AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 50

So what did the study reveal? There are four key areas that affect and/or impact the flight training experience: lack of educational quality, customer focus, community, and information sharing. In other words, students want effective, organized instruction and reliable, well-maintained aircraft. They want to believe they are getting value for their money. They want to feel a part of the aviation community, and they want recognition for their achievements within that community. And they expect flight schools to help them find the information that will help them to be successful in their training. When these things don’t exist, students aren’t as likely to follow through. Conventional wisdom blames time and money for the high dropout rate among student pilots. But this study suggests that educational quality has the biggest impact, Benson said. Does that surprise you? It wasn’t a shock to Flight Training Deputy Editor Ian J. Twombly. “I’ve been preaching to anyone who will listen that students aren’t quitting en masse because of cost,” he says. “Remember back to when you started training. Did you really think this was going to be cheap? Of course not. Neither do students today.”

model—one that creates the flighttraining experience that the survey respondents indicated they wanted to have. Boiling down attributes identified in the focus groups, the survey isolates distinct factors that define students’ expectations when they enroll in flight training. • Educational quality: Students expect flight schools and instructors to be qualified, professional, and dedicated to the learning process. • Customer focus: Students expect reliable, well-maintained aircraft; flexible and accessible scheduling; and a good value for their time and money. • Community: Students want to belong and have their accomplishments—first flight, solo, checkride—emphasized and recognized. • Information sharing: Students want flight schools to be up front about such things as costs and instructor qualifications, and to hear other students’ success stories. “The value of this study is that it’s objective,” said Jennifer Storm, director of AOPA flight training initiatives. “It has helped us focus on what students want— rather than what we think they need.” Armed with this information, the aviation community can now work collaboratively to address the prob-

lems. “We have received a tremendous response from the flight training community, which has committed to be a part of the process,” Fuller said. AOPA has set the wheels in motion. Two key components of the Flight Training Student Retention Initiative are scheduled to debut later this year. The first is the reintroduction of Flight School Business, a free e-mail newsletter for flight school owners, managers, and those who support their businesses. It will be packed with stories on student conversion strategies, marketing, products, insurance, financial topics, and staff training—essentially all of the issues important to running a successful flight school. “Flight School Business is one of many ways AOPA will address the issue of retention [of students] in the coming years,” Twombly says. “It’s important to have a high-quality, respected publication to communicate with these critical people, and we think FSB will be that publication.” Recall that community, recognition, and information sharing figured prominently in students’ ideal flight training environment. Later this year AOPA will launch enhancements to the Flight Training website (http://ft.aopa. org) offering student pilots more sup-

“I’ve been preaching to anyone who will listen that students aren’t quitting en masse because of cost.”—Ian J. Twombly
The real problem is value, Twombly says. “People will pay if they think they are getting a fair deal. And we aren’t always offering a fair deal. Schools need to be creative to make sure they are fulfilling their students’ needs in this area, and it doesn’t necessarily mean lowering prices.” Indeed, survey respondents pointed to the presence of flight simulators as an example of value, because the availability of a simulator allows them to conduct some training at a lower cost. In spite of the frustration that exists in the student pilot population, Benson said, the activity of learning to fly remains an overwhelmingly positive experience. “That finding alone is of huge importance because it gives us something we can build on,” AOPA President Craig Fuller noted during the Flight Training Summit. “It means student pilots want to like the experience.” Pinpointing these areas led to the creation of an optimal flight school
AOPA PILOT •

port and recognition. They’ll be able to track their progress, as well as gain access to AOPA resources that are pertinent to their stage of training. And, as with any motivational program, there will be incentives for participating on a regular basis. “With the Flight Training Summit in November, we kicked off a national conversation about the flight training experience,” said Fuller. “Our next steps are to involve as many in the flight training community as possible by continuing the discussion. More than 100 people participated at the November Summit, but there are many more who can provide valuable input.” Beginning soon, regional meetings will be held across the country; check the website (www.aopa.org/ftinitiative) for a location near you. E-mail the author at jill.tallman@aopa. org.

50 • MARCH 2011


http://www.ft.aopa.org http://www.ft.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/ftinitiative

AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011

AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011
Contents
President’s Position
Hangar Talk
AOPA Media
AOPA Action
Letters
Waypoints
Proficient Pilot
Safety Pilot
License to Learn
Pilot Counsel
Fly Well
Pilot Briefing
Rally GA: Help is on the Way
A Higher Calling
Out in the Cold
The Perfect Howard
GA Serves America: Back to Life
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Strange and Unusual Crashes
Crossover Classic Sweepstakes: Panel Countdown
Challenges: Thunder on the Water
Wx Watch: Zooming Through Jet Cores
Pilot Products: New Ideas
Avionics: Don’t Leave Home Without It
Dogfight: Run the Tank Dry?
Never Again
Fly Outs
Fly by Wire
Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - President’s Position
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Hangar Talk
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - AOPA Media
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - AOPA Action
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 16
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Letters
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 22
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Waypoints
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Proficient Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Safety Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - License to Learn
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Pilot Counsel
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Fly Well
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 36
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Pilot Briefing
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 42
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 44
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 47
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Rally GA: Help is on the Way
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 50
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - A Higher Calling
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 58
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Out in the Cold
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - The Perfect Howard
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - GA Serves America: Back to Life
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Strange and Unusual Crashes
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 81
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 82
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Crossover Classic Sweepstakes: Panel Countdown
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 84
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 85
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 86
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Challenges: Thunder on the Water
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 88
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 89
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Wx Watch: Zooming Through Jet Cores
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 92
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 93
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 94
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Pilot Products: New Ideas
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 96
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Avionics: Don’t Leave Home Without It
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 98
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Dogfight: Run the Tank Dry?
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 101
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Never Again
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 104
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Fly Outs
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Fly by Wire
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 108
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 109
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2011 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103_test
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011demo
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot0308
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com