando conference to be COVID smart (masks, social distancing), our host hotel, the Rosen Plaza, has gone to great lengths to assure everyone's safety at every turn.

Guests who prefer to phone in their reservations can call the hotel Reservation Center at 800-627-8258. The name of our group is listed as Flight School Conference. Callers may also use group code 65567.

Reservations can be made at our group rate until Friday, February 12. After that time, the group rate will be offered based on hotel availability.

Want to sponsor or exhibit at this year's conference? For more info:

2021 Sponsor/Exhibitor brochure (.pdf)

FSANA is always looking for some good news to share, and this past week we think we found some. In discussions with representatives from the TSA who work with flight training approvals, it appears currently that approval levels for foreign student loads are starting to return to more normalized levels as seen in pre-COVID-19 time time periods.

December 2020 saw new foreign flight training student applicants reach approximately 50% of their pre-COVID levels. January 2021 numbers appear to be heading toward 75% pre-COVID levels as compared with the same months one year ago.

In consideration of travel challenges for international students coming to the United States along with reductions in overall air travel need, this is a positive sign that foreign cadets are again being moved into training pipelines in preparation to continue filling the need for future global pilot employment.

The TSA shared with FSANA that the top ten countries from which students are coming to the United States for flight training include:

2019 – 39,600+ candidates registered with the AFSP for STAs for initial pilot training through professional type-rated and recurrent training events.

Top ten countries (by citizenship) in 2019:

2020 – 32,600+ candidates registered with the AFSP for STAs for initial pilot training through professional type-rated and recurrent training events.

Top ten countries (by citizenship) in 2020:

2021 – 2,400+ candidates registered with the AFSP for STAs for initial pilot training through professional type-rated and recurrent training events (January 1-24).

Top seven countries (by citizenship) in 2021:

The return of flow for students to flight training providers in the United States is a critical part of the flight training market. These students have traditionally represented approximately 45% of the total training flow in the United States and are a significant customer base upon which U.S. pilots acting as CFIs gain experience that will qualify them from a total time perspective for future employment themselves.

FSANA considers this flow of students from the international market to be a positive trend for flight training businesses around the United States.

FSANA has been receiving information from some areas around the country that oversight activities for DPEs, 141 staff members, and some charter operations are being conducted using video cameras an examiner or applicant must provide onboard the aircraft. The video activity when completed is then shared with FAA oversight staff for performance evaluation.

The video process has raised some concerns by many about privacy, document records requirements, potential FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and use for violations enforcement.

A few points of question that have been raised so far include:

These are just a few of the questions that have been raised in some of the discussion groups thus far raising concern.

Video practices are already happening in several FSDO's and some DPEs and 141 staff members are under the impression that if they do not video their sessions for currency compliance, that their currency may be allowed to lapse as the alternative repercussion.

FSANA is not aware of finalized FAA policy or regulatory guidance on this process and has seen no FAA legal counsel interpretations that would address many of the questions that have been arising.

FSANA is seeking information from anyone in the field who has been presented with these options or procedures. Please share your thoughts and concerns on the video approach and process.

FSANA will be working with industry participants and FAA staff to better understand this new virtual arena and how it can best work for all parties. Concerns should be addressed before the video process gets to much further down the runway. Efficiency is always welcome however all parties should be working to create an effective end result which benefits all parties.

A version of the methodology for remote and video monitoring of practical tests has been shared with FSANA. Click here to see what is being sent to some DPEs.

Email us at info@fsana.com or call our office if you have encountered these practices or or have concerns you might want us to consider.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making it easier to research aviation safety guidance material from the Office of Aviation Safety (AVS).

The Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) combines more than 65 document types from more than a dozen different repositories into a single searchable application. This comprehensive knowledge center centralizes the FAA’s aviation safety guidance material from the Flight Standards Information System (FSIMS) and the agency’s Regulatory Guidance System (RGL).

Each guidance document includes a link to the Code of Federal Regulations provision on which the document is based. DRS contains more than 2 million regulatory guidance documents, which can be browsed or searched. A search engine allows for basic or advanced searches and different ways to sort and view the results. The system includes pending and current versions of all documents along with their revision history. Information in the DRS is updated every 24 hours.

Visit https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/programs/drs/ to view the resource.

Redbird Flight Simulations is conducting a survey of the current state of flight training.

In an effort to understand and measure this industry, FSANA has partnered with them to spread the survey to get as much feedback as possible.

They are seeking feedback from flight training providers, flight instructors, student pilots, and active pilots. If you're giving or receiving flight instruction or flying as a certificated pilot, they want to hear from you!

To learn more and take the survey, visit:

The WINGS Industry Advisory Committee (WIAC) recently announced a new direction for the committee to include a name change – WINGS Industry Network (WIN). WIN will become an organization that supports industry efforts focused on general aviation safety. The original objective of the committee to target pilots and flight instructors to participate in the FAASTeam WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS) through a sweepstakes will now be one of many features of the new organization.

WIN appointed four Managing Directors, Paul Burger, Lauretta Godbey, John Teipen and Ron Timmermans to establish the processes, planning, budget, and program development. WIN will continue holding Committee and FAASTeam Task Force meetings to assist in various aspects of development as well as provide ongoing feedback on the progress. In addition, the 32 industry groups that currently provide sponsorship, strategic partnerships, and endorsements (Supporters) will continue to their support to the new organization.

Among the new benefits are:

Paul Burger, Founder and Chair said “this is an evolution of my original vision to reduce, perhaps even eliminate, fatal accidents in general aviation aircraft. I hope that our Sponsors, the FAASTeam, Sweepstakes winners and others who supported the WIAC, join with the WINGS Industry Network in this a one-of-a-kind, noncompetitive industry-wide effort.”

**************

WINGS Industry Network works with industry and government organizations to identify, recognize, and reward best-in-class safety education and the implementation of safety practices

For more information, contact:

Lauretta Godbey, Co-Chair and Executive Director

WINGS Industry Advisory Committee

240-457-7308

AOPA has announced its 2021 scholarship programs available. Flight training providers may find this of interest to pass along to customers and students.

Multiple scholarship opportunities are available to AOPA members, including:

AOPA High School Flight Training Scholarships: 80 exceptional aviation-minded high school students will each be awarded $10,000 to pursue a private, sport, or recreational pilot certificate.

AOPA Teacher Flight Training Scholarships: Up to 20 teachers dedicated to advancing aviation education in the classroom by teaching the AOPA High School Aviation STEM Curriculum are eligible to apply for this scholarship, which can be used to earn a private, sport, or recreational certificate.

AOPA Primary Training Scholarships: Multiple scholarships, ranging from $2,500 to $7,500, will be awarded to members ages 16 and up to help fund the cost of training for a private pilot, sport pilot, or recreational pilot certificate.

AOPA Advanced Rating Scholarships: Multiple scholarships, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, will be awarded to outstanding member pilots with career aspirations seeking an Instrument, Commercial, CFI, CFII, or MEI rating.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently sent out a notification that:

“As COVID-19 vaccines become available, many employers are asking if they can require employees to get vaccinated, and what they can do if workers refuse. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) weighed in today with new guidance (see Section K) that answers some workplace vaccination questions.

Employers may encourage or possibly require COVID-19 vaccinations, but policies must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other workplace laws, according to the EEOC.”

Employers may learn more about the EEOC notice by clicking here, or more from the SHRM at the SHRM’s new Vaccination Resource Page.

The FAA has also issued recent guidance for pilots on taking COVID-19 vaccinations.

On October 5, 2018, the President signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. In section 625 of the act, Congress addressed the projected shortages of aircraft pilots in the aviation industry by giving the FAA the authority to establish an Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program to expand the aircraft pilots workforce and provide meaningful aviation education designed to prepare students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft systems operators, and support the related professional development of teachers. Congress approved the program through the end of fiscal year 2023

Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 identified entities as eligible to apply for the Aircraft Pilots workforce development grants and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020, section 1743, identified an additional category of eligible applicants identified in the last bullet below:

In keeping with enabling legislation, grant recipients will be selected from the pool of qualified organizations above. The FAA does not have authority to award grants beyond the stated purpose, or to provide scholarships or any form of financial assistance directly to individual applicants, although the selected entities may offer scholarship opportunities as a funded activity. Those interested in direct scholarship opportunities are encouraged to visit the FAA Grants and Scholarships page.

For more information, visit: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/grants/awd/pilots/

Piper Aircraft recently announced it has received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Pilot 100 that was announced during Sun-n-Fun in 2019. This value-priced addition to Piper’s trainer-class line has already begun deliveries by Piper to its launch customer, American Flyers, who are taking delivery of eight Pilot 100i aircraft.

 “We are excited to add the Pilot 100 series to our training product line at a price point that provides optimal economics for all operators," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. “During these uncertain times, our team has continued to remain focused and has worked diligently to bring to market an aggressively priced, proven trainer that offers the advanced systems and performance that flight schools and airline programs of all sizes desire.”

The new Piper Pilot 100 rounds off Piper’s portfolio of training aircraft products. For 2021, flight schools now have an option for a factory-new, robust trainer that is priced under $300,000 and is IFR-equipped with a digital autopilot.

“The Piper Pilot 100i is the perfect mix of simplicity and technology. The G3X avionics suite is the only glass platform that allows for toggling between round dial and tape displays in a touchscreen format. This outperformed the G1000 suite on so many levels and was the primary reason we selected the Pilot 100i,” said American Flyers’ National Chief Pilot, Steven Daun.

Learn more about the Piper 100i.

“Two years ago, we realized our inability to meet workforce needs was having a negative impact on our financial results,” said AAR CEO John Holmes, expressing concern on Covid’s impact. “My concern, in the middle of this crisis, is the momentum and success we had in building our program is being lost. I’m concerned people are leaving the workforce to other industries and retirement. I’m concerned aviation programs in colleges won’t be as attractive and that pipeline of talent coming into the colleges will dry up. If that happens, when the demand comes back in two-to-three years we could find ourselves in a bigger shortfall. It is important, as hard as it may be through this crisis, to continue to expand these programs and create more partnerships with community colleges so that pipelines will stay intact.”

His concerns are well-founded. ARSA’s maintenance, repair & overhaul members were leaving $1.4 billion on the table annually for lack of employees. Regional cargo carriers were also turning away new business.

The problem is, while aviation and aerospace workforce development programs number in the hundreds if not thousands, they could be far more effective by collaborating. It is clear the aviation and aerospace industries are not connecting the dots, judging from their lack of participation in important resources that would amplify their efforts and make them more competitive with industries that have already surpassed us.

FSANA has been collecting DPE names who have expressed a willingness to travel to help flight training providers secure practical tests since our last newsletter.

This list is published on the FSANA website and is kept up-to-date with contact information, so 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 and you may be able to have them help serve some of your local testing needs.

This effort is being made in general, but also as many DPEs have self selected to delay a return to providing practical tests during the effects of COVID-19 periods and in some locations. FSANA will continue to hep provide this information as the flight training industry continues to move forward with both new and existing students in all phases of their training.

If you are a DPE who is not on this list but would like to be, please let us know by emailing us at info@fsana.com with your email and phone number and we will add you.

As the flight training industry moves forward amidst various COVID-19 effects, FSANA will continue to providelinks and resources that are useful for flight training providers.

At this time, the links and notifications below are some that we have found that may be of use depending on your operation and local restrictions that are in place.

CISA Updates memo to better include flight training

"Prohibiting certain flights (e.g., certain locations, types of aircraft, and types of operations): As is normally the case, actions such as these may violate Federal law and the airport’s grant assurances, unless approved in advance by the FAA (and, in some cases, the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) as well). To seek such approval, the airport sponsor should contact the applicable FAA Airports District Office to discuss the matter."

The FAA has offered a deviation memo for FAA Part 141 training providers to better accommodate for distance learning in parts of the approved TCOs.

Visit the following link for regular updates to deviations and policies: