TRAINING NEWS
Future Airline Pilot & CFI Pipeline Directly Impacted by
Inability to Secure Timely Checkrides
FSANA continues to receive reports from flight training providers around the country that sourcing of practical tests have become a burden to their models of providing flight training to its completion. FSANA has been working with the FAA and industry partners for almost two years to determine how big of a problem this really is and try to provide solutions. Unfortunately, the problem has gotten worse, not better.
Last week, James Viola, FAA Deputy Director for GA Safety Assurance spoke with Bob Rockmaker, FSANA CEO about the matter. During the discussion, Viola made it clear that the FAA is going to achieve the 10 business day/14 calendar day goal for practical test scheduling once the CFI has endorsed an applicant for a test.
Rockmaker applauded James Viola and FAA leadership for recognizing the serious nature of the airman testing issues and thanked both Viola and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation for focusing on the issue.
We continue to get reports of applicants who call FSDO's to schedule CFI initial practical tests, multiple times, and receive no calls back from the offices. The number of examiners available has gone down, not up. In many locations, wait times for practical tests exceed the FAA and industry agreed "no longer than 14 days" as a reasonable wait time, with many locations experiencing scheduling wait times of 5-6 weeks as the normal experience.
In the worst of cases, we have reports of practical tests needing to be scheduled 4-6 MONTHS in advance of an actual test. For some larger training operators who have multiple locations, the experience is requiring them to purchase airline tickets for their customers to take tests in other FSDO regions where an examiner can be sourced.
Each of these problems creates delays in training, extra costs for the applicants, and additional costs to the businesses that provide the training to the next generation of pilots who will fill the cockpits of the airlines.
There are many reasons that the FAA has provided for why the number of examiners has decreased, why examiners are not available in some locations, and why the shortage has occurred.
The simple fact is that the FAA is tasked with providing the resources to test pilots who have been trained for certificates and ratings and the level of service that has been provided in many areas of the country is not meeting the need.
At this time, FSANA is very concerned that this lack of ability to serve the testing needs of the training providers and their customers through the country is directly affecting the pipeline of production of the next generation of pilots and directly affecting the business efficacy of the businesses that provide this training.
FSANA recognizes that the flight training community has undergone an increase in training provision during the current active hiring climate which has added some burden and that many examiners have retired over the past few years as a result of changed FAA designee currency requirements, but the vacancies have not been filled and the increased need has not been addressed.
A general change in how training is provided in many cases, on a shorter time footprint and at locations where training is in higher density and the weather is better, represents a change in the systemic approach to training from when the testing structure was originally developed 50 years ago and most pilots trained at local airports.
In consideration of these factors, FSANA believes it is time for the FAA to very quickly make changes and work with the industry to remedy the inability to provide the testing that is needed to keep the pilot training pipeline flowing in the United States.
While some progress has been made, more is needed. We stand ready to work actively on this, but it must be done quickly. This industry is not in a position to wait another two years to address this clear and present concern that is negatively affecting flight training businesses and slowing the pilot training pipeline.
If you or someone you know is having troubles sourcing practical tests, having tests administrated properly, or coordinating them through your local FSDO, the FAA did establish a feedback email that skips local coordination and goes directly to a national office to deal with problems being experienced. These types of concerns should be emailed to:
The staff that receives information at this address takes this seriously and will keep concerns confidential when it is requested. If you are not comfortable with that or fear reprisals from a local office or staff member, FSANA is also willing to serve as a middle-man and de-identify any reports if you would prefer to email them to
info@fsana.com. In the subject line for use of either of these email addresses, indicate "Pilot Testing Issues."
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TRAINING NEWS
Avemco-FSANA Sign Partnership
We are excited to announce that FSANA has formed a relationship with Avemco Insurance Company, the only direct writer of aircraft and aviation insurance in U.S. Through this relationship, Avemco is offering all FSANA members access to the Avemco Partner Referral Program. This program provides you the opportunity to earn up to $50 for every qualified referral who receives a quote whether they purchase the policy or not.* In addition, Avemco will provide you with complimentary materials, including a counter rack and rate sheets that will explain to your customers why they need Avemco aviation insurance.
To register for the Avemco Partner Referral Program visit www.avemco.com/partners or you can contact them directly at partners@avemco.com or 301-694-4203.
*Avemco Insurance Company and Avemco Insurance Agency, Inc. collectively market under the service mark Avemco. Avemco Insurance Company insures general aviation aircraft and pilots and does not underwrite life insurance products. Life insurance offered through this program is provided to qualified applicants through the Avemco Insurance Agency, Inc. (Arkansas Insurance Producer License #274909 and California #0E63427) and are underwritten by non-affiliated carriers who specialize in life insurance products. Policies may not be available in all states - please call for details.
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FSANA NEWS
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Harrisburg Pilots AeroCamp Students in Middletown, PA |
AeroCamp 2018 Has Taken-Off
FSANA member flight schools are busy with AeroCampers across the U.S.
AeroCamp is a great way to introduce young people to the aviation and aerospace industry. As the program continues to grow, FSANA will promote the program to help drive more participants to experience AeroCamp.
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AeroCamp Students at Mid Island Air Service in Ronkonkoma, NY |
This is a continuation of an effort that these schools have begun over the years to bring youth to the industry while increasing their profitability.
Schools that offer AeroCamp programs are experiencing higher than average margins and are simultaneously attracting new customers who remain long after AeroCamp is completed.
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TRAINING NEWS
Room Reservations Now Open for FSANA 2019 Flight School Operators Conference Feb 13-15, 2019
Room reservations are now open for the 2019 Flight School Operators Conference Feb 13-15, 2019 at the Rosen Plaza in Orlando, Florida.
Program Schedule Available
A preliminary agenda for the conference is now available.
FSANA is working hard to have the full program schedule available and confirmed much earlier this year so you can plan your attendance and know what fantastic content will be delivered. Take a look at this first program draft and we will update this document as more details are confirmed in upcoming months.
Please book your room now since the hotel will sell out. The 2019 conference & 10th anniversary celebration will be the place to be for anyone interested in the flight training industry.
To make a reservation, call 800-627-8258 and request GROUP RATE for Flight School Association Of North America 10th Annual Conference.
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TRAINING NEWS
California Independent Contractor/Staffing Case May Affect Flight Training Providers
The California Supreme Court recently ruled on a case that changes when workers may be considered "contract workers" instead of being required to be paid as "staff" and this may affect how some training providers pay and hire their flight instructor or other staff. Provider of flight training in California are advised to carefully review their employment practices if they are in the practice of using "independent contractors" in their operation.
The case has now noted that to classify an individual as an "independent contractor", the business must prove that the workers is "free from the control and direction of the employer" and "performs work that is outside the hirer's core business." Further, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye wrote for the court, that "When a worker has not independently decided to engage in an independently established business but instead is simply designated an independent contractor....there is a substantial risk that the hiring business is attempting to evade the demands of an applicable wage order through misclassfication."
The key point here is that a worker, such as a flight instructor, must be seen to be as providing a service that are engaged in work that "is outside the usual course of the hiring entity's business."
The gist here is that any businesses operating in California who are using independent contractors in their business model should carefully consider if in light of this recent ruling they are acting in compliance with current legal interpretations. If there is any question, FSANA strongly encourages these businesses to contact their HR, legal, or accounting representatives or service providers to determine if or how they can remain in compliance.
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TRAINING NEWS
SEVP Record Keeping Requirements WEbinar Last Week Available
Provide training for foreign students?
It may be worth taking the time to review the "SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) Ask the Experts Webinar: What DSOs Need to Know about Record Keeping" to ensure you are doing all the required record keeping for students who are in the United States for pilot training.
The webinar was conducted on June 21 and an archival copy is able to viewed. In the webinar, SEVP representatives disussed record keeping and reporting for SEVP-certified schools and international students.
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TRAINING NEWS
Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE's) Wanted
Over 98% of all airman practical tests are administered through the FAA's Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) program. By many accounts, and especially in some areas, there is a shortage of DPE's.
In the 1990's, there were over 1,700 DPE's in the FAA's system. Today, that number hovers around 812. There are many people who think that only airline pilots can qualify to be DPE's. That is simply not true. Highly experienced instructors and general aviation pilots with experience in multiple makes and models of aircraft are equally qualifiable and many times even better candidates for service as DPEs.
FSANA is leading an industry wide working group which is working with the FAA on a wide array of topics, all related to the airman practical testing process. A part of this work includes
working with the FAA at the national level to evaluate the process and need for DPEs around the country. The FAA and FSANA is encouraging airman who feel they meet the DPE requirements to begin the application process.
Becoming a DPE isn't something that happens overnight, it takes time and some effort. It takes a dedication to service, to following FAA procedures and processes, and an ability to be a good representative of the FAA as a designee. If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for becoming a DPE, more information is available.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
FAA is Hiring for Safety-Related Aviation Positions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking applications from experienced candidates to fill aviation safety positions at various facilities throughout the country. These positions are critical to the agency's mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.
FSANA recognizes that many times the professionals who have been involved in general aviation and flight training are some of the most experienced and qualified individuals for these types of positions. Additionally, good, qualified, and experienced flight training professionals can many times be the best individuals to help work with others involved in the business of training. If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for these positions, please encourage them to consider open positions.
The FAA is hiring for the following safety-essential positions:
- Aviation Safety Inspectors - to administer, investigate, and enforce safety regulations and standards for the production, operation, maintenance, and modification of all flying aircraft. Aviation Safety Inspectors work in four specialty areas: avionics, maintenance, operations, and manufacturing.
- Aviation Safety Technicians - to provide technical support to safety inspectors for inspections or investigations. This includes searching for, gathering, screening, and providing facts or explanations related to an inspection, investigation, or compliance program.
- Aerospace Engineers - to ensure the continued operational safety of manufacturers' aviation and space products from airplanes to spaceports. Aerospace engineers have opportunities in two key disciplines: aircraft certification and commercial space transportation.
- Operations Research Analysts - to provide expert analytical support and to conduct significant analytical studies and projects related to aviation. Operation research analysts also use advanced techniques, data mining, statistical analysis, and mathematical modeling to develop solutions for business processes and to enhance oversight for all commercial operations.
- Medical Officers - to determine medical qualifications for complex medical conditions referred for further review. Medical officers also support specialty panels at the request of the Federal Air Surgeon and assist the Medical Education Division with seminar presentations.
For more information on qualifications and specialized experience, interested applicants should visit
www.faa.gov/Jobs.
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Don't Miss Out on FSANA Membership Benefits - If You are not already a member, Join Today!
The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) is a trade association that provides member only benefits. Benefits include:
- AeroCamp
- AeroChapters
- AeroParty
- AeroSolo
- Airport relations guidance
- Aircraft renters insurance
- Background check programs
- Career advancement opportunities
- Contact data acquisition
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Discounted rates for conferences and seminars
- Email marketing software
- Flight school accreditation
- Flight school awards programs
- Flight training advocacy
- Industry advocacy
- Loss of training expense insurance
- National marketing programs to attract new customers
- Networking
- Operational assistance
- Post-secondary aviation distance learning
- Public awareness of FSANA programs for consumers
- Technical assistance
- Tenant relations guidance
- Trade association support on flight school issues
- Youth programs
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New Jersey Area TFR Highlighted June 29-July 1
A typically busy airspace, the New Jersey area will be affected by a TFR from June 29 through July 1. This was forwarded to FSANA in hopes that we would help share awareness.
If you or your customers will be flying in the area during these dates, click the image below for more information.
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Be Recognized as a FSANA Supporting Partner
FSANA is a dynamic trade association that represents the interests of flight training providers. Our members are motivated and successful business operators that provide flight training in the United States and foreign countries. Your company, or a company you know, is encouraged to support FSANA in its achievements by becoming a "Partner."
FSANA's core platforms include:
- Helping flight training businesses operate successfully and profitably;
- Increasing the pilot population;
- Working with other aviation and aerospace industry associations and companies to promote quality flight training pipeline development;
- Providing programs and services that will assist FSANA members to better serve their customers and local communities;
- Promoting best practices in the flight training community;
- Reducing the general aviation incident and accident rates;
- Engaging both youth and adults to explore aviation and aerospace.
FSANA Partners receive year-round brand exposure in both print and electronic platforms in multiple channels and a host of other benefits.
To learn more, please contact
Debbie Sparks
, vice president, at
dsparks@fsana.com
or 561-767-6826 or Dave Eiskowitz, development director, at dave@fsana.com or 610-737-5207.
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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!
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, Inc. Pocono Mountains, Pa. 800-321-5890
vern@moyeraviation.com.
Charter Captain Wanted
Wanted Captain for 135 charter operation in Northeast. Flying Navajos & Seneca Minimum 1500 TT, 200 MEL. Respond to Moyer Aviation, Inc. Pocono Mountains, Pa. 800-321-5890
vern@moyeraviation.com.
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We welcome feedback from the readers of this newsletter! Tell us what is important to you
as a school owner, manager or chief flight instructor. We will share comments received
in an upcoming edition of
Flight Training News
.
Send your thoughts to info@fsana.com.
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