Sport Pilot Talk

As you probably know, AOPA has an initiative underway to improve the quality and effectiveness of flight training. As part of that initiative, they have announced Flight Training Excellence awards, and encouraged students and graduates to fill out an online survey. The link is at:
http://cc3.luceresearch.com/Survey/intweb.dll?project=126847&imode=2.

I encourage you all to participate. Your honest feedback (both positive and negative) will help to ensure that your flight school or instructor is meeting your needs, and the needs of other prospective pilots.

Thanks in advance for your participation. Safe skies,

Paul

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The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

Nominations for this year's AOPA Flight Training Excellence Awards close in just a few days. If there's a particular flight instructor or school that has provided exceptional training, or helped you to achieve your dream of flight, now is the time for you to publicly recognize that contribution. Get your nominations in by September 1st. You need not be an AOPA member to nominate. Details and nominating survey can be found at:
http://flighttraining.aopa.org/awards.html.

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The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

Paul, I actually acted on your last post. What a disappointment. It's clear the 'nomination process' was designed to minimize the staff time needed to sift through the superficial ratings and it was not designed AT ALL to invite discriminating, descriptive comments that are necessary to identify the clever, professional and unique things individual schools do. AOPA needs to improve that process and accept that substantial staff time is going to be needed to truly sift out the few 'great' from the many 'good' programs.

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Jack
RAF Florida State Liaison
Please visit www.theraf.org

What a pity, Jack. Perhaps some pointed comments to AOPA would be in order (if we could figure out who the appropriate contact person would be).

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The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

Just did the survey. Found it very good.
It provided opportunity for general comments as to why the flight school is being nominated. Further questions provided a ranking system in different criteria. While automated, I thought it was thorough with the opportunity for general comment as well. Free commemorative coin token gift for filling out the application.

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Richard, Student Sport Pilot
Magazine Quality Photography and Imaging
http://www.agreatimage.com

Not only that, Jack. If these awards are to be meaningful, AOPA needs to divulge the criteria used in the selection process. They haven't done so.

This year's winners are now posted to http://flighttraining.aopa.org/awardwinners/2012winners.html (congratulations to those schools and instructors so honored), but with absolutely no indication as to how the selections were made. Were the awards based upon number of nominations submitted? Number of students enrolled? Of students completing licenses? Of safety record of graduates? Advanced ratings pursued? Number of students paying dues to AOPA? Buying aircraft? Becoming flight instructors themselves? Number of aircraft on the flight line? Revenues generated? In short, just what does AOPA consider worthy of recognition? It would be nice if they told us their objectives, so we CFIs and flight school operators could strive for excellence -- however AOPA defines that.

BTW, I know several of the award winners. Good instructors at good schools, IMHO. The common denominator I have seen is that they mostly represent very large FBOs. Apparently, AOPA accepts what many women maintain and most men deny: size matters.

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

AOPA is doing these awards for the second year, and has a new poll. Even if you responded last year, you may wish to do so again, as the questions appear to be different. Here's the link:

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/poll/

Safe skies,
Paul

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org