Posts Tagged ‘flight training’

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California Flight Schools Targeted For Closure By LA City Council

Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Santa Monica Airport

Santa Monica Airport - photo courtesy P3air.com

The Los Angeles City Council April 21 voted unanimously to shut down six flight schools which operate at the Santa Monica Airport. According to an article in the Santa Monica Daily Press (smdp.com), the legislation approved would also establish a flight pattern that would make airplanes fly over homes in the area.

The legislation was originally proposed in March by the California city council. Council members Bill Rosendahl, Paul Koretz, and Janice Hahn proposed the legislation because of their concern fledgling pilots and idling jets might cause safety and environmental problems in the area.

According to an article, “Flight Schools Under Attack in Santa Monica, CA” in the AviationSchoolsOnline.com Flight Training Blog, the actions taken by the city council could not just affect the schools in California, but flight schools across the country. The article stated the initial goal by the city council was just to force the Federal Aviation Administration to make flight schools in certain areas close or alter flight plans.

The article in the blog operated by the aviation schools claims the council members have no knowledge of aviation and do not appreciate the impact of their actions.

According to the article in smdp.com, the action was taken to halt “numerous practice maneuvers” that take place over the area, thus improving safety. The resolution specifically cited a crash in July 2010 over the Penmar Golf Course. The National Transportation Safety Board has not determined the cause of that crash.

The article in the blog by aviation schools reported that some claim students at the flight school engage in dangerous maneuvers.

Someone from smdp.com unsuccessfully tried to contact Hahn to gain comments. She did not return calls.
A spokesman for the Federal Administration, however, dismissed any talk the flight schools operate in an unsafe manner, pointing out the planes involved operate out of many small airports.

“Nobody has offered one bit of evidence suggesting that Santa Monica flight school operations are anything but safe,” FAA spokesman Ian Gregor wrote in an e-mail. He pointed out the pilot killed in 2010 was an experienced commercial pilot, not a student at a pilot school. If the person was an experienced pilot, he could not have been a student receiving flight training.

Joe Justice, who runs the flight school, Justice Aviation, said in the smdp.com article that he believes the actions of the Los Angeles City Council are “political,” and he added he is “angry.” He said despite “rough landings” by students no people or homes on the ground have been “jeopardized.”

Sources:

Santa Monica Daily Press

AviationSchoolsOnline.com Flight Training Blog

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Flight Training: K-State Salina Open House Features Airplane Rides, Pancake Fly-In

Thursday, April 14th, 2011
K-States Flight Training Programs

Learn more about K-States Flight Training Programs

Kansas State University Salina will hold an open house this Saturday, April 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. According to a K-State press release, America Jet will provide airplane rides every half-hour between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for $15 per person. Flights will be available on a first come-first served basis. The Wildcat Breakfast Fly-In from 8 to 11 a.m. is a chance to meet K-State pilots and mechanics of the past, present and future while enjoying pancakes and sausage.

Other open house activities will include…

  • Local groups will show off their skills throughout the day. Lakewood Middle School’s Stang Gang will perform at 10:30 a.m. The Bennington High School Jazz Band will perform at 11 a.m. K-State Salina’s Spirit Cats will perform at noon. Miller’s Shotokan Karate will perform at 1 p.m.
  • K-State Salina’s club basketball team will offer a free clinic for 10-to-18-year-olds, 10 a.m. to noon in the Student Life Center. The clinic will cover fundamentals of the game, shooting form, and dribbling skills. The team is also sponsoring a Hot Shot tournament for 10-to-18-year-olds, 1-3 p.m. in the Student Life Center.
  • The Spirit Cats dance team will teach 5-to-11-year-olds a routine during a free clinic, 10 a.m. to noon in the Student Life Center.
  • Throughout the day, the club baseball team will have throwing, fielding, base running and hitting stations on the softball field for 6-to-17-year-olds. Participants can also can also “guess your speed” and check the accuracy of their guesses with a radar gun.

Willie the Wildcat, K-State’s mascot, will be making appearances at most of the open house venues during the day.

More information is available at http://salina.k-state.edu/openhouse

Learn more about K-State’s flight training programs

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Flight Training – Piper’s “Ready, Set, Fly” Program Targets New Owners

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011
Piper Archer LX

Flight training is now included with the purchase of a Piper Archer LX - photo copyright Piper Aircraft, Inc.

Piper Aircraft Inc. is offering primary flight training with their new “Ready, Set, Fly” program to new owners of the Archer LX aircraft. The program is designed to teach new owners how to fly in an extensive three-week course. Piper Aircraft believes the program will promote the growth of general aviation by encouraging more people to become pilots. Piper announced the “Ready, Set, Fly” program at the Sun ‘n’ Fun International Fly-in & Expo in Lakeland, Florida this week.

According to Piper Aircraft vice president Randy Groom, this revolutionary new pilot training program will solve several common detractors to successfully learning how to fly an aircraft such as a lack of convenience, concerns about the quality of instruction available at many flight schools, and scheduling conflicts that hinder student pilot progress. The convenience issue is one of particular concern, and one that Piper is prepared to meet head-on. The standardized pilot training offered as part of the “Ready, Set, Fly” program is part of a short yet concentrated three-week course overseen by a professional instructor. By learning to fly in their own aircraft, owners become more familiar and comfortable which could also yield a long term safety benefit. The program also solves the problem of subpar equipment found at some flight schools.

This custom program was created specifically with the Archer LX in mind, and is intended to be a means to introduce prospective pilots to aviation. It further illustrates Piper’s commitment to the aviation industry, particularly to the light aircraft segment.

The Archer LX is a single-engine aircraft with a Lycoming 0-360-A4M, 180 hp engine that is capable of flying at speeds up to 147 mph (237 km/h) with a range of up to 522 nautical miles (966 km). A new, Garmin G500-equipped model costs $309,900. If an already qualified pilot purchases an Archer LX, they can apply their training time in the program toward a different FAA certification. Qualified and prospective pilots who purchase one of these new aircraft can also elect to conduct their pilot training at a different facility of their choice if they feel that Piper’s program is not for them.

Source: http://www.piper.com/pages/PiperOffersArcherLxReadySetFlyTrainingProgram_03292011.cfm

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Flight Schools Under Attack in Santa Monica, California

Saturday, March 26th, 2011
learn to fly sign

Santa Monica Flight Schools Fight to Stay In Business

At least five flight schools in Santa Monica are under attack from members of Los Angeles City Council. A resolution was recently introduced that would allow lobbyists in Washington to press for legislation to close flight schools and alter flight plans. Complaints from residents about noise are being used in the effort by council members Janice Hahn and Bill Rosendahl.

While the council members seem to be targeting the flight schools in the Santa Monica area right now, it is believe the ultimate goal of the council members is to close the airport. The initial goal is to force the Federal Aviation Administration to force flight schools in certain areas to close or alter flight plans. Changes, if implemented, would not just affect California, but flight schools throughout the United States.

Officials in Santa Monica have said that closure of the airport used by flight schools there is a possibility. Those representing flight training and pilot training schools in Santa Monica contend that the LA City Council members have no first-hand knowledge of the aviation training industry and do not realize the impact of what they are doing.

The Santa Monica Municipal Airport has a long history in the area. The facility was built in the early 1920s and is one of the oldest still operating on the West Coast. Douglas Aircraft was once housed at the facility until a move to Long Beach. Flight and pilot schools in the area have helped many aspiring pilots receive the training necessary to attain their license to work as a commercial pilot or elsewhere in the aviation industry.

The airport in Santa Monica has become a popular location for use by private jet owners due to its proximity to Malibu and Beverly Hills. Approximately 105,000 planes depart from the airport each year, which is about 285 flights per day. Rosendahl asserts that the airport poses threats to the residents in the area. Rosendahl is among those pushing for a change in flight paths of planes originating from the airport.

Currently departing aircraft fly over the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. There is a potential for crossing paths with flights heading out of Los Angeles International Airport. Rosendahl is suggesting that aircraft make a 40-degree turn to the north after taking off from the airport.

This change in flight direction would put aircraft directly over some residential neighborhoods in Santa Monica. Stuart Cook, who owns an aviation school in Santa Monica, believes that the residents in the Los Angeles neighborhoods the LA city council members are allegedly trying to protect knew about the airport prior to moving in.

In January of 2009, two people were killed when an aerobatic plane crashed at the airport’s west end. In August of 2009, a pilot trying to crash land a single-engine plane died at the airport. In 2010, a commercial pilot crashed shortly after takeoff.

Those representing flight schools in the area counter charges that flight school students engage in dangerous maneuvers, pointing out that fatalities involved mostly experienced pilots. The airport currently has an agreement with the city to remain in operation until 2014. It remains to be seen what the future of the airport will be after that time.

Source: http://www.labusinessjournal.com/news/2011/mar/21/dark-skies-flight-schools/

Click here to get more info about flight schools in California

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May 21st is International Learn to Fly Day at JA AIr Center

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

International Learn to Fly Day at JA AIr Center at the Aurora Airport in Illinois

Our Airport Open House is going to be on Saturday, May 21st at JA Air Center at the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove, IL.  Address is 43W700 US Hwy 30, Sugar Grove, IL. Our phone number is 630.584.3200 and our email is info@jaair.com. We’re located right off of I-88.

The event will be from 9am – 5pm.  We’ll have airplane rides, food, corporate and new Cessna aircraft displays, facility tours, and giveaways throughout the event. We’ll also have a few informative events throughout the day on Learning to Fly so people can gather more information on what it takes to become a pilot.

For more information, please contact JA Air Center at 630.584.3200 or email info@jaair.com.

Click here to get detailed information about flight training at JA Air Center

Visit the JA Air Center website

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G1000 Flight Training Student Simulator Released

Friday, February 25th, 2011
G1000 simulator

Flight 1 Aviation Technologies claims its product is a cost-effective yet powerful way to learn to use the Garmin G1000

Flight One Aviation Technologies has released a high-fidelity Garmin G1000 all-glass avionics suite simulation that interfaces with Microsoft® Flight Simulator X, Microsoft® ESP™, and Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D™.

According to a company press release, the Flight1 Tech G1000 Student Simulator provides pilots, flight instructors, flight school owners, and home cockpit builders with a cost-effective yet powerful way to learn to use the Garmin G1000 and maintain proficiency.

“Unlike part-task trainers like the G1000 simulator available from Garmin, the Flight1 Tech G1000 Student Simulator works together with Microsoft® Flight Simulator X, Microsoft® ESP™, or Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D™ to provide pilots with an immersive training experience,” explains Vice-President Jim Rhodes.

“The G1000 Student Simulator provides a rich avionics simulation, and the flight simulation provides an unmatched aircraft and environmental simulation. By combining both, pilots can learn and master the G1000 in the same cognitive environment in which they’ll use it. They have to manage the avionics while simultaneously managing the challenges of flying the airplane.”

The G1000 Student Simulator is available in a Student version for personal, non-commercial use (that features photorealistic bezel graphics with functional buttons and knobs) and in a Hardware version designed for commercial use (or for non-commercial use in a home cockpit) that interfaces with the SimKits TRC1000 Glass Cockpit. Future plans include a hardware version designed to interface with the Precision Flight Controls Modular Flight Deck.

The G1000 Student Simulator is available in a Student version for personal, non-commercial use (that features photorealistic bezel graphics with functional buttons and knobs) and in a Hardware version designed for commercial use (or for non-commercial use in a home cockpit) that interfaces with the SimKits TRC1000 Glass Cockpit. Future plans include a hardware version designed to interface with the Precision Flight Controls Modular Flight Deck.

The MFD includes a highly realistic Navigation map as well as Navigation, Waypoint, Auxiliary, and Nearest page groups. Direct To, Flight Plan, and Procedure functionality (including Departures, Arrivals, and Approaches) is also provided, and flight plans can be created, saved, and loaded. Map symbology includes cities, major highways, railroad tracks, city and state names, and water body names. Basic visual Obstacle Warnings are displayed on the Navigation and Inset Maps, basic aural TAWS-B Alerts are provided, and basic Traffic Information Service (TIS) functionality is also simulated.

The G1000 Student Simulator includes an integrated Garmin GFC 700 digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) that realistically models the Flight Director and Autopilot. Flight Director annunciations and Autopilot status are displayed on the PFD. Real-world vertical and lateral modes modeled include Flight Level Change (FLC), Vertical Navigation (VPTH and ALTV), and Glidepath (GP) for WAAS approaches.

“No matter what the platform, we’ve always pushed the limits of what it’s capable of,” says Rhoads.

Source:  Learn and Master the Garmin G1000 All-Glass Avionics Suite … in the Same Dynamic Environment in Which You Fly

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Flight Training Benefits For Veterans Improve With New 9/11 GI Bill

Sunday, February 13th, 2011
New GI Bill benefits flight training

New GI Bill benefits flight training - image copyright and all rights reserved by Brandon Farris

Veterans with a passion for flying can now soar into the wild blue yonder with extended benefits through the GI Bill 2.0 as part of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. Previously vocational and flight-related training were not covered, but now such training will be covered when the law goes into effect on October 1, 2011.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs under the Post-9 11 GI Bill covers the lesser of the amounts (of $10,000) between actual net in-state tuition costs and the fees charged by flight schools. Other Department of Veterans Affairs programs already covering flight-related training include the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty and Veterans Educational Assistance Program.

Veterans are urged to check with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the flight school they chose is VA approved and meets VA qualifications prior to enrollment. Right now VA-approved flight schools are eligible for reimbursement through the Montgomery GI Bill.

In October veterans enrolling in flight schools will be able to receive direct payment through the Post-9 11 GI Bill. It is recommended that veterans who choose to pursue flight training attain a VA Certificate of Eligibility to determine how much military education benefits they may receive to put towards flight training. Regardless of VA reimbursement, veterans are responsible for fees associated with flight training programs.

Veterans who successfully complete an aviation training program will be a part of a growing selection of career opportunities. Flight-related careers are expected to show at least a 12% growth through 2018 according to US Bureau of Labor statistics. Job opportunities may include air cargo carriers, regional airlines, air taxis and low-cost carriers.

While college degrees and commercial pilot license are required for most flight-related jobs, military pilots have an advantage in the face of tough competition. Pilots can also start their professional flight careers working as flight instructors. This allows for the accumulation of flight hours and additional experience that will make veterans pursing aviation careers more attractive for lucrative jobs with commercial airlines.

The average wage for commercial pilots can range from approximately $73,000 to $117,000, depending on experience and specific flight-related job. Veterans can get more information on the Post-9 11 GI Bill at military.com or through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Click this link to see our Featured Flight Training Schools

Source
http://www.gibill.com/news/flight-training-now-covered-by-post-911-gi-bill-333.html

Find a GI-Bill School – Aviation Schools for U.S. Veterans
More VA info – resources for veterans – articles, videos, links, and more

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Flight Training Costs Creating Pilot Shortage

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

Market forecasts indicate skyrocketing demand for pilots in the next few years, but funding issues are grounding many would-be pilots. Photo courtesy Brandon Farris, Copyright 2011.

In spite of forecasts indicating skyrocketing demand for pilots in the next few years, flight training providers can’t find enough student pilots to keep the doors open. This begs the question, “why aren’t people signing up to fly?” The primary hurdle, or barrier to entry if you will, is a near complete lack of funding options for future career pilots.

While the profession isn’t as glorious as the old stereotype, being paid to fly is still a dream job. Pilots don’t have as many days off or make as much money as their neighbors think they do, but it’s all worth it for the view. Unfortunately, getting into the left seat of an airliner requires a set of demanding and varied skills that can cost a pretty penny to learn… money that many potential pilot trainees just don’t have.

When you consider the sheer amount of knowledge and skills required to be a proficient pilot – things like managing ever more complicated technology, knowing how to keep the plane in the air, and playing part-time meteorologist – flying can start to look daunting to say the least. Throw in that the cost to have the privilege of trying to make your brain explode by trying to cram in all that information is more than $75,000 and suddenly accounting is starting to look pretty attractive as a career.

The truth is, flight training is difficult and expensive, but it is worth it and there is always a way to make it happen. There are training programs available that meet the needs of nearly every aspiring aviator, but the relatively sparse funding programs are creating a shortage of full-time pilot trainees in favor of students taking a more part-time approach. These students typically take about twice as long to complete a standard ATP program of study compared to full-time students, but by stretching the costs out over a longer period of time they also typically graduate with less debt.

According to figures in Boeing’s Market Outlook for 2010 the aviation industry worldwide will require an average of 23,300 new pilots per year over the next two decades in order to cope with pilot retirements and fleet growth. While a significant portion of this expansion of the worldwide aviation market is very attractive for aircraft manufacturers and potential pilots, US-based pilots have even more going for them. In 2007, FAA pushed back the mandatory retirement age to 65 in order to cope with a similar potential shortage. While this has led to a number of furloughs among younger pilots in the short term, within the next five years nearly two out of every three pilots are facing retirement. Given such an excellent potential job market, this makes the training situation even more problematic for would-be pilots, airlines, and even aircraft manufacturers. Funding troubles aside, one thing is certain – now is the best time to start training if you have the funding.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Source: Cost blamed as training lags pilot demand
This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

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WMU College Of Aviation Donates $50,000 Flight Simulator

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Boeing 737 take off

Flight Simulator to help pilots prepare for airline careers - New GI Bill benefits flight training - image copyright and all rights reserved by Brandon Farris

Western Michigan University flight training technology will now help students at West Michigan Aviation Academy. Western Michigan University donated a flight simulator to West Michigan Aviation Academy as a part of a continued partnership between both schools.

WMU offers what is considered one of the top college-level aviation programs in the United States. WMAA became the first, and so far only, public aviation charter high school in the U.S. The school initiated classes last fall and is currently enrolling for this fall.

The simulator WMU provided has an estimated value of $50,000. The device arrived at WMAA Tuesday at the school’s location by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. On Wednesday Lennox Ramsey, a 16 year-old student at the school, demonstrated the flight simulator with instructor Keith Sutherland.

WMAA School Board President Dick DeVos welcomes the new flight simulator feeling that students will benefit the chance to “sharpen skills” needed to prepare for a career in aviation. Dave Powell, Dean of WMU College, announced plans to continue to work with WMAA as they grow and help produce a new generation of aviation professionals.

DeVos sees the simulator as an important part of the school’s training process, saying that it will have “tremendous educational use” and help students experience simulated real-world situations that will take the training out of textbooks and allow aviation concepts to be seen first-hand.

Patrick J. Cwayna, WMAA CEO, sees the addition of the flight simulator as a way of increasing the profile of the school and helping its students to attain a well-rounded education with tools that will lead to success. WMU uses the same type of simulator in its classrooms and feels the addition of such a simulator at WMMA will have a “real impact.”

The simulator teaches students how to operate a Cirrus SR20 plane, which is part of WMU’s aviation fleet. The academy already uses another simulator that serves to give students a basic idea of how a plane operates and how to handle typical operations.

The main difference between the existing simulator the school has and the one acquired from WMU is that the new simulator has real instruments and offers more of a hands-on approach to students. Western Michigan plans to bring part of their fleet to WMAA this summer, which will give students a chance to practice and hone their skills in a real plane.

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The Power of the Power Curve

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Guest author Steve Pomroy offers insights into one of flight training’s most challenging topics, the power curve.

When learning basic (and advanced!) aircraft handling, it helps to know and understand how much of a power reserve you have, and what that means to you as a pilot. It’s also useful to understand how the power required by the aircraft varies with airspeed and load factor. Building this understanding is where the power curve comes in. Learning the nuances of the power curve helps us develop an understanding of aircraft behavior and control response while we’re still on the ground. This ultimately makes our in-flight training much more efficient and effective.

The power curve is actually two curves plotted on the same axis: the Power-Required curve, and the Power-Available curve. Both represent power (required or available) as functions of airspeed.

Power required is defined as the power we need to be providing (from the engine) in order for the aircraft to maintain a constant airspeed and constant altitude. The power required is a function of the drag being produced by the airframe and our true airspeed.

Power available is the maximum power that we can produce with the engine. Although engines are normally rated for a fixed maximum brake-horsepower, the power available curve doesn’t show us constant power available—there is significant variation with airspeed. This is because the curve accounts for the efficiency of our propeller—which changes with airspeed—and as such represents thrust horsepower, not brake horsepower.

The difference between our power-available and power-required is our excess power, power margin, or power reserve. It’s possible for this value to be negative at high speeds and/or altitudes, but it is normally positive—indicating that we have access to more power than we need to maintain a constant airspeed and altitude. Our power reserve is important, since it’s an indication of how well we can accelerate and/or climb…

Read the full Power of the Power Curve article >>

This article was written by Steve Pomroy, an Airline Transport Pilot, Class 1 Flight Instructor, aviation writer, and first-time contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. Steve has been teaching since 1995 and spent 7 years as a pilot examiner for Transport Canada. He currently works for Allied Wings, where he teaches military pilot candidates on their Primary Flight Training course. You can follow him on Twitter @TheFlightWriter or find his blog at http://www.flightwriter.com.

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