WHEN COVID-19 VISITS YOUR BUSINESS
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Whether your flight training operation was closed for a period of time and has re-opened or stayed open and followed the CDC guidelines, it is possible that a staff member or customer may have COVID-19 or come in contact with someone who had it. Being pro-active is critical and you need to have a process in place to bring your facility into CDC compliance in order to protect your staff and customers from further contamination.
FSANA does not claim to be medical or immunology specialists. We have been collecting some best practices from around our and other industries that you might want to consider.
First, if a staff member or customer is presumptive or tests positive for COVID-19, separating that individual from any future spread is an important first step. Most businesses are encouraging customers who are feeling ill, and certainly any that have contracted COVID-19 to not patronize their business until they have recovered and been given an all clear by a medical professional. A written note from a medical provider is important and provides added back-up to your best practices as related to COVID-19.
It is recommended that a customer who displays COVID-19 symptoms place themselves in a 14 day self-quarantine period to determine if they do in fact become ill from COVID-19 or to ensure if they are asymptomatic that they do not spread the illness even if they are only experiencing minor symptoms.
A staff member falls into a similar practice for most businesses, although it may be more in the control of the business when in an employee relationship if they allow a staff member with any potential suspected and certainly positive affirmation of COVID-19 infection.
Best practices indicate that businesses are requiring staff members who encounter
COVID-19 to remain out of their facilities for at least 14 days to limit potential spread to other employees or customers.
So, now that you have reduced the risk of a customer or staff member continuing to spread potential virus vectors, what do you do next? For most businesses, it is a multi-step process.
Short Business Closure (24-48 hours)
Closing to determine what potential areas where an infection vector may be spread have been impacted is a good first step. Did the potentially or positively infected party visit bathrooms, conference rooms, student learning areas, common areas, and/or aircraft?
Interviewing the individuals and others who had contact with them will help determine the level of response you might want to have as a business. A short closure allows this process to take place without making a potential problem worse.
Determining who from the staff and/or customer base had contact with potentially affected areas or individuals is a next step in the mitigation process. If you find that an infected person was in close contact with an instructor, or a instructor with a customer, you may choose to take mitigation steps to a second or even third level of contact. Asking people who were in contact with an infected party to also remain clear of your operation and each other for a period of time.
Top to Bottom Cleaning
Once the spread of the virus has been contained and limited and affected areas have been identified, a complete facility cleaning is a prudent next step. A top to bottom cleaning of any areas where infected parties may have been in contact with appropriate cleaning materials will help mitigate any residual spread of virulent materials. With proper PPE and cleaning supplies, this process has been shown to mitigate much of the risk of latent spread of COVID-19 and many other viruses.
Measured and structured return to normal
Once these steps have been completed, most business operations can restart within 1-2 days. The effort to return to operation should be structured and thought-out. It may be as simple as a customer only encountered one aircraft and if that aircraft is isolated and cleaned, the rest of the operation may be able to go on as normal. Carefully contemplate risk vectors and structure any reopening to consider the best approach that will minimize any potential re-spread or infection.
We can not tell you this is everything that you must do since every situation can be slightly different. If COVID-19 comes knocking, it does not mean that you need to close your business indefinitely.
Communication is a key part of the ongoing mitigation strategy.
Talk with your staff and customers and help them understand that if they have any symptoms or are not feeling well, it is best to be on the side of caution. If a team member or customer believes they have symptoms consistent with COVID19, they should stay home and seek medical advice.
Creating a one page written communication about your COVID-19 process will provide everyone with a good understanding of what you are doing to protect both staff and customers. Posting this on your website is also a consideration.
As always, use best practices to stay healthy: wash your hands, avoid touching your face, get enough sleep, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
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PPP Funding Forgiveness Forms Posted by SBA
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The U. S. SBA last Friday posted the PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form. If your business or you personally were the recipient of PPP funds, this is the first opportunity you may have to review requirements and apply for forgiveness of PPP loans.
The form and instructions offer borrowers details on how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans.
Concannon-Miller, one of FSANA's supporting partners who has been helping to support during COVID-19 sent out an update today that included the following note.
"Based on everything that we are reading, this does not look like the “last word” we will hear on PPP. At a minimum, in the SBA’s announcement Friday, they stated that they will “soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities.”
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FLIGHT [KIND OF] TRAINING NEWS
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Sure, it’s not an airplane, but an interesting coast-to-coast record may have been set recently. According to reports, someone has driven coast-to-coast from New York to Los Angeles, beating the
“Cannonball Run” record in a car faster than most of us could do so in a training aircraft!
Putting this in context, FSANA’s editor noted that in his 1947 Stinson with a normal cruise speed of just over 100 mph, he regularly experiences travelling speeds slower than the apparent average speed of 106 MPH that the driver of the Audi had in the 26 hour 31 minute journey across the United States! With a top speed of 166 mph, the Audi definitely has a Stinson beat. It also had extra fuel tanks for the run, probably carrying more gas than Jason's Stinson would!
Check out the article on the new record that is unlikely to be beaten even by any training aircraft most of us operate without the help of a significant tail wind.
Anyone want to make a media effort to beat this with a Cessna 172, Piper Warrior, or other common training aircraft? Jason, how about doing it in your Stinson? This may be possible if and when the North America prevailing winds swing and come from the East. Checking the winds aloft each day is key for this scope.
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DPE Availability During COVID-19
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The flight training industry continues to move forward with both new and existing students in all phases of their training. While airman testing has been a challenge around the country for other reasons over the past couple of years, COVID-19 is generating new challenges.
Since the beginning of April, the system has seen a dramatic reduction in practical test volume; nearly 50% down. As this has happened when businesses have been closed, a concern exists about how well the testing process will be able to respond as flight training providers ramp back up.
Some DPEs may be self-selecting to conduct fewer tests or even no tests based on their own personal risk factors or risk factors of family members of their own for a period of time. As the testing demand silo refills over the next couple of months, FSANA is here to help provide information between DPEs and flight training providers regarding need and availability for testing capacity.
If you are a flight training provider who is having testing capacity issues related to examiner availability, FSANA may be able to help. FSANA is in contact with DPEs in regions around the country who have time capacity. Many DPEs are willing to travel to help out where testing is needed if their own home area is still at a low volume.
FSANA will publish the list of DPEs who are willing to travel during the week of May 25.
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If you are a DPE and willing to travel to provide airman practical tests, please consider sharing your contact information with FSANA. We will help connect the dots between need and service providers.
Please contact FSANA by phone 610-791-4359 or email us at
info@fsana.com and put
"Checkrides" in the subject line of your email. Please include your name, phone number and email address. FSANA will publish the DPE list during the week of May 25.
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Aerospace Industry Mourns Passing of Aviation Icon Rudy Frasca
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The International Aerospace community mourns the passing of Flight Simulation icon and aviation enthusiast, Rudy Frasca. Frasca passed away on May 11, 2020 at the age of 89. He died of natural causes.
Rudy was born on April 19, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of six children of Anthony and Jenny Frasca. He and his wife Lucille (Matern) married in 1955 and moved to Champaign, Illinois where Rudy started his business and where they raised their eight children together.
Rudy Frasca founded Frasca International in 1958. The flight simulator manufacturer started his aviation career when he began taking flying lessons at the age of 14 and soloed shortly thereafter. In 1949, Rudy joined the Navy and was stationed at Glenview Naval Station, where he worked as a flight instructor teaching pilots on the early Link trainers.
After the Korean War, Rudy left the Navy to attend the University of Illinois, where he did research in Aviation Psychology and honed his interest in the field of flight simulation. The more he worked with that early generation of pilot training devices, the more he realized that there had to be a better way. In 1958, putting together everything he had learned in the Navy and the University, Rudy built his first flight simulator at home in his garage and Frasca Aviation was founded (the name later changed to Frasca International to reflect the emerging character of the business).
Over the years, Rudy collected many unique and antique aircraft, including a P-40, a Spitfire, a Wildcat, an SNJ, a T-34, a Fiat and a Zero replica. He loved all airplanes but had a special place in his heart for his Piper Cub. His love of grassroots aviation and passion for flying fueled the growth and success of his simulation company. In his flying days, Rudy was active in many aviation organizations and has loaned several of his aircraft to the EAA museum so that the general public can enjoy them.
Rudy was a benefactor for many aviation organizations and had a special place in his heart for collegiate aviation (NIFA, SAFECON & UAA). Numerous awards have been bestowed upon him for his personal efforts and the companies contributions to the simulation industry.
Although Rudy had a great love for aviation and much success in the industry, his true love was his wife Lucille who was always his strongest supporter. Rudy's greatest pride was his eight children and eighteen grandchildren.
Those who knew Rudy admired his friendly, outgoing personality, his sense of humor, his strong work ethic and his faith. He had a way of always looking for the good qualities in people. He treated others with respect and took great interest in getting to know people. Frasca employees knew he cared by the way he asked about them and took interest in their work. He had a quick wit and loved to laugh. Rudy was truly larger than life. His contributions to the aviation industry will not be forgotten.
Fly West, Rudy!
About FRASCA International:
Frasca International, Urbana, Illinois, USA, is a world leader in the design and manufacture of Flight Simulators, Flight Training Devices and Simulation components. Frasca has a proven reputation for delivering high quality simulation equipment and leads the industry in simulation technology such as aerodynamics simulation, flight test, data acquisition, visual systems, NVG simulation, control loading, motion systems, motion cueing, manufacturing & fabrication, electronics design and more. Since its founding in 1958, over 3000 Frasca simulators have been delivered worldwide. Frasca is ISO: 9001:2015 certified.
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Sling Pilot Academy to Offer Free Daily Online 8-week Instrument Ground School
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Sling Pilot Academy announced it would be offering a free online ground school. Some flight training providers might want to pass this along to students for some additional ground training.
The school has transitioned to online ground school via Zoom, and to give back to the aviation community Sling Pilot Academy is offering its daily Instrument Ground school free to anyone who registers. It is our way of providing to those who are stuck at home, but still ready and willing to learn.
SPA invites you to join our Instrument Ground School for free as a Webinar Viewer.
Starts May 18 2020 and runs until July 10 2020 (8 Week Program).
Time: 9am-10:30am Pacific every week day (Mon-Fri).
Back Issues: If you miss a ground session you can watch the recording later
Register here:
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Texas Aircraft Manufacturing and Community National Bank Announce Special Fly-Away Financing Rates as Low as 4.75% on All Factory-new Colt-S and Colt-SL S-LSA Aircraft
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Hondo, Texas-based, Texas Aircraft Manufacturing announced today it has partnered with Hondo-based Community National Bank to offer special
Fly-Away Financing for all factory-new Colt-S and Colt-SL S-LSA aircraft.
“I cannot tell you how extremely pleased and excited we are to announce this amazing financing offer through our friends at Community National Bank,” says Texas Aircraft Manufacturing’s CEO, Matheus Grande. “Having truly affordable monthly payments is just one more example of how the new-generation Colt is helping pilots achieve their dream of aircraft ownership.”
“Whether it’s buying a car, a house, starting a business, or buying an airplane, Community National Bank has been built on helping people achieve their goals,” stated
Ronnie Miller. President & CEO, Community National Bank.
“We are impressed with the quality of the Colt aircraft, but we are more impressed with the quality of the people behind it. Everyone at Community National Bank is proud to help a fellow Hondo-based business achieve its and its customers’ goals.”
“Imagine owning a brand-new, fully-equipped Colt-SL for about the same cost as a much older, less advanced, pre-owned aircraft,” Grande says. “Our Fly-Away Financing offer doesn’t just make it affordable; Community National Bank has streamlined the loan approval process to make it as easy as possible.”
In fact, Grand explained, there is an online form that prospective Colt-S and Colt-SL S-LSA buyers can use to calculate their down payment, loan term, and total monthly payment. Here is a link to the Community National Bank
Fly-Away Financing
online calculator:
https://www.cnbanktx.com/technology/loan-calculators/
*All specifications and features are subject to change without notice.
** 5.75% Interest Rate. Purchase price: $167,500. 15% down payment. 15-year term payment of $1,182.30 per month. 15-year term subject to approval. Rates subject to change.
About Community National Bank
CNB was founded in April 1981 by a group of banking leaders focused on serving the needs of the local south-central Texas community. Over the years, that mission has expanded beyond the traditional role of a bank to that of an institution with the experience and expertise to answer the important questions customers have about their financial futures. Today, our shareholders, directors, employees, and partners are committed to providing a service-driven experience that helps customers make smart decisions and reach their short- and long-term financial goals. For more information, visit:
www.cnbanktx.com
About Texas Aircraft Manufacturing
Founded in 2017 and based at South Texas Regional Airport in Hondo, Texas, the team behind Texas Aircraft Manufacturing is solely committed to using modern technologies and materials to design and produce new-generation private aircraft that help pilots achieve their dream of aircraft ownership. The company is the designer and producer of the new Colt Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA).
Texas Aircraft Manufacturing is grateful for its employees, many of which are ex-military aircraft maintainers and veterans
. For more information, visit:
www.texasaircraft.com
Media Contact:
Texas Aircraft Manufacturing, Inc.
Dale Smith
Director of Media Relations
904.400.1000
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TSA Reminds Flight Training Providers to Stay Up-To-Date on Security Awareness Training Requirements
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On September 20, 2004, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued 49 C.F.R part 1552, Flight Training for Aliens and Other Designated Individuals; Security Awareness Training for Flight School Employees. This regulation requires aliens seeking flight training to submit specific information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order for DHS to determine whether or not the individual is a threat to civil aviation or national security; requires flight training providers to verify that an individual is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a U.S. Department of Defense endorsee prior to providing flight training; requires initial and recurrent Security Awareness Training for certain designated individuals; and prohibits flight training providers from providing flight training to individuals who have been identified as a threat to civil aviation or national security.1
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, you are listed as a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) under 14 C.F.R. Part 61. This letter is to remind you of the requirements outlined above that may be applicable to the flight training you provide, and to let you know whom you may contact should you have any questions.
TSA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) have several online resources available that provide guidance on 49 C.F.R. Part 1552 at the following web sites:
If you have any questions please contact the TSA at
FTP@tsa.dhs.gov. When sending an email message, please include your name and airport address (to include city and state) for which you provide flight training.
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COVID-19 Related Resources for Flight Training Providers
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As the COVID-19 effect continues to develop, FSANA is working to collect and provide links and resources that are useful for flight training providers. We will continue to share these with you as we encounter them and share them both on our website and in our communications.
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.
4/17/2020* -
CISA
Updates memo to better include flight training
Version 3.0 of this memo came out somewhere in the second week of April although* the dates still show as March 28th on the document. Of note, this version specifically included an update that includes "flight instructors" as essential workforce.
4/4/2020 - FAA Issues "Information for Airport Sponsors Considering COVID-19 Restrictions or Accommodations"
"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."
3/17/2020 - Part 141 Training Interruptions Related to COVID-19 and Applicable Deviations to Order 8900.1
The FAA has offered a deviation memo for FAA Part 141 training providers to better accomodate for distance learning in parts of the approved TCOs.
FAA Dedicates Web Page for FAA COVID-19 Relief For Certificate Holders: Policy Deviations, Exemptions, and Rule Changes
Visit the following link for regular updates to deviations and policies:
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Useful COVID-19 Related Links
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Paul and Fran Burger Wings Sweepstakes Cash Prizes Total $10,000 for 2020 Edition
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FSANA is encouraging flight providers, flight instructors, and students completing training and pilot certificates or ratings to be a part of the FAA WINGS Program, a part of the FAA Safety Team, and complete FAA Wings activities and/or full Wings phases.
The best part, by doing so participants can enter into the 2020 Fran and Paul Burger Wings Sweepstakes for cash prizes totaling $10,000.
The Wings Sweepstakes mission is to reduce the nation's accident and incident rate by increasing pilot participation in the WINGS FAASTeam
Pilot Proficiency Program. The
WINGS program has courses based on real world accident and incident causes so flight instructors, pilots and student pilots get training that can truly make a difference.
Click here to learn more about the Wings Sweepstakes.
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Next Annual Flight School Operator Conference Scheduled For March 3-5, 2021
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This year's Annual Flight School Operators Conference just finished a couple weeks ago, but we have confirmed the dates for next year.
The FSANA Annual Flight School Operators Conference will be returning to the Rosen Plaza in Orlando, Florida. Much more information will be coming in the upcoming months, but for now, you can start planning to lock your calendars for
March 3-5, 2021.
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ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY
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FLIGHT SCHOOL BUSINESS EXCHANGE
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Busy Western New York Flight School seeks a Part 141 Chief Flight Instructor.
Duties include managing flight school, liaison with local schools and universities, managing Veteran’s Administration system, information sessions and tours, marketing and oversight of fleet maintenance.
Tired of the heat and humidity in Florida? Come to Western New York where summer temperatures almost never get as high as 90!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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FSANA SUPPORTING PARTNERS
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V I S I O N A R Y
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P A R T N E R S
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D E V E L O P E R
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P A R T N E R S
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B U I L D E R
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P A R T N E R S
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L E A D E R
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P A R T N E R S
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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 FSANA's 2020 Flight School Operators Conference.
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C O N F E R E N C E
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P A R T N E R S
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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.
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