Drone and A&P Classes Added and Improved

By Maria Morrison

John and Martha King are celebrating their 43rd year in business this AirVenture. CEO of King Flight Schools Barry Knuttila was with them to announce their method of success and their new advancements. They accredit the business’s success to their system of receiving feedback and then adapting to customer input. Additionally, King Schools works to constantly adapt to technological advancements so that their interface matches the customer’s desires. John described how to business progressed from chalkboards to overhead projectors, then video to DVD. Now, the company is working through an online program.

All King courses are available online on any iOS mobile device or desktop. After receiving customer feedback about connectivity, King Schools made the course available offline, and the student’s progress will automatically sync once they are reconnected. This offline option is also helpful inflight so instructors can use the in-app tool to mark items to discuss in the debrief.

Other big news from King Schools was the 20 year anniversary of their partnership with Cessna. To mark the occasion, the Cessna Flight Training System, previously only offered through flight schools, will now be open to everyone, including colleges and high schools. Over 200,000 courses have been sold, which is certified in both part 161 and 141. The Cessna Flight Training System began in 1998 as an online video-based course that was installable from CD-ROMs.

King Schools also announced their new Low Altitude Airspace Notification Capability (LAANC) course as a “service to the drone community.” The free course will be offered in all FIRC lessons and as part of the $59 Drone Pilot Training course. Martha said that the FAA’s route of teaching LAANC is confusing and difficult for students, as well as time consuming. Knuttila said that King’s preferred method is to “Certify it, clarify it, make it fun, and make it free.”

Along with a need for new pilots in coming years is a need for more airplane mechanics. Boeing predicts that 101,000 new airplane mechanics will be needed between now and 2034. Therefore, King Schools is also making their A&P Mechanic course available online. This includes FAA-style questions and updated video lessons on all three A&P tests. It is designed so that someone could complete a lesson in a maximum of 15 minutes, with a five minute video and 3-10 questions.

FMI: https://www.kingschools.com/