Thousands of aspiring pilots begin a flight training program but never finish. Demands of work or family, finances, illness, a conflict with a flight instructor or a learning hurdle can keep even dedicated students from their goals. Sometimes it’s just a pause; sometimes it’s years before the student returns, and sometimes the student never does. […]
Flight School Business newsletter returns
Recognizing how important it is to communicate with flight schools, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is bringing back its newsletter, Flight School Business. The newsletter will be part of the AOPA-led industry-wide Flight Training Student Retention Initiative, which is intended to find ways to reverse a student pilot drop-out rate as high as 80%. […]
WASPs honored in ‘Legends & Legacies’ series
On Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, in honor of Women’s History Month, the public will have the rare opportunity to meet and hear firsthand from some of the women who, during World War II, took jobs traditionally held by men and the unique consequences that today would be unheard of. The two-day forum […]
Soaring Expo takes off at Museum of Flight
The world of silent flight will be celebrated at Soaring Expo 2011, held March 5-6 at The Museum of Flight in Seattle. Exhibits include full-size gliders, radio-controlled gliders and the debut of a permanent display of the museum’s record-setting Perlan I glider (pictured). Seattle-native Einar Enevoldson and adventurer Steve Fossett flew the Perlan I to […]
McCreery Aviation joins Avfuel network
McCreery Aviation Co. at McAllen Miller International Airport (MFE) in South Texas has joined the Avfuel network. McCreery Aviation offers a variety of general aviation services including maintenance, aircraft sales, parts, avionics and charter. A flight academy and a high-tech facility round out the full-service FBO’s offerings, according to company executives. “Avfuel has long admired […]
Final report on student retention online
The research study for the AOPA Flight Training Student Retention Initiative is now available online. AOPA commissioned the study to gain a more in-depth understanding of the student pilot experience. “In order to begin addressing the abysmal student dropout rate, we needed a more accurate picture of what students want and whether or not they’re […]
FAA rules for soaring at Hemet Ryan
After the County of Riverside shutdown their operations at Hemet Ryan Airport (HMT) in Southern California in October 2009, soaring pilots, with help from the Soaring Society of America, AOPA, and California Pilots Association, filed a Part 16 action with the FAA Airports Division asserting that denying their right to access at the publicly owned […]
AOPA calls for FAA to withdraw proposal to put photos on pilot licenses
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has called for the FAA to withdraw its proposal to require all pilots to obtain a photo on their pilot certificate because it adds no safety or security benefit, while adding substantial costs to pilots and the federal government. In a report at AOPA.org, association officials say that […]
Aviation contest takes off Friday
Students from 12 high schools across Kentucky will have their aviation knowledge put to the test Friday, Feb. 25, at a one-of-its-kind competition at a Louisville high school. Nearly 50 students will participate in the Skills USA Aviation Competition at Shawnee High School. The event is sponsored by SkillsUSA, a career and technical education organization […]