The third annual FSANA DPE Symposium kicked off with senior FAA staff addressing the attendees.

Trey McClure, FAA's Acting Manager of the General Aviation and Commercial division and Everett Rochon, FAA's Manager of Airmen Training and Certification highlighted some of the work the agency is doing to improve the training and testing system.

One of the highlights of the work the FAA noted was the overall increase in the number of available DPEs, nearly 100 more at this point in October 2024 versus the same time last year. The FAA is working to increase the total number of DPEs that can be processed through initial DPE training in fiscal year 2025 to continue to increase the overall capacity of the testing system. Part of the specific goals of this effort included:

• Increasing the total number of DPE appointments
• Increase DPE authorizations (what DPEs are authorized to do)
• Increasing DPE utilization (having DPEs do more actual tests)
• Increasing the FAA's use of oversight resources to improve management and deployment of DPEs

Additional briefing topics from FAA staff highlighted how the FAA is working to implement recommendations and legislative work from the:

• FAA Reauthorization Bill of 2018
• Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (DPE ARAC) report
• FAA Reauthorization Bill of 2024

Dante Fontenot, Manager, Delegation & Resource Office provided some early insights into the newly created "Centralized Airman Testing Office". This new office has already begun to centralize the oversight of approximately 25 FAA staff that will oversee the DPEs in the field. They currently have already taken over the management of over 120 DPEs from around the country from many local offices to help manage the workload.

All of these factors are part of how the FAA deploys and manages DPEs to help keep the testing system robust and able to meet demand.

Both the FAA and FSANA recognize the challenges of practical test scheduling in the system and some of the things that continue to undermine parts of the availability. DPEs and presenters in attendance noted the concern of applicants double booking DPEs, having applicants that are fully prepared and qualified so tests can proceed, and ensuring that equipment used for the tests is airworthy. Ensuring that each of these do not become roadblocks to testing proceeding forward hinders the efficacy of the practical testing system and are well-known challenges DPEs regularly encounter.

The incorporation of FAA staff into the DPE Symposium is a key part of the bi-directional communication process between DPEs and the FAA who designates them to conduct FAA work. FSANA greatly appreciates the FAA taking the time and organizational resources to be a part of this critical discussion event.

Kicking off the 2024 DPE Symposium, FSANA President & CEO Robert Rockmaker, A.A.E. highlighted how important the testing process and the DPEs that conduct the majority of this testing are to the entire aviation training and operational landscape.

The Ab Initio aviation training infrastructure is feeling the push to get more people through the training system pipeline. The testing system is a quality check of significant importance in the process of guaranteeing quality in the skills and knowledge in our pilot pool.

"FSANA is dedicated to providing collaboration between the FAA, the DPEs, and the flight training community," said Rockmaker. "The integration of DPE services is an important quality check that our system needs to ensure training is being provided that meets and exceeds minimum quality standards.

The unique job function of DPEs and its importance of it cannot be understated in the eyes of FSANA in the aviation training system. While no training provider loves to hear an applicant has been given a disapproval or has missed something in their training, savvy ones take feedback from and work with the DPEs to help improve their own training efforts for better success.

FSANA is working hard to help continue and enhance this working relationship to improve the entire training, and thus, pilot quality throughout the system.

Robert Rockmaker, A.A.E. FSANA President & CEO shared some thoughts and a few power point slides on the relationship between flight schools and flight testing. The successful passage of an airman practical flight test is only the beginning of a persons flight education. The saying still holds true today, "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old and bold pilots".

Click the graphic to the right here to see the presentation Bob began with at the symposium.

We all know airman practical tests are stressful events for applicants, and DPEs are in a unique position to try to see if applicant performance is indicating proper knowledge, skill, and risk management levels. This can sometimes be challenging with applicants that are under stress.

Attendees were addressed by Shannon Torres, President of Aviation Conversations specifically covering the topic of how DPEs can best help mitigate some of the "human factors" during practical tests without crossing the line of being too "friendly" or too "mean." She specifically talked about some of the common stress responses DPEs should be aware of and how to de-escalate some of them if experienced during practical tests.

The pressure many applicants have or put on themselves during practical tests can cause a range of emotions that DPEs experience. These range from an applicant "shutting down" to lashing out in anger, especially at a disapproval, to feeling like a failure. All of these emotions and many more are ones that DPEs have experienced in their applicants. While the goal of the DPEs is not to become an armchair psychologist, there are times when the DPE needs to understand the applicants behavioral nuances.

A second session with Shannon and led by DPE Jason Blair, engaged the DPEs in the room with discussion of some of the worst-case scenarios they have experienced and how they could handle them if ever experienced again.

Human factors are a key part of aviation, and this is no different during practical tests. In fact, other than in emergencies, the testing process is one of the higher-stress events many pilots claim they experience in their careers. FSANA looks forward to diving into this subject area for the flight training industry to continue to help expand our understanding of the dynamics and how we can all improve safety with better knowledge.

FSANA is pleased to be hosting its annual Conference & Trade Show on February 5-7, 2025 at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Plan to join your peers, friends, and exhibitors at the next Flight School Operators Conference & Trade Show.

Come learn, network, and meet government officials, supply chain partners, and others who interface with your industry. Over 20 professional sessions to choose from. Don’t miss out on the most important days of the year for your business.

Looking forward to its 16th year, this is the annual event that has been having a huge effect on businesses like yours. The FSANA conference experience is about learning how to:

• Increase profits
• Engage in growth strategies and new business opportunities
• Adapt to the latest trends and technology
• Manage costs and be more efficient

Registration will be opening in October and includes:

• Entry to professional sessions and workshops
• Admission to exhibition hall with over 50 exhibitors
• 2 receptions
• 1 dinner
• 2 luncheons
• Coffee breaks with exhibitors

This is the industry's only annual conference and trade show focused on the business of flight training.

Click here for hotel information and reservations.

Exhibitor and Sponsor Information

To become an Exhibitor, Sponsor of the 2025 conference and/or annual "Partner", FSANA has packages available. Exhibit space will most likely sell-out in 2025. Contact FSANA soon to secure your spot. info@fsana.com or 610-791-4359. All annual "Partners" are required to submit exhibitor registrations for 2025.

You can learn more about sponsor and exhibitor information by clicking here.

Robert Rockmaker, A.A.E. President & CEO of FSANA testified before the Mayor and City Council of Kissimmee on October 15, 2024 on proposed ordinances related to airport landing fees at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) in Kissimmee, Florida.

The City of Kissimmee was planning to execute a contract with Vector Airport Systems to begin the process of collecting landing fees from GA aircraft including flight training aircraft.

Rockmaker pointed out to Mayor Olga Gonzalez and the Council members that an Ab Initio student training in a career pilot track will have over 250 hours TT and an estimated 425 landings during that period of time.

It was noted that some airport managers were considering Vector Airport System in order to reduce the airports GA flight operations. This would help reduce flight activities and lower the overall level of noise. Rockmaker pointed out that the use of landing fees to control flight activity was not an acceptable practice by airport Sponsors. The use of landing fees to reduce airport operations goes in direct conflict with the FAA Grant "Sponsor Assurances" which are included in every FAA AIP grant that is accepted by an airport Sponsor.

Based on the proposed $3.00 per 1,000 lbs of aircraft gross weight, a small single-engine training aircraft at KISM would have a landing fee of $6.00 or more. A student pilot conducting eight (8) multiple landings and take-offs, (touch and go's) would be invoiced for $48.00.

One of the City Council members pointed out that there were none of the local KISM Airport-based flight schools were opposing the new Ordinance. Rockmaker pointed out that the proposed ordinance exempted based schools. It was then pointed out that these same schools (their customers) will infer landing fees when they travel to surrounding airports that were also considering the Vector Airport System.

As a former airport executive, Rockmaker pointed out to the Mayor and City Council that KISM had over 200 acres of developable land which would greatly enhance the annual revenues to the airport. Shaun Germolus, A.A.E. Director of Aviation at KISM told the Mayor and City Council that when he was hired in December 2019, there were numerous sweetheart leases that he inherited and was working to correct.

Rockmaker pointed out that it was not the fault of the GA family for the weak airport lease agreements that were in place. Rockmaker also recommended to the Mayor that City Council create an "Airport Advisory Board" to help guide the airport forward. He also recommended that the Council consider the creation of an airport authority.

The Mayor noted that the City Council was very busy with keeping the City of Kissimmee going forward and making progress for the citizens. Rockmaker then pointed out that the Council had loads on their plate and it had to be hard to also oversee the Airport. She then noted that it appeared that both the Mayor and Council had much more to learn about the airport and how to operate a successful airport.

The Kissimmee City Council agreed unanimously to create a new KISM Advisory Board. They also tabled the motions to retain Vector Airport Systems and to initiate the new landing fee schedule as proposed.

This past week our FSANA editor, Jason Blair, hit an interesting milestone in his own flying career. He strategically planned the event of passing the 10,000 hours in the air mark to be on a personal flight with his wife in their Stinson in a fall color tour in West Michigan.

While this isn't a huge number compared to many airline pilots, what we did find interesting at FSANA was how Jason carefully characterized what he meant when he said "in-air" hours. This was a combination of his time as a pilot, an instructor, and as a DPE. When he explained deeper, he highlighted that over 3500 of his "in-air" hours have been non-logged for him as a pilot or instructor because when he is conducting practical tests he is not acting as a pilot or instructor; that the applicant is the PIC. During these flights, he isn't logging time.

That highlighted the unique nature of the work a DPE does. They don't follow a traditional flight path where they are logging time like many airline pilots. The flights they are taking don't have a lavatory, a beverage cart, a cabin crew, or many of the other amenities that some other flight operations get. They operate at many small airports, get in airplanes they have never seen before, and fly with people they have never met before and aren't vetted by any company processes prior to the events.

Most people just see the DPE show up at the airport to do their practical test, and don't see all the other parts of the job. Frequently DPEs will have a drive to and from the airport where the test takes place, have to prepare ahead with a plan of action prepared for the test, and commonly have 12-15 hours days if they conduct two practical tests in a day. Most of their time in an aircraft is done in 1.5-2.0 hour flights, with one or two of them per day. They don't get fly long legs across the country. It is one flight at a time after doing a couple of hours of ground testing.

It really is a unique part of the aviation workforce landscape; the job of a DPE. While many DPEs work as professional pilots in air carrier or charter operations doing a minimum number of tests each year, a few of our DPEs in the system do a larger percentage of their work footprint as testing.

Even examiners get excited for their experience milestones. It is good to see those still passionate about flying and share it with their fellow pilots and applicants.

ASA has recently launched the ASA Pilot Training app that provides consolidated access to Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, and Remote Pilot ground schools, with comprehensive preparation for the FAA Knowledge Exams. Additionally, Flight Training videos are available on topics ranging from helicopter operations, airplane flight maneuvers required for successful completion of pilot checkrides, and single subjects from industry experts such as understanding spins, flying a taildragger, unusual attitudes and much more.

Students can select any of the Pilot Ground Schools for a free demo of the first lesson. Full courses are available within the app and sync with an existing ASA Online Ground School account.

Each ground school curriculum is organized to align with the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS), covering all required knowledge. Lessons combine sharp video and the latest instructional aids with the expertise and experience of ASA’s industry-leading eBooks and test preparation materials for a comprehensive, convenient aviation ground school program.

Progression through the ground school is tracked so you can pickup where you last left off. Upon completion of the course, a graduation certificate and endorsement to take the official FAA Knowledge Exam is provided.

Learn more by clicking here.

Greg Robbins, president of ASA, was awarded the W.W. Estridge Award during the University Aviation Association 2024 Collegiate Aviation Education Conference & Expo in Memphis, Tennessee. He did not receive the William A. Wheatley Award as previously reported.

The W.W. Estridge Award honors American Airlines' Captain Walter W. Estridge, Jr., a distinguished aviator and advocate for collegiate aviation education. Captain Estridge served as Director of Flight Training at the American Airlines Flight Academy after a decorated career as a U.S. Air Force pilot, during which he flew in World War II, the Berlin Airlift, and the Korean War. With 31 years at American Airlines, Estridge flew and instructed on nearly every aircraft in the fleet and accumulated approximately 25,000 flight hours. He was also a key leader in the ATA and IATA Training Committees, earning the prestigious IATA Brevet award for his service to aviation training.

The Award recognizes industry representatives who have made significant contributions to collegiate aviation education while being actively involved UAA members. Nominees must be employed in the aviation industry and have distinguished themselves as strong supporters of aviation education. Captain Estridge’s foresight in predicting the vital role colleges and universities would play in the future of airline staffing is reflected in this award, which encourages the continued collaboration between industry and educational institutions.