As business aviation continues to grow, so does the need for skilled pilots. Flight departments consider several factors when choosing the best provider to train their pilots, including expertise, leadership, the ability to expertly support pilots throughout their careers, a purposeful use of technology, and, of course, reservation availability.
Securing a Training Reservation
In recent years, demand for type rating and recurrent training has soared. FlightSafety International (FSI), the global leader in aviation training, has implemented refinements to address this industrywide need.
The company has invested in its instructor cadre, recruiting and hiring accomplished instructors and preparing them to train pilots for business aviation’s most popular aircraft. As a result, flight departments operating the Bombardier Challenger 300®, Challenger 350®, Global Express, or Gulfstream G650®, G550®, or G280® now have better access than ever to initial, recurrent, and specialty training.
Like all FSI training, these programs are among the industry’s best due to the company’s long-standing focus on ensuring the quality of instructors, curriculum, and training technology.
Skilled Instructors
The best instructors make a monumental difference in training. Their knowledge, instruction methods, and ability to bring out the best in their students affects more than just training outcomes; they are the foundation for an ongoing relationship throughout a pilot’s career. To ensure every pilot who trains at FlightSafety International receives this level of instruction, FSI specifically recruits professionals with an established record of safe flying as well as a true passion for aviation and a knowledge-sharing mindset.
Once hired, instructors go through a rigorous program to ensure they are prepared to train the pilots entrusted to their courses. The program begins with an introduction course and then moves on to aircraft-specific learning. Instructors learn first as a student, then observe another instructor teaching the material, and finally they practice delivering the course and receive feedback from an experienced instructor. Once they meet instructional readiness standards, they lead courseware with a mentor observing their first class. In addition, FSI conducts quality assurance checks throughout their tenure. FlightSafety International’s steady development of its instructors results in consistent, high-level instruction for clients. Pilots who train with FSI can be confident that they will receive the same elite instruction no matter where or when they train.
Many FSI instructors continue to expand their own piloting skills through the pursuit of Master Aviator certification. This advanced training enhances flying skills, decision-making, and crew communication to prepare pilots for a broad range of demanding, unexpected scenarios. Certified instructors draw on their Master Aviator experience when delivering courseware, sharing their expert knowledge and skills.
Challenging Courses to Sharpen Skills
While all training providers ensure a pilot trains to regulatory requirements, not all providers push their clients to prepare for the most challenging scenarios. FlightSafety International chooses to work closely with pilots along their entire training journey, ensuring they know exactly what to do in every scenario. This includes time with procedure trainers, so that when pilots step into the full-flight simulator, they are fully prepared to safely complete any task or situation.
FSI’s commitment to business aviation pilots extends well beyond initial and recurrent training. With more than 2,000 pilot courses, including Master Aviator certification and specialized programs for runway approach, cold weather operations, and international procedures, FSI has earned its reputation as the training leader.
In addition to pilot training, FlightSafety International has developed a comprehensive range of courses to address the many needs of a business aviation operation. This includes safety-focused training for maintenance technicians and cabin attendants, as well as the industry-recognized Master Technician program. Over 6,000 maintenance professionals have achieved this status, enhancing safety standards throughout their flight operations.
Training Devices That Mirror Real-World Experiences
Elite pilot training requires close alignment with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). As the first business aviation training specialist, FSI built strong relationships with major OEMs, creating approved training for more than 130 different aircraft types. Through these partnerships, FSI ensures its curriculum and training devices accurately reflect the aircraft pilots are flying.
Additionally, the best training providers invest in ground-breaking technology that advances aviation safety. For example, FlightSafety International has partnered with GE Aerospace to leverage Corporate Flight Operations Quality Assurance (C-FOQA) data to develop ground and simulator training events that address prevalent, identified risks in flying environments. FSI uses this information to better prepare pilots for industrywide threats like runway excursions and loss of control inflight.
FlightSafety International is also enhancing the training journey by more fully immersing pilots in lifelike environments. This includes innovations like mixed reality and high-resolution environmental databases, as well as emerging tools aimed at personalizing instruction, increasing situational awareness, and replicating complex scenarios to help pilots navigate increasingly congested airspace and high-traffic airport environments.
Ensuring Excellence for Flight Departments
Choosing the right training provider for a flight operation lays the foundation for safety and efficiency. While finding a partner with the capacity to handle both immediate and long-term training needs is certainly a priority, it is also important to consider the overall value that will be delivered.
As business aviation’s original training provider, FlightSafety International is a trusted resource for flight organizations that are dedicated to elevating safety across their operations. It offers pilot training for all major OEMs and supports professionals throughout their careers with meticulously designed courseware designed to prepare them for both the routine and unexpected. This renowned training is enhanced by high-quality instructors and sophisticated technology designed to realistically represent what is happening inside and outside the cockpit. In fact, based on FAA reporting data, pilots trained by FSI are 12 times less likely to be involved in an accident or incident.
FSI’s high standards are also delivered across training programs for maintenance technicians and cabin attendants, helping to reinforce a culture of safety throughout any aviation operation.
For more information on how FlightSafety International can support your flight department, visit flightsafety.com.
Bombardier Challenger 300® and Challenger 350® are registered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. Gulfstream G650®, G550®, and G280® are registered trademarks of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.