Redbird’s ProFlight Academy.
Inside Redbird’s ProFlight Academy.
OSHKOSH, WIS. – In a joint press conference during EAA AirVenture, July 29, 2011, King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations announced that they have partnered to provide simulator-centric flight training in combination with Cessna’s scenario-based training curriculum. This will take place at Redbird’s soon-to-be-opened ProFlight Academy flight school and development laboratory. Proflight Academy will be housed in the new Redbird Skyport at the San Marcos, Texas airport.
“Solving the two major problems in general aviation, the student dropout rate and the fatality rate, requires this fundamental change in the way flight training is conducted,” said John King. “And this program is designed to demonstrate how it will work.”
“By utilizing Redbird full-motion simulators with plus 200-degrees, wrap-around visual systems, pilots will be able to practice all VFR private pilot maneuvers right in the simulator, making the time in the airplane more efficient since the student will be simply demonstrating what they have already learned in a practical scenario-based situation,” said Martha King.
“The goal is that by using scenario-based training that makes abnormal situations realistic, we will produce pilots truly ready to be pilot-in-command,’’ added John King.
Jerry Gregoire, Chairman, Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc. at EAA AirVenture.
It was noted that as an industry, we have “low-balled” the cost of learning how to fly to get students in the door. The flight simulator will not only increase completion rates, but will provide the student with a more accurate cost figure.
AOPA President Craig Fuller expressed his support for the initiative, and discussed AOPA’s research on student pilot retention. “We looked at what was and was not working,” said Fuller. “The flight simulator will attract people to flight schools.”
Pete Bunce, President of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and a former F-15 pilot, noted that the military trains pilots to go from a flight simulator to the cockpit, and “this can work for GA.” Mark Patterson of Cessna and Jerry Gregoire of Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc., were also on hand.
“We have all the big players involved,” said John King. “This is an industry initiative, not an FAA-driven initiative.”
