Flight School Update
FSANA has and will always encourage flight schools to deploy safety, security and best practices as top priorities. Each flight school has their own, unique set of operational practices to follow based on a variety of items including but not limited to location.
FSANA encourages all flight schools to comply with the Department of Homeland Security's CISA Agency definition of Critical Infrastructure and all State Executive Orders.
As the only fully-dedicated trade association for the flight training industry, it is important to keep our members and others up to speed on what is happening. COVID-19 has become a very big challenge for many flight schools as well as all types of businesses.
FSANA is working with members around the country to leverage the utility of and the opportunities that flight training providers can offer to our nation during this critical time. Being a part of the essential infrastructure and keeping our air-based transportation and distribution networks healthy for current and future national needs.
FSANA Sends Letter to President Trump
FSANA has sent a letter to President Donald Trump offering the services of FSANA member flight schools. Participating schools would fly needed medication from central distribution points to individual communities to expedite the potential saving of thousands of lives.
The essential flight training infrastructure, including aircraft and flight crew, stands ready to pick up and deliver medicine. Many schools are prepared to deploy their aircraft, pilots and services in this time of national emergency.
CISA Update - COVID-19
Updating data previously provided, FSANA has had direct communication back from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in response to the letter submitted by Attorney Greg Winton, founder and CEO of The Aviation Law Firm based in Annapolis, MD. Winton wrote a memo to CISA and re-affirmed their guidance on flight schools and personnel engaged with airman certification and licensing.
Mar. 28, the CISA director confirmed the essential transportation infrastructure determination that was noted and even went so far as to update the CISA memorandum on this topic to recognize.
FAA Update - COVID-19
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been sending memos on various topics of national interest. FSANA will continue to bring this information to you as it becomes available. A few links that flight training operators might currently find helpful include:
Information for airports sponsors considering actions based on COVID-related issues
Considerations for state, local, and territorial governments implementing screening, movement, and access restrictions that may impact air transportation
FAA Grants Temporary Halt on the Enforcement of Expiring Medical Certificates
FAA Provides Relief from Part 135 Currency Mandates
From the FAA: Exemptions, Deviations and Other Virus Related Information Guidance on Part 145 Repair Stations, Part 147 AMTs, Training Exemptions
FAA Issues Memorandum Allowing DPEs to Continue if Oversight Lapses – “Flight Standards Designee Oversight and Recurrent Training requirements related to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”
FSANA COVID-19 Resources
FSANA is in the process of developing resources that will be provided to members specifically relating to operations, considerations, and relief relating to COVID-19 related operations effects. FSANA staff and partners are working to provide:
- Guidance and potentially a webinar describing available resources generated to provide financial relief based on recent legislation. This will include information and discussion related to staff lay-offs, potential payroll relief, deferred payment options, small business loan and/or grant opportunities, and other potential resources.
- Sample letters that could be used by employers to provide essential staff documentation needed in locations where travel restrictions are imposed.
Established in 2009, the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) is the first and only association of its kind dedicated solely to the flight training industry. FSANA represents flight schools, firms that provide products and services to the flight training or aviation industry, and other supporting partners.
The Mission of the Flight School Association is to support, promote and advocate for the business of flight training; to provide knowledge, programs and services that help its members thrive and better serve their customers and communities; to foster best business practices; to educate and inspire youth; to increase the global pilot population; and to work in alliance with the aviation and aerospace industry.
