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February 6, 2020
FLIGHT TRAINING EVENTS
Regional Airline Association (RAA) President to Keynote Lunch Address at 2020 Flight School Operators Conference
Faye Malarkey Black, President of the Regional Airline Association (RAA) will be joining this year's Flight School Operators Conference as a keynote speaker on Friday, February 21st, 2020 to highlight the importance of integration between flight training providers and the customers they teach flowing upward to regional airlines in the United States.

The importance of the flow of pilots from flight training providers into qualification for employment at regional airlines is a key integration in our nation's pilot supply stakeholder process. Faye represents an organization that is intimately familiar with this relationship. FSANA members are some of the major providers of the training that results in the talent pool from which regional airlines hire their next generation of pilots.

Conference attendees can look forward to a frank and informed discussion from her address at this year's conference.
EVENTS
FSANA Conference Beckons
Just a week away, this is our last reminder to you to attend the 2020 FSANA Annual Conference in Las Vegas, February 19-21. Sessions are Thursday and Friday with Wednesday being our preview day, including a special mentoring session, reception and dinner. To learn more or register, check out the 2020 Conference Attendee Brochure.

Room Booking
To book your room at Bally's Hotel & Casino online click here. To phone in your reservation, call the hotel Reservation Center at 800-358-8777. The name of our group is listed as Flight School Conference. Callers may also use the group code to identify the group, SBAFS0. Our group rate deadline is past but may still be offered by the hotel based on room availability.

Exhibitor/Sponsor Opportunities
It's not too late to sponsor or exhibit at this conference? FSANA encourages participants who are interested in engaging with top flight training providers. To learn more download the 2020 Conference Exhibitor/Sponsor brochure.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FSANA Forms Aircraft Training Committee
FSANA has created a new aircraft training committee which will meet for the first time prior to the start of the 11th annual Flight School Operators conference in Las Vegas.

Specifically formed to discuss flight training aircraft needs for the modern training environment, the committee is open to all FSANA members. This group will be meeting the day before the upcoming conference with representatives from the flight training community and manufacturers to explore an agenda which includes the future of the training fleet along with how the industry can best see increases in the training fleet while meeting the needs of flight training providers.

Many of the major LSA OEM's will be attending and participating in the kickoff meeting.
The demand for aircraft is present and there is no end in sight for training providers when it comes to quality and reliable training aircraft at reasonable price points.

Chris Erlanson, CEO of Nashville Flight Training is chairing the committee and George Charles Allen, CEO of AeroVenture is vice chair. FSANA will be reporting on this committee's work in upcoming newsletters.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Female Pilot Certification Numbers Showing Slight Increase According to FAA Data
FSANA has been interested in the participation level of female aviators in aviation. As we watch these trends and get feedback from our members, we were interested and encouraged by some recent analysis of FAA pilot certificate data.

While the 2019 airman certification data has not been released by the FAA just yet, when referring to data through 2018 we are seeing a slight upward trend in FAA Student Pilot Certificate issuance and overall percentage of Female Pilot Certificates in the FAA data.

This trend can be seen in the following data:
As an industry, and as FSANA, we all recognize the vital importance of increasing female participation in aviation. As we all work to do this, we are hopeful that the 2019 and future data sets will continue this trend.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Piedmont Launches New Flexible Pilot Cadet Program - Includes $25,500 and American Airlines Flight Benefits
For most pilots coming out of flight school, the road to 1500 hours – the amount of flying a pilot must log to be hired by a commercial airline - is long and expensive. Getting paid as a flight instructor or sky diving pilot can help, but the reality for most is renting a plane on weekends, plunking down money for time and fuel, flying a few hours and repeating the following weekend. 

To help alleviate the burden, Piedmont Airlines is offering a new, flexible cadet program and incentives of $25,500 for pilots who need to build hours. Unlike traditional cadet programs, Piedmont’s flexible program doesn’t tie pilots to a particular school, occupation or time frame.

“We heard loud and clear that pilots want the flexibility to build time when they want and where they want,” said Talia Roffman, Piedmont recruiting manager. “And they want to be paid to do it.”

Pilots can apply for the Piedmont cadet program once they reach 400 hours of flight time and earn a commercial license with multi engine and instrument ratings. Once accepted into the program, pilots take home a $7,500 signing bonus. They earn cash for every 100 hours of logged flight from the new hire pilot bonus, and collect additional monies over two years. Piedmont will also pay for an ATP/CTP course, if needed.

On the first day of first officer training at Piedmont, pilots are placed in a queue for American Airlines. “You can’t put a value on that,” said Roffman. “Your first day at Piedmont, you start the countdown to becoming a pilot for American Airlines. It’s an incredible opportunity.” Cadets also receive flying benefits on American Airlines, including free domestic travel for themselves, a registered companion and immediate family members.

“We are very proud to add flexibility and flight benefits to the list of reasons pilots should come to Piedmont as cadets,” said Steve Keefer, vice president of Flight Operations. “The flight instructor route doesn’t work for everyone and not everyone wants to be tied to a certain geographic area. We encourage pilots in school and pilots looking to get back into the industry to view our program as an alternative to more restrictive cadet programs.” 

Pilots who join the cadet program can earn an additional $5,000 for every friend they successfully refer to Piedmont. That’s unlimited earning power that starts immediately.

Additional information:

To qualify for the Piedmont Cadet program, pilots must have completed 400 hours total time (TT) flying and earned FAA Commercial Pilot Certification with multi-engine and instrument ratings. Pilots must have a first class medical certificate. Pilots must not have a criminal record or any FAA violations. Pilots are encouraged to fly a minimum of 80 hours per months as cadets. See specific pay/bonus schedule at http://piedmont-airlines.com/Careers/Career-Guides/Cadets.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY
GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY
Have feedback concerns about FAA practical tests? Email inquiries here
FLIGHT SCHOOL BUSINESS EXCHANGE
University Air Center Flight School, Gainesville Florida   Looking for Certified Flight Instructors-Instrument for a full time busy flight school. We fly Piper Warrior, Cessna 172 (G1000), Cessna 182 (Garmin glass), Cessna 210 and Piper Aztec. We have the option of time as flight instructor then move into the Caravan for Part 91 operations then to our Charter department flying Citation Jets. Come join the UAC team! Email resume to PamL@universityaircenter.com .
Flight Instructor Sought   Wanted CFI for 141 flight school, added ratings a plus, but not required. When not instructing, right seat on Navajo available for qualified applicant. Respond to Moyer Aviation, Pocono Mountains, Pa. 800-321-5890 or vern@moyeraviation.com .
Charter Captain Wanted   Wanted Captain for 135 charter operation in Northeast. Flying Navajos & Seneca Minimum 1500 TT, 200 MEL. Respond to Moyer Aviation, Pocono Mountains, Pa. 800-321-5890 or vern@moyeraviation.com .
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 .
FSANA SUPPORTING PARTNERS
V I S I O N A R Y •• P A R T N E R S
D E V E L O P E R •• P A R T N E R S
B U I L D E R •• P A R T N E R S
L E A D E R •• P A R T N E R S
The above organizations are annual supporters of the FSANA mission and work of the association and its members. The follow organizations join our Partners in supporting our 2020 Flight School Operators Conference.
C O N F E R E N C E •• P A R T N E R S
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