Teamed With Redbird Flight Sims And King Schools

Cessna has teamed with King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations to develop a program that couples guided video instruction and demonstration with simulator activity, giving customers a better overall experience while practicing various maneuvers. The program, called Guided Independent Flight Training, will launch exclusively to Cessna Pilot Centers and works with the entire line of Redbird simulators. King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations will begin delivery of GIFT systems to participating Cessna Pilot Centers in May.

“This is another way we are working to lower the time and cost of flight training while exploiting technology to continue to improve the quality of training through our CPC network,” said Julie Filucci, Cessna CPC manager. “Customers get the benefit of lessons on specific maneuvers from John and Martha King to augment their time with their own instructor, then immediately practice in one of Redbird’s high fidelity simulators. Customers choose from an extensive list of maneuvers and are able to fly the maneuvers as many times as they wish, allowing them to perfect their aircraft handling skills at their own pace in the low-cost environment of a simulator.”

All of the maneuvers required for private pilot training will be available to students through the program, such as steep turns, entering traffic patterns, and soft-field takeoffs and landings. Customers choose the topic, watch the Kings demonstrate the maneuver in flight on video, then immediately practice the maneuver in the simulator. The customer also benefits from immediate feedback through the program.

Cessna’s extensive network of more than 250 CPCs around the world was established in 1973. The average time for customers to obtain a private pilot certificate while using Cessna's computer-based instruction training course is only 55 hours. That is approximately 30 percent fewer hours than the national average, resulting in less expense for the customer and a more efficient learning process.

FMI: www.cessna.com