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June 24, 2021
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FAA DPERWG ARAC Report Delivered
On October 5, 2018, Congress enacted the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L 115-254). Section 319 (Designated Pilot Examiner Reforms) of P.L. 115-254 requires the Administrator assign to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee the task of reviewing all regulations and policies related to designated pilot examiners appointed under section 183.23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

On June 20, 2019, the FAA assigned this task to ARAC, which ARAC designated to the Designated Pilot Examiner Reforms Working Group (DPERWG).

Over the past 18 months, the DPERWG has been engaged in the development of recommendations to the ARAC on the most effective ways to identify areas of needed reform with respect to regulatory and policy changes necessary to ensure an adequate number of designated pilot examiners (DPE) are deployed and available to perform their duties to meet the growing public need. The members of the group were selected for their diverse backgrounds and expertise as DPEs across the country. Fixed-wing, gliders, hot air balloons, rotorcraft, warbirds, large and small flight training operations, air carrier, and even an examiner with NVG experience make up the wide array of expertise within this group of volunteers.

Last week, the DPERWG delivered its final recommendations with respect to the regulatory and policy changes to allow a designated pilot examiner to perform a daily limit of 3 new check rides with no limit for partial check rides and to serve as a designed pilot examiner without regard to any individual managing office. The DPERWG also made recommendations regarding the selection, training, mentoring, deployment, and oversight of DPEs. The DPERWG considered the role of potential qualitative and quantitative costs and benefits, including impacts to resources, of these recommendations compared to their alternatives.

Some of the major highlights of the recommendations include but are not limited to:

  • Expansion of allowance for the number of activities a DPE may conduct in a day;

  • Updated and enhanced selection criteria for DPE candidates;

  • Enhancement of DPE training standardization;

  • Implementation of DPE mentoring efforts;

  • Improvement of DPE location and sourcing tools;

  • Allow for enhancements in guidance that would allow more DPEs to provide service who might otherwise be disqualified (such as allowance for more medical certificate authorizations to be utilized and allowance for segmented testing efforts); and,

  • Implementation of a national level management and resource team for DPEs to assist with workload currently managed by local FAA offices.

This work is the culmination of significant work by industry representatives along with significant support from FAA support team members from multiple offices. Each of the participants on the workgroup was selected to bring experience and knowledge to the discussions and recommendations that resulted from their experience and knowledge of the training and testing environment. FSANA representatives were present throughout this process.

FSANA greatly appreciates the work that the FAA staff and all of the industry representatives put into the entire process and the final product. It is a significant step forward as our industry continues to evaluate the best training and testing processes for the future of aviation. We are hopeful that the recommendations will be review and implementations of these and future efforts relating to the testing process will be forthcoming.

FSANA encourages training industry participants to read through this report.

FLIGHT TRAINING SAFETY
FSANA Survey of Training Provider Safety Efforts
Over the past few months, FSANA staff and members have had a variety of conversations that related to safety in the flight training environment. These conversations ranged from what is taught to instructors, how line staff are empowered to take actions that might affect safety, to how training providers engage with the general public on safety discussions.

FSANA is interested to know more about this topic and get some feedback from the industry.

We hope you will take a few minutes to help us develop a better understanding of what is common in the training industry. We may find that this is a robustly dealt with the topic, but we are also interested if it is a topic on which more discussion is needed and about which FSANA may be able to share best practices with the entire industry.

FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Discussion Continuing on "Compensation" for Flight Training Legal Ruling
Last week, numerous industry groups, including FSANA, joined to send a letter of concern regarding the recent court ruling and FAA position regarding compensation revolving around flight training.

Specifically, as noted in our previous newsletter, the concern related to some special-use aircraft categories, but raises concern about application of the ruling made by the court into other areas of flight training additionally.

On June 8, multiple aviation associations signed on to a letter urging the FAA to revise in advance of issuance the proposed new flight training policies. Click here to see this letter.

As the flight training industry continues to track this discussion, FSANA will share with you information for industry review and comment. Here are a couple of new items for your consideration:


FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Special Conference Rate Ends July 6
Save $100 Now
FSANA is committed to the value of an in-person conference and after a decision to reschedule, is committed to the event in August this year in Orlando.

DATE: August 18-20, 2021
LOCATION: Rosen Plaza in Orlando, Florida

The 2021 conference will set the stage for the strong rebound that is already taking hold in the flight training arena. FSANA is dedicated to the pursuit of helping flight schools achieve their goals. Our ongoing advocacy for the training market continues to help create the next generation of aviators.

Please visit https://www.fsana.com/details.php for the latest information on the 2021 conference.

Early Bird Registration
Want to save $100 off the regular registration rates? Register before July 6, 2021, and qualify for the Special registration rate.

This year's conference will highlight current conditions and efforts in the flight training community to move forward from the effects of the last year, to work with current and expected market conditions, and to share best practices and efforts from other flight training providers around the country.

New schools continue to pop up and existing schools are growing. The conference will again have multiple education tracks designed to meet the increasing demand for added content in the ever-changing world of flight training.

COVID-19 Update
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. Rosen's Covid Commitment

Book Your Room at Rosen Plaza
Guests who prefer to phone in their reservations can call the hotel Reservation Center at 800-627-8258. Conference group name is Flight School Conference. Callers may also use group code 70073.

Conference Registration & Program
FSANA staff, board and conference committee members have worked hard to put together a productive and beneficial slate of content for the 2021 conference. The conference program is available to view and registration is open.

Want to sponsor or exhibit at this year's conference? Click the following link for more info:
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Discussing the 180 Degree Turnback, in 1954
The discussion about turning back to the runway in the event of an engine failure is happening. Now. But it isn't a new one. It's one that the aviation community has been having for along time.

In fact, one of FSANA's contributors highlighted the fact that back in 1954, the University of Ililnois did a study of this maneuver.


The fact that this was done then, and is still being discussed today, means that the training efforts are not wholely working at completely stopping pilots from losing control, especially when attempting a turn-back to an airport from failure during a takeoff.

Coming closer to current times, an FAA Advisory Circular from April of 2003, "General Aviation Controlled Flight Into Terrain Awareness" (AC-134 - https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/ac61-134.pdf) discusses some of the concerns relating to loss of control and training efforts to avoid the condition.

FSANA and many other aviation groups continue to highlight the overly high rate of fatalities that result from loss of control, and too many times in the pattern during maneuvering. This isn't a new problem as we see from the study above that was done 67 years ago as the writing of this article. It appears we still haven't fully learned the lessons we need to in our efforts to eradicate these fatalities.
FLIGHT TRAINING SAFETY
Dead Man Flying
by Glen Pace

Thirty years ago, over the grey, misty, cloudy skies of south Mississippi, A student pilot learned some great lessons that would change his life forever. The reality of death had never been so real. A dead man was flying on that fearful and dreadful day. A video from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association puts the average time a pilot with limited instrument training can survive flying into instrument conditions at 178 seconds. Ninety percent of these flights end in a fatality. If a pilot with limited training can survive only an average of 178 seconds, a 20-hour student pilot with no training can survive only a fraction of that time (178 Seconds to Live, 2012). Statistically, one could say a dead man was flying. Understanding the weather, proper training, and the role of a qualified instructor is paramount to developing the skills to become a safe pilot.

It was a warm fall morning in Poplarville, Mississippi. The clouds were hanging low, but he didn’t have the experience to estimate their height or the danger that he would soon face. Upon arriving at the airport, the pilot called for a weather briefing and was told the clouds were 1500 feet. “One mile north of you is clear of clouds and unlimited visibility,” the briefer said. Since this pilot had not been flying long enough to realize he had not been given accurate weather information, he started his preflight inspection on the airplane. The airport manager warned, “Be careful of the 800-foot towers just off the north end of the runway.” Looking back, it was his way of telling this young pilot he had no business flying in the weather conditions as they were at the time. This young aviator climbed into the airplane, feeling scared and excited at the same time. He trusted what the briefer had told him and was looking forward to another safe flight.

In just a matter of minutes, he would learn the importance of proper training. He began his roll down the runway and lifted into the sky climbing at 500 feet per minute. At 600 feet, he began seeing a few clouds beside him. The words of the airport manager began to ring in his head: “Be careful of the 800-foot towers just off the north end of the runway . . . Be careful . . .”  He felt his only option was to continue the climb to get above them. 800 feet above the ground, he was almost totally in the clouds without ever having one minute of cloud training. As he looked down in an attempt to make some sense of the problem, the interstate appeared to be moving back and forth beneath him. This student pilot knew that his lack of skills was putting him in extreme danger. It was his inability to hold the airplane straight and level. At 1000 feet he was in the “soup” as it is called in aviation, surrounded by clouds with no reference to the ground or horizon. The clock was ticking! He now had less than 178 seconds to live.

He looked at the flight instruments with limited knowledge on how to properly use them. He knew enough to hold the plane level with the artificial horizon instrument. His heart was racing like never before and the fear was unimaginable. He looked out the window and could see only white. Looking back at the instrument panel, another problem caught his eye. Climbing at 1500 feet a minute, the airplane was about to stall. The big problem was that he had never practiced a stall in his life. He knew to get the nose down to prevent a stall. Thinking he was level again, he looked out the window. His eyes could see only the white of the clouds. He did not know whom to call on the radio to help him because he had never been taught this information. He glanced back down at his instruments and learned that he was diving 1500 feet per minute. Trying to gain altitude and to prevent an impact with the ground, he pulled back on the yoke. His 178 seconds were over as this up-and-down process continued for several minutes. The pilot was positive that he would never see his family or home again and that death was certain. Realizing one final time that he was in a rapid dive, he pulled back on the yoke. Just as the airplane was returning to level flight, he popped out of the clouds just a mere 200 feet above the ground right over the interstate. He could feel his heart about to jump out of his chest and his mouth was dry. He had just survived the unsurvivable. The lack of training was apparent. One mile north of the interstate, the clouds were clear, allowing him to complete the trip safely.

After this near-death experience, he realized how valuable the instructor’s role is in keeping everyone safe and alive. Prior to this experience, he thought that his instructor had done him a great favor by letting him solo and make trips so early in his flight training. After a time of careful reflection, however, he realized that he had put himself, the airplane, and the general public at risk. He could have crashed into a home or car, killing himself and/or others. Years later with an airline transport rating, all his flight instructor ratings, and over 20,000 hours under his belt, he is a better pilot and a better flight instructor because of that experience. He never lets a student solo until the student meets every FAA requirement with proficiency concerning student pilots in the federal aviation regulations.
His desire is that by sharing this experience, it will challenge every student, pilot, and instructor to the dangers of not analyzing the weather correctly and to the importance of providing adequate training and understanding the role of the instructor. Many years ago, a dead man was flying in the skies over south Mississippi. Not many people have been as fortunate as him. He returned from the dead to live a productive life.

178 seconds to live from AOPA Live. Retrieved March 13, 2012, from - https://asivideos.aopa.org/detail/video/5767011801001/178-seconds-to-live
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FAA’s Runway Safety Town Hall a Success
On June 16, the FAA hosted a virtual Runway Safety Town Hall for all GA pilots. The online event was well received and viewed by more than 2,300 people via FAA’s YouTube channel and via FAA’s Facebook and Twitter channels. It featured several surface safety best practices and a candid discussion among GA pilots, air traffic controllers, and runway safety experts. The focus of the Town Hall was to help pilots reduce the risk of airfield errors and lower the potential for accidents. Discussion topics included preflight preparation, situational awareness, communications, knowledge of runway geometry and signage, and how to prepare for operating at a major fly-in event like AirVenture.

According to Nick DeLotell, FAA’s Acting Manager of the Commercial Operations Branch and a Town Hall panelist, the event was “a great opportunity to showcase the FAA’s internal interdependence across multiple offices, and our collaboration with stakeholders and the public to solve problems and increase safety.” Nick added that the broadcast “successfully raised awareness and provided tools and resources that GA pilots can use to mitigate risk.”

If you missed the event, you can still view the archived version on the FAA’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/wpLPTZsijfk.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
Meet the 2021 National GA Award Winners
As they have for more than 50 years, the General Aviation Awards program and the FAA have recognized aviation professionals for their contributions to GA in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance/avionics, and safety. This year’s National General Aviation Award winners are: Ronald Jay “Ron” Timmermans, Flight Instructor of the Year; Michael Colin Dunkley, Aviation Technician of the Year; and Adam Timothy Magee, FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year.

A special live video presentation was held last week allowing the GA community to “meet” the award winners, hear about their contributions to industry, and learn about their top safety recommendations. If you missed the live broadcast, the program was archived and is available to view anytime at www.gaa-live.com/2021.html.
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
SEVP Stakeholders: Check Out New Employment Resources on Study in the States
The start of summer marks a period when many F and M international students begin employment and/or practical training opportunities, and with that comes reporting requirements and the need to look out for fraudulent activity. This helps ensure the integrity of the system so international students can gain practical work experience while studying in the U.S. Visit new employment resources on Study in the States.

Practical Training Overview
Download the new F-1 Practical Training Overview in the Resource Library. The resource outlines the differences between training opportunities, including:

  • When it occurs
  • Length requirements 
  • Employer requirements
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
FSANA to Host First Annual Designated Pilot Examiners Symposium
FSANA is hosting the first annual Designated Pilot Examiners Symposium for the flight examiner community in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday October 27, 2021, with pre-events scheduled for Tuesday. The conference will bring together DPEs and those interested in becoming DPEs to share and exchange information which will lead to improvements in the examiner segment. FAA officials will be on hand to share their insights and observations on the Designee system.

Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) form the backbone of the airman practical testing system in America. There are over 800 DPEs in the Designee system and they are responsible for providing over 40,000 airman practical tests each year.

The event kicks off on Tuesday October 26 at 2:00 pm with a session for those wanting to become DPEs in the future. There will be an open forum and discussion afterward. The following day will be a series of general sessions along with a workshop where attendees will break into smaller groups.

Symposium registration opens in July so please watch for more information.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY
FLIGHT TRAINING NEWS
DPEs Available to Travel to Help Training Providers Source Practical Tests
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.
GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY
Have feedback concerns about FAA practical tests? Email inquiries here
FLIGHT SCHOOL BUSINESS EXCHANGE
College of DuPage seeks full-time, tenure track faculty member/s to teach Aviation courses starting in Fall, 2021. Faculty duties include classroom instruction, assessment, curriculum development, advising students, professional inquiry, committee work and engaging with instructional technology.

Teaching responsibilities may include both stand-alone developmental writing courses and co-requisite, accelerated, or paired sections of developmental and first-year college writing. Teaching assignments may include various delivery modes, such as face-to-face, on-line, hybrid and/or blended formats during days, evenings and weekends. Click here for more information.
Flight Instructor Wanted - Potential to Transition to SIC Charter Work in Navajo
Teach basic and advanced flight and ground training with university affiliated school in Tobyhanna, PA at Moyer Aviation. If interested, contact vern.moyer@moyeraviation.com.
International CFIs Available to Work
International CFIs available to work immediately with two years of work authorization in the United States. Most of the candidates have both CFI and CFII. Please contact Brett Hart (503) 726-8378 or email bhart@flyhaa.com if you have any openings.
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 School Needs Cessna 172 Aircraft Ocean City, Maryland
If you have Cessna 172 aircraft that might be useable in a flight training program, contact Mike at mfreed@flyoceanaviation.com to discuss possibilities.
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
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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