4th Annual DPE Symposium Registration Open | |
After having to regroup last November 2025 due to the government shutdown and postpone the DPE Symposium, FSAI is pleased to announce new dates for the event.
The 2026 DPE Symposium has been rescheduled for September 23-25, 2026, in Dallas, Texas.
The Symposium brings together DPEs, future DPEs, flight school operators, chief flight instructors and anyone serious about becoming a DPE.
The goal of the symposium continues to be an effort to bring DPEs together to help enhance standardization and help individuals who are interested in becoming DPEs learn more about the process and potential, and bring FAA staff together with attendees to share information about FAA efforts, DPE practices, and currency.
The yearly event is an in-person opportunity to share information and to allow DPE attendees to better communicate and standardize practical testing throughout our training system.
Register or Learn More
Symposium Agenda
Wednesday, September 23
6:00 Reception and dinner
Thursday, September 24
8:00 Registration Opens
8:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00 FAA Designee Program Update
10:00 FAA Orders: 8000.95 and 8900.1 — Critical Content for a DPE
11:00 Airman Practical Testing Programs Update
Noon Lunch
1:30 Standardization of Discrepancies in the Practical Testing Landscape
2:30 Break
3:00 Working with Training Providers to Best Develop Understanding of What It Takes to Deliver a Good Quality Applicant
4:00 Plans of Action Development and Management [Concurrent session]
How to Become a DPE [Concurrent session]
5:00 Adjourn for the day
Friday, September 25
7:30 Registration Opens
8:00 Documenting Checkrides: Proper Disapproval Notice Practices
9:00 Break
9:15 IACRA and DMS Best Practices, Tips & Tricks
10:15 Break
11:00 What MOSAIC Means for DPEs
Noon Lunch
1:15 Awkward, Challenging, and Contentious Situations for DPEs and How to Handle Them
3:00 DPE Due Process Denied: Briefing on the National Class Action Lawsuit Challenging FAA Designee Terminations
4:30 Adjourn
Room Reservations
The DPE Symposium will be held at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott. The newly renovated hotel is just a short drive from premier shopping, dining, and entertainment at Grapevine Mills Mall, Southlake Town Square, and Downtown Dallas. Located next door to DFW International Airport, the hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the transportation hub.
Book Your Hotel Room
| | FSAI Part 141 Report Update | |
FSAI is now in the writing stage of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 141 Report. The report will be shared with the FAA along wit other governmental bodies that have made this request. The report is estimated to be 25-50 pages.
This report has come about after discussions with the FAA, Congress and other governmental bodies regarding the 471 page report that was submitted by the NFTA.
| | Visit with FSAI Member - Hillsboro Aero Academy | |
We enjoy having the opportunity to visit our members as time permits. Bob Rockmaker, FSAI President & CEO visited with Ms. Natalia Cimpean, President of Hillsboro Aero Academy (HAA) in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Natalia is one of the finest Ab Initio flight training leaders in the world. She has helped bring about a can do culture at HAA which has translated into one of the highest quality flight training orgnaizations on any Continent. Natalia joined HAA in 2007 and built a solid foundation that allowed her to rise to the top leadership position of President in 2020. Natalia is a proud member of the FSAI Board.
Highlights about Hillsboro Aero Academy:
- Founded in 1980
- 102 aircraft (81 fixed wing and 21 rotor wing)
- Three operating locations
- Started the HAA, A&P school in September 2025
- Averages 800 annual domestic and foreign students
- 85,000 annual flight hours
One of Natalia's leadership insights that is worth noting by all FTO Leaders, Managers, CFI's and related staff members is as follows;
"Aviation is first and foremost, about people. This is especially true in flight training. Every student is different, with their own strengths, challenges and ways of learning. Our responsibility is not only to teach people how to fly, but to help them become safe, capable and confident pilots.
That requires us to recognize the person before the pilot. To listen, understand and adapt. Our standards must remain high, however the way we help people reach them must reflect the care and respect that each student deserves".
During the visit and facility tour with various HAA staff members, there was never a hurry up or pressure culture felt within the FTO. That is a deliverable that every FTO should seek to attain.
HAA deploys 5 words within their organization which describe their core value system as follows:
- Quality
- Trustworthiness
- Passion
- Initiative
- Collaboration
It was a great visit with a wonderful FTO in the beautiful State of Oregon.
| | King Schools Scholarships Exceed $40,000 | |
For over a decade, deserving pilots have benefited from the King Schools scholarship program. The largest of these scholarships have been provided in partnership with two well-known aviation organizations: Women in Aviation International (WAI) and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).
Twenty-one scholarships have already been granted, most recently to the 2026 recipients Thomas Sando (NAFI) and Jodie Gawthrop (WAI).
Each scholarship award is valued at over $20,000 and consists of lifetime access to the entire King Schools course library, plus $5,000 in cash. Applicants must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, or an existing CFI certificate.
In conjunction with WAI, King Schools awards the Martha King Scholarship for Female Flight Instructors. The application window is open now, and the deadline for applications is Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The winner will be honored at the 2027 WAI Conference. For more information go to https://www.wai.org/scholarship-listings.
Applications for the NAFI/King Schools Scholarship are also now being accepted, and the deadline is Wednesday, January 6, 2027. The NAFI Scholarship winner will be honored at the 2027 SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. For more information go to https://kingschools.com/king-schools-nafi-scholarship-information.
"Judging by the quality of our applicants every year, I believe the future of aviation is in very good hands," said John King. "We are pleased to be able to contribute something that helps these aspiring aviators reach their dreams, and every single one of our scholarship recipients is certain to make a positive difference in this community we love being a part of."
"Awarding these scholarships has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience for John, me and all King Schools employees," added Martha King. "Many of the winners have stayed in frequent contact with us, and we have visited with each other quite often. Getting to know these very motivated and achieving pilots has been a great pleasure for us."
More information on applying for the King Schools scholarships can be found on the website – https://kingschools.com/scholarship.
| | Capitol Technology University - A STEM University Built for Aviation Careers | |
Capitol Technology University combines specialized aviation-focused degrees with one of the strongest earnings records in Maryland, giving students a compelling return on their educational investment. Its industry-aligned programs in aviation, aerospace, and related fields are designed to lead directly to high-demand, high-salary careers across the broader aviation ecosystem.
Capitol Technology University is a nonprofit STEM institution located in Laurel, Maryland, in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with a mission to prepare students for professional STEM careers through industry-focused education and partnerships. The university has built aviation and aerospace offerings that sit alongside programs in engineering, cybersecurity, construction management, and space-related disciplines, creating a holistic environment for students who want to work in or around aviation systems, infrastructure, and security.
These aviation-related degrees are intentionally career-oriented, emphasizing applied learning, close collaboration with industry practitioners, and integration with sectors like airport construction management, airport operations, aerospace systems, and cyber and space technologies that intersect with aviation. By building aviation programs inside a broader STEM ecosystem, Capitol Tech positions its graduates to navigate both traditional aviation roles and emerging opportunities in unmanned systems, spaceflight, and airport and airspace infrastructure.
Proven High Earnings and ROI
A ten-year study by the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center (MLDSC), published via the College Labor Sector and Wage Explorer, found that Capitol Technology University graduates have the highest average earnings among all Maryland colleges and universities at every degree level for alumni working in the state. The study reports average annual earnings in Maryland of approximately 70,000 dollars for bachelor’s graduates, 115,000 dollars for master’s graduates, and 176,000 dollars for doctoral graduates from Capitol Tech.
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The “Earnings by Degree Level” chart, based on MLDSC data, visually compares ten-year average earnings from 2012–2022 and shows Capitol Tech leading other Maryland institutions in combined earnings for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral alumni. This independent data underscores that Capitol Tech’s degrees— including aviation-related programs—deliver strong salary outcomes, which is a key driver of high return on investment for students and families.
The Capitol Commitment and Salary Guarantee
Capitol Tech reinforces its earnings performance formally known as the Capitol Commitment, which promises that undergraduates will find a position in their field of study within 90 days of graduation otherwise Capitol Tech will provide up to 36 additional undergraduate credits—tuition free—while they continue their job search. Additionally, undergraduates are guaranteed that when they graduate, they will earn a salary of at least $60,000 a year, or Capitol Tech will assist them in repaying their educational loan payments until their salary meets that minimum. All Capitol Tech students enrolling in any of the undergraduate full-time degree programs offered on campus, and who have at least 60 credits to graduate, are eligible for these programs.
For aviation-focused students, this commitment translates into structured support for entering the workforce quickly in roles tied to aviation operations, airport projects, aerospace systems, and related technical fields. The combination of a job-offer guarantee, strong placement rates, and high average salaries creates a compelling ROI story for students considering aviation degrees at Capitol Tech.
Industry Partnerships and Applied Learning in Aviation
Capitol Tech emphasizes industry engagement by leveraging partnerships with government agencies, leading technology companies, and public-sector employers, many of which interact with aviation, aerospace, and transportation infrastructure. These collaborations inform curriculum design, provide real-world project experiences, and open pathways to internships and full-time roles tied to airports, aerospace systems, aviation-related construction management, aviation maintenance, professional pilots, and aviation cybersecurity.
Because aviation is increasingly integrated with cyber, space, and infrastructure systems, students in aviation degrees benefit from Capitol Tech’s broader strengths in cybersecurity, space engineering, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies. This interdisciplinary approach helps graduates move into specialized career paths such as airport development and construction oversight, aviation systems security, aerospace, astronautical engineering, uncrewed and autonomous systems operations, and more.
Those students choosing the professional pilot program can choose to fly in the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) out of Ft. Meade Executive Airport or Lee Airport both located close to campus or our locations of Martin State Airport near Baltimore or Frederick Municipal Airport in Frederick. The Aviation Maintenance and Management labs are located at the Ft. Meade Executive Airport.
For prospective aviation students, this combination means that choosing Capitol Technology University is not only a chance to immerse themselves in aviation, aerospace, and related technical disciplines, but also a strategic financial decision backed by strong salary data and a clear institutional commitment to career outcomes. Visit www.CapTechU.edu.
| | Max Trescott Inducted into Flight Instructor Hall of Fame | |
Congratulations to Max Trescott, this year's inductee into the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on aviation education, reflecting credit on themselves and the instructor community.
You can learn more about the flight insructor hall of fame by clicking here.
| | FAA Proposes Making Mechanic Inspection Authorization a "Rating" | |
The FAA has made public a proposal that would amend 14 CFR Parts 43, 61, 65, 91, and 147 to replace the current Inspection Authorization (IA)—a separate, renewable credential—with a new Inspection Rating (IR) added directly to a mechanic's certificate, similar to Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
Today, mechanics must apply for and renew a separate Inspection Authorization (IA) every two years, submitting proof of recent experience and facing potential lapse if requirements aren't met.
The proposal replaces this with a permanent Inspection Rating added to the mechanic certificate. There would be no renewal applications or expiration dates—currency is maintained through ongoing activity records (mirroring current requirements) over rolling 24 months.
The IR would grant the same privileges and limitations as the existing IA (e.g., performing annual/progressive inspections, approving major repairs/alterations) but would not expire or require periodic renewal applications. Instead, holders must maintain currency through rolling recent experience activities that mirror current IA renewal requirements (e.g., performing inspections, supervising maintenance, or completing FAA-approved training). Mechanics would keep records demonstrating compliance over the prior 24 months.
A public comment period on this proposal is open until August 31, 2026.
You can see the proposal and offer comments by clicking here.
| | Summer FAA Safety Briefing Focuses on a Pilot's Guide to Weather | |
The Summer 2026 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine focuses on aviation weather and its critical effect on safe GA flying.
Articles review some basic causes of weather activity, how certain conditions can affect pilot safety, and tools you can use to aid your weather decision-making process.
Read the current edition
| | FAA Proposes Flight Service Radio Frequency Reductions | |
Based on Federal Register comments received regarding the FAA’s intent to decommission the entire remote communications outlet (RCO) infrastructure in the continental United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, the FAA has modified its plan. The FAA will reduce the number of radio frequencies used by Flight Service Stations (FSS) to communicate with aircraft inflight and will eliminate 670 redundant RCOs and retain 272 outlets, which will provide adequate coverage for system users.
The reduction will align RCO infrastructure with the decrease in pilot demand for inflight services. The proposal excludes frequencies designated for use in Alaska.
In February 2026, a safety risk management panel determined that all hazards associated with RCO reduction could be safely mitigated.
Visit the Flight Service website at faa.gov/flightservice for the list of frequencies to be retained and those scheduled for removal beginning in fall 2026.
Any comments or questions can be sent to: 9-AJR-FSSOG@faa.gov
| | ATP Certificate Issuances Halfway Through 2026 Up Compared to 2025, Major Airline Hiring Looking Strong | |
by Jason Blair
Tracking multi-engine airplane ATP certificate issuances each year is one metric by which we can track how many people are likely transitioning into airline and professional pilot career track flying. In 2025, we saw a dip in those issuances when compared with the recent high volume years between 2022 through 2024. Many thought this meant that airline hiring was on a significant downturn that would last. What we are seeing so far in 2026 seems to counteract that potential assumption.
When we look at the year-to-date month-by-month ATP AMEL certificate issuances halfway through the year, the end of June 2026, we see that compared to last year we are just over 21% up on the number of certificates issued.
The month by month track in this chart compares the number issued at this point (June 30) for each of the past 10 years.
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You can see that while 2025 dipped, we are returning back to high volume like we saw in the past few years.
Looking at this from a larger perspective, we can see the track year-to-date on the yearly scale for each of the past 10 years.
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The current year, 2026 is tracking right along the volume lines that we saw in heavy airline hiring and ATP certification years in 2022, 2023, and 2024, in the post COVID hiring boom.
I relate this to hiring trends directly because most of the ATP certificates that are being issued are as pilots transition into regional airline training pipelines, complete their ATP-CTP training courses, and then transition through type ratings and their ATP certification. This seems to be an indicator of consistent hiring so far in 2026.
There are also indications that this will continue at many regional airlines through 2026, as major airlines (even in the climate where the job market is experiencing some disruptions from mergers processes and the elimination of Spirit Airlines as a pilot employer) continue active hiring.
Bringing this together, we might also refer to some data from the Future & Active Pilots Alliance (FAPA) at FAPA.aero (specifically, https://www.fapa.aero/pilot-hiring-history).
Through the end of May 2026, not quite halfway through the year, we see that the selected grouping of "major" airlines has hired 3016 pilots so far. This is just over 66% of the total hiring of last year at 41% of the way through the year. Major airlines are hiring more than they did at this point in the year compared to 2025, and compared to 2024. It certainly looks like airline hiring is going to be at a higher level than it has been the last two years.
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The ramifications of this flow downstream to regional airlines.
As major airlines hire, they frequently hire pilots from regional airlines. The regionals will then need to hire and train new ATPs for those jobs in the process. And we see that represented in the uptick in ATP AMEL certificate issuances.
Logic from this trend leads me to believe it will then flow down to the flight instructor community, seeing CFIs who meet ATP or Restricted-ATP certificate minimums begin to be actively hired by regional airlines to back-fill their losses to major airlines and seeing active class-dates being offered over the upcoming months. This likely will result in a significant percentage of the currently employed CFI market transitioning to the next level jobs and opening of CFI positions for those who have completed CFI certifications in the recent months to move into those positions.
You can see the track of ATP certificate issuance trending up this year compared to the last two years, tracking closely to the higher volume years post-COVID.
I will continue to track this date through the rest of the year. Hopefully, those of you reading this find it as interesting as I do as we evaluate the certification trends in our industry!
Below is the data table that shows the ATP AMEL certificate issuance month-by-month through June of 2026, going back to 2026.
| The next below chart, is the selected major airline hiring numbers or recent years, with the 2026 numbers only being through the end of May in this data at this point. | | Redbird Next-Gen Flight Deck Upgrades for Training Devices | |
Redbird Flight recently introduced an evolution of its flight deck software and hardware, kicking off a broad campaign to systematically increase the fidelity, specificity, and overall value of its aviation training devices (ATDs) for learners and flight training providers.
The multi-year effort reflects an ongoing shift in the flight training market, where operators increasingly value higher-fidelity ATDs that more accurately represent the actual aircraft and enable positive transfer of training for learners.
“Flight training providers—from local flight schools to large, academy-style, Part 141 programs—continue to express a desire for highly realistic training devices that emulate exactly what their customers will experience in their aircraft fleet,” said Redbird CEO Charlie Gregoire. “In our view, that means not only offering the look, feel, and functionality of specific aircraft cockpits but also the ability to represent and interchange between multiple aircraft configurations and avionics stacks in one device. The enhanced software and hardware options we are introducing today immediately deliver more training value without sacrificing a reconfigurable cockpit architecture that better serves flight schools that have multiple makes and models in their fleet.”
A high-fidelity G1000 NXi software emulation and an accompanying ‘E001’ instrument panel headline the first wave of upgrades. Set to release on August 17, the NXi software is the result of a multi-year, ground-up development effort that delivers improved graphics, faster processing speeds, and several enhanced operational features used for training with integrated flight decks and technically advanced aircraft (TAA), including Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT), HSI mapping on the primary flight display, and airport environment tools like SafeTaxi.
The E001 Enhanced Aircraft panel will be available in early 2027, the first installment in a new family of instrument panels with higher-fidelity hardware and embedded video displays. It features hardware for two G1000 GDU 1054Bs, a GMA1347 audio panel, and knobs to allow for three analog standby instruments. The panel is more flexible and intelligent than previous versions, capable of querying the rest of the hardware in the training device to determine which aircraft configurations can be simulated accurately at a given time. The roadmap for Enhanced Aircraft panels includes several configurations of popular Avidyne and Garmin avionics, including the IFD and GTN series.
“Everything we will be developing for the Enhanced Aircraft product line is modular and backward compatible with our existing install base, meaning customers with devices dating back to the original FMX 1 can update individual software and hardware components piecemeal,” added Gregoire. “However, our product roadmap is focused on being able to offer complete, higher-fidelity cockpits for specific aircraft configurations.”
Learn more by clicking here.
| | AviatorPro Wins 2026 FLYING Magazine Editor’s Choice Award | |
AviatorPro, a next-generation aviation training platform, has received a 2026 FLYING Magazine Editor’s Choice Award, earning the highest score in the Training & Flight Education category.
AviatorPro received a score of 91.6 out of 100 from FLYING’s editorial panel, which evaluated products based on real-world utility, quality of execution, innovation, and relevance to general aviation pilots.
The panel recognized AviatorPro for its modern approach to ground school, including short adaptive lessons, interactive 3D explanations, integrated reference materials, and progress-tracking tools designed to identify areas where individual learners need additional support.
“Receiving this recognition from a panel of experienced aviation editors and pilots is an incredible honor for our entire team,” said Luke Ormsby, president of AviatorPro. “We built AviatorPro because aviation education should be engaging, visual, and tailored to how students actually learn. This award validates our mission to make high-quality flight training more effective and accessible.”
FLYING editors praised AviatorPro’s ability to make complex aeronautical concepts more digestible, visual, and personalized. The panel also highlighted the platform’s relevance to student pilots, flight instructors, and flight schools.
Founded in 2020, AviatorPro combines instructor-developed content, adaptive learning, scenario-based instruction, and interactive visuals across courses for private, instrument, commercial, and certified flight instructor training. Flight schools and universities can also use the platform to assign lessons, monitor student progress, and generate performance reports.
“This award belongs to the instructors, designers, developers, flight schools, and students who have helped us continually improve the platform,” Ormsby added. “We remain focused on giving the next generation of aviation professionals the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to succeed.”
The FLYING Magazine Editor’s Choice Awards recognize leading general aviation products selected entirely by an editorial panel composed of editors from FLYING Magazine, AVweb, The Aviation Consumer, and Plane & Pilot. AviatorPro’s award was presented during the FLYING Magazine AirVenture Party at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
| | 2027 Flight School Operators Conference Headed to New Orleans | |
The Flight School Association International (FSAI) 2027 Flight School Operators Conference is set to be hosted in New Orleans at Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
Mark your calendars for February 9-11, 2027. Registration will be announced later this summer.
| | Call for Presentations for 2027 Flight School Operators Conference in New Orleans | |
The Flight School Association International (FSAI) is requesting parties who have content they would like to present at the 2027 Flight School Operators Conference contact our office about their proposed content and presenter information.
If you or your organization has content that is directly related to flight training operations or management, provide us with a brief summary of the proposed content and who the presenter will be.
Our conference planning committee is beginning work on putting together the agenda of content and will be slating presenters into the schedule soon.
Email your information to info@fsai.org and our team will be in touch to discuss your proposal.
| | ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY | |
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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.
| | Available Aircraft: 1974 Piper Warrior PA28-151 with 7781 TT. Mid-time engine with fresh top overhaul. Both wing spars replaced in 2025. All new windows in 2025. Updated avionics include Garmin GNC355, dual G5s, and Garmin GTX325 transponder. IFR Certified. Priced at $120,000. Contact Tim at Tim.hamilton95@gmail.com. | |
Email Feedback Concerns about FAA Practical Tests to:
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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. | | 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 | | |
Flight School Association International (FSAI), founded under the name Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) in 2009 is the first association of its kind dedicated solely to the flight training industry. FSAI represents flight schools, firms that provide products and services to the flight training or aviation industry, and other supporting partners.
The Mission of Flight School Association International 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.
fsai.org / 610-791-4359 / bob@fsai.org
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