> Display difficulties? View as web page
> Stay informed. Join our mailing list
> Be noticed, place an ad. Get our ad rates
> Join FSANA. Application here
July 18, 2024
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
From the President...
Aviation brings added value, meaning and fun to our daily lives.

The flight training industry has and always will be dynamic versus static.
Flight training in America continues to build and evolve as people elect to begin their flight training pathways. However, some things almost never change.

People want to become pilots for many reasons. A career pathway on the flight deck is always one of the top reasons why people start to fly. But it is not the only reason.

Understanding a persons "Why" is where it all begins. Their "Why" becomes foundational
and it helps paint a clear picture for their motivation and goal(s).

It is perfectly OK to want to learn to fly for personal, self accomplishment or that bucket list item. Flying is both fun and serious.

Every human being has the same amount of time each day. What we do with our time is a personal matter and can make all the difference in the world with respect to how we approach our daily lives.

Time is like a river. You can not touch the same water twice because the flow that has passed by will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of your life.

Inviting people to come to your flight school to learn about flight and aviation is a big first step. Getting people out to the airport is a gateway entry point to the aviation industry.

While "Learn to Fly Month" is May of each year, why not conduct a monthly
"Open House". Cold drinks, coffee or tea plus some snacks are a great way to break the ice and warmly welcome people to your school.

America is blessed to have a wonderful group of flight training providers and all of us need to continue to welcome newcomers and encourage them to learn about flight and the many opportunities that are part of the aviation and aerospace industry.

CAVU and Wings Level.

Rock

Robert Rockmaker
President & CEO
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
3rd Annual DPE Symposium Registration Open
Rosen Plaza
Registration for the 3rd Annual DPE Symposium is now open. Taking place October 23 and 24, 2024, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL. FSANA will again host the conference for DPEs in Orlando, Florida, which is a hotbed of training and home to a large number of DPEs.

If you are a current DPE, working to become a DPE, or want to learn about the DPE segment of the GA industry. this event is for you. The Symposium provides a unique opportunity to share information in person between DPEs from around the country which does not happen anywhere else.

"Our goal is to bring together current and future DPEs, the FAA and others to allow them to discuss concerns, common issues in the field, and best practices as a group," said FSANA President & CEO Bob Rockmaker. He continued, "The first two DPE Symposiums benefited all attendees and learners and provided for quality exchange of information and process regarding all aspects of airman practical testing".

The program will include topics including:

  • Airman Practical Testing Programs Update
  • Managing Applicant Scheduling and Practical Test Demand
  • Coordinating and Delivering Quality Customer Service for Practical Tests
  • Standardization Discrepancies in the Practical Testing Landscape
  • Staying clear of suspension and termination
  • Plan of Action Development
  • And much more

Early bird registration and hotel reservations are now open.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FSANA Flight Training Advocacy Day in DC
US Capital profile
FSANA is pleased to announce its first annual Flight Training Advocacy Day in Washington, DC, September 17 and 18, 2024. The program is as follows:

September 17 - Reception in the evening with legislators and staff
September 18 - Breakfast with legislators
September 18 - Meetings with legislators and their staff on the Hill

FSANA encourages everyone to mark their calendars for this historic event. This will be a major opportunity to meet with your legislators to discuss critical talking points which impact your business. Registration Registration opens August 1, 2024.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Holds Hearing on "Eliminating Bottlenecks: Examining Opportunities to Recruit, Retain, and Engage Aviation Talent"
On July 10, the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure held a hearing focused on "Eliminating Bottlenecks: Examining Opportunities to Recruit, Retain, and Engage Aviation Talent." This hearing included testimony that discussed the flight training landscape and how it affects the aviation sector.

Representing the sector were representatives from the "Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International", the "National Business Aviation Association", and the AFL-CIO. It is disappointing that testimony from organizations that directly work with the flight training sector on a daily basis was not included in this effort.

FSANA brings this to the attention of our readers so you can see what was said relating to our industry. It is critical for our viewpoints to be a part of the e discussion at the national legislative level, and to do this, we need all of our members to engage with our associations and your local legislators. FSANA knows what a critical role the flight training community plays in the aviation workforce and service delivery process. We will continue to engage in this sector and ensure our voices and concerns are a part of these conversations in the future.

We encourage members to take the time to listen to the testimony that was given.

FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FSANA Summer 2024 Survey of Student Starts
FSANA is interested in knowing what flight training providers are seeing with regard to new student starts as we transition into the summer of 2024.

Please help us by completing a quick survey of what you are seeing in your own operation and offer any comments you might want. We appreciate your input as we work to continue to understand our industry!

FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Van’s Aircraft to Host Forum “RV-12iS in Flight Schools” at AirVenture 2024
Van’s Aircraft will be hosting a special forum session to be held at EAA AirVenture 2024 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin focused on the use of the RV-12iS in flight schools. The forum session, which is geared toward people interested in learning about the RV-12iS as a technically-advanced airplane for flight training, will be held on the EAA ground on Monday, July 22, at 10:00 AM, at Forum Stage 10.

Speakers will include Aric Krause and Josh Goldschmidt of Van’s Aircraft, as well as representatives of two flight schools that operate RV-12iS aircraft in their businesses - RexAir and Link Aviation. This panel discussion will highlight the many reasons these schools and others choose the RV-12iS as the best option for their flight training programs.

Key topics will include aircraft characteristics and benefits, operational efficiency and maintenance costs, and overall value.

The forum is open to all attendees. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation, allowing participants to engage directly with the experts.

For more information, visit Van's Aircraft Forum.
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.

The latest 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.

If you are a DPE who is not on this list but would like to be, please let us know. Write us at info@fsana.com with your name, city, state, email and phone number and we will add you.
PRACTICAL TEST FEED BACK

Have feedback concerns about FAA practical tests? Email inquiries here
Email Feedback Concerns about FAA Practical Tests to:
GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY
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 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATES
Legislative Advocates are flight schools, businesses and individuals who support FSANA’s efforts to advocate for public policy that benefits the flight training industry.
G O L D
B R O N Z E
FSANA SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Annual Partners are flight schools, businesses and individuals who support FSANA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the flight training industry.
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
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