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Setting the Highest Standard in Flight Training

Comprehensive Programs and Services

Combining Glass Cockpit and Analog

Most new production airplanes come with the digital electronic screens to display instrument indications. Most existing aircraft today are equipped with the older analog instruments with mechanical needle indications. Many older airplanes are now being retrofitted with new aftermarket digital glass panels. Most new glass cockpit airplanes are also equipped with some analog instruments as backups for their electronic screens. For these reasons, current flight students should be thoroughly trained on both types of instrument panels.
In the Private, Instrument, Commercial or Flight instructor courses at American Air, you will receive approximately 90% of you flight training in our Piper Archer LX with G1000 NXi glass cockpit and the other 10% in our simulator which can be configured for analog or glass cockpit panels.

Upon completion of any of these courses, you will feel comfortable and competent with either type of instrument panel. Our Piper Archer LX is also equipped with weather display, traffic display and a fully-coupled autopilot. It is also air-conditioned.

Simulator

You will enjoy flying our state-of-the-art simulator with full-functioning controls. The simulator can be configured for a large variety of aircraft types – both single engine and twin engine. The simulator enables the instructor to set weather conditions and navigation situations to focus training practice in specific areas as needed. The instructor can also replay your flight path on the console chart and make a print out for you to take home and study. The instructor can setup conditions such as gusty crosswind landings, turbulence, low clouds, reduced visibility, equipment failure and more. The simulator can be “frozen” in flight to ask questions or to have ground discussion on the procedure in progress. From the instructor console, your instructor can safely initiate aircraft malfunction scenarios that would be unsafe to perform in a real aircraft. This gives you great “hands-on” experience in a safe training environment. If you have a flight lesson scheduled and the weather is unsafe, you may be able to complete the lesson in the simulator.

Ramp Power Plug In

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Learning all of the complex functions of the switches and buttons in a glass cockpit airplane requires focus and repeated “hands on” practice. At American Air, you can do a lot of this practice in our Piper Archer LX on the ground. We can plug in power to the airplane on the ramp and operate all of the cockpit systems. This makes the airplane a realistic simulator. You can operate all of the switches and buttons and see the proper instrument indications without having to fly the airplane or run the engine. You can comfortably focus on the cockpit procedures without distraction and at a significantly lower cost. You can take advantage of this valuable training opportunity anytime. This is a great use of time when the weather is down.

Audio Video Recording

Our aircraft are equipped with the latest video recording equipment to provide an audio and video recording of your flights in High Definition. After a flight lesson, your instructor can go over your flight performance with helpful suggestions on improving your skills. You will also get a flash drive copy to take home and review. This is an excellent training aid that is fun to use.

Stratus II ADS-B

Students can use an iPad in any of our aircraft and display traffic, geo-referenced moving maps with weather overlays and weather text reports. This greatly enhances safety and situational awareness.

Grass Runway

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The common method of providing the required flight training on short and soft field takeoffs and landings is to practice on a longer, paved runway and pretend it is short and soft. At American Air, you will also get to train at an actual short grass runway airport to get valuable real life experience. Most schools do not provide this opportunity. Even if you do not plan to use this type of airport, you might have to land at one in an emergency. If an emergency forces you to land at one of these locations, you want to have the confidence in knowing you have the experience and skill to do it right. All of our students have also found this to be a lot of fun!

Continuity of Training

In order to make meaningful progress with each lesson, it is very important to have to have a regular schedule of lessons each week. One factor that can interfere with flying is the weather. In some of our flight training courses, your instructor may have you fly in instrument weather conditions to complete some of the instrument flight training required. Usually this important training is performed with the use of a view-limiting device worn over the forehead to block the view outside. However, this training is more valuable when conducted in real instrument weather conditions without the view-limiting device. This will increase your confidence and comfort level in handling instrument weather conditions. If the weather is too low for instrument flight, then you may conduct the flight in our simulator. If the use of the simulator is not appropriate to the lesson content, then some of the required ground school may be completed

Our syllabus calls for extensive ground training on trip planning with thorough weather analysis and aeronautical decision-making (ADM). During these exercises, you and your instructor will choose a trip to plan, retrieve all of the appropriate weather data and analyze the information. Then, decisions are made on whether the trip can be conducted safely. You will also determine what altitude, route and time of day would be safest.

Since these important exercises are required training in our courses, it is preferable to spend the ground time on them when the weather prevents you from flying. Another option during a bad weather day may be to use the power plug-in to our Pier Archer LX  to practice the glass cockpit procedures, using the airplane on the ground as a procedures simulator. With all of these backup plans available, you will rarely have a lesson cancelled. You can keep moving forward toward the finish line while staying engaged and proficient during the process.

Thorough Classroom Ground School

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In any pilot course, thorough ground training from an experienced instructor is essential to becoming a knowledgeable and safe pilot. Many schools substitute home-study or videos for ground school.
This is adequate for preparing for the FAA knowledge test but, unfortunately, the knowledge test only covers about 50% of the information you need to know and mostly at just the rote level. This is primarily textbook information. The FAA textbooks and knowledge tests are quite often outdated in the scope of information they cover. Some of the information on the FAA test is no longer used and some current and relevant information is not yet included. In reality, flying is quite often something other than textbook in nature. You need to learn the why, how, where and when of each procedure and theory. Having this level of understanding, you can figure out solutions to problems you encounter in flight that aren’t covered in the textbook.

Some schools do conduct a quick test-prep ground school, usually on one or two weekends. This type of ground school only teaches you the test. At American Air, you will receive thorough ground training that covers the other 50% of information you need to know to be safe that isn’t covered adequately in books and videos. You will also get to ask your instructor as many questions as you like while you are learning. This isn’t possible if you are watching a video or reading a book at home. Armed with all the knowledge you will gain in ground school at American Air, you will feel very confident and comfortable and enjoy your flying a lot more.

Online ground school options

Some of the ground school sessions can be taken one-on-one online live with your instructor – Steve Shaner using Zoom. This option provides more convenience for those who travel or can’t get away from the office.

Comprehensive check ride preparation

All of the courses at American Air are designed to train and test you to a level well above that which is tested on the FAA check ride. This is the level we believe is necessary to make you a truly safe and confident pilot. Even though we aren’t just training you for a test, we recognize that some people have difficulty taking tests. The psychological atmosphere of the FAA check ride can seem intimidating and can distract you during the test.

This can cause you to make mistakes that you normally don’t make during flights with your instructor. We have a comprehensive test preparation process that is unique to our school. This process yields excellent results for our students. As a former FAA Pilot Examiner for over 32 years, Steve Shaner ensures that each student he trains is thoroughly prepared for the final test. After you complete your course of training at American Air, you will be given a “mock” check ride by Steve to see how you perform under the evaluation spotlight. This intensive exercise is designed to shake out any weaknesses that may surface during the distraction and stress of a check ride. Any weaknesses that are identified get further training attention.

The next step is for you to take a “mock” check ride with the actual examiner who will give you the official test.

This will allow you the opportunity to meet your examiner, answer questions and fly with him before taking the real test. The atmosphere and process of the check ride will then feel very familiar to you.

At the end of the practice check ride, the Examiner will give you detailed feedback on any further practice he may think is necessary. Whatever subject or skill appears as your weakest, we will work on improving it until it is your strongest.

That way you won’t feel weak in any area. After training on any new weaknesses identified, you will then take the actual check ride. You will not be asked the same questions or fly to the same areas as the practice check ride, but you will still feel more relaxed and confident going into the test. You can’t be any better prepared for a test than that!

A spacious, comfortable and quiet facility – fully equipped to provide an excellent learning environment

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American Air has been consistently improving the training environment at our facility since 1986. Our offices and classrooms are located in the south wing of the airport administration building. At American Air, you will have full access to comfortable, private study areas, lesson briefing rooms and a well-equipped classroom.

Our ground school classroom is designed for effective presentations using the latest audio/visual equipment. In our classroom, you will enjoy the comfort of padded high-back chairs and experience state-of-the-art learning through the use of numerous training aids.

Our simulator is located in a private, quiet room and is equipped with a very comfortable, fully adjustable aircraft captain’s chair. The short walkway to our aircraft ramp is conveniently located just outside of our offices. Our aircraft are located in the center of the airport, providing quick and easy access to all runways. The Downwind restaurant is located just above our offices on the second floor. The Downwind has an outdoor deck overlooking the airport and serves great food. This is an excellent place to unwind after your flight lesson!

AAFT Entry

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School and student solo flight radio communications and tracking

The flight operations office at American Air is equipped with a ground-to-air base station communications radio with a large, high-mounted antenna. This enables communication between the instructor on the ground and students out on solo practice flights up to 50 miles out. We also supervise student solo cross country flights online in real time, viewing the position, altitude and speed of the flight live online.

Observer student flights – informative, fun, and free!

Observer training

When you enroll for pilot training at American Air, you are eligible to ride along with other students as they train in flight. All students typically choose to participate in this program and take turns watching each other train. This is not mandatory and is only done with the mutual consent of both students on the flight. You can ride in the back seat while another student is receiving flight training.

During this flight, you can observe all of the flight procedures as you hear the instructor and air traffic control through your headset plugged into the aircraft intercom. You can refer to your own checklist copy and follow along through all of the steps. You can unfold your aeronautical navigation chart or use your iPad app to practice navigating during the flight. You can learn a lot on this flight without the distraction of having to fly the airplane at the same time and, it’s FREE! This is done with the agreement that the other student can ride along on some of your lessons. The student taking the lesson can practice giving the observer student a passenger briefing.

Flights with observer students onboard also provide the student at the controls with experience in flying the airplane with heavier loads. These flights are an excellent learning opportunity for both the student who is flying and the student who is observing.

Customized airplane checklists and course handout materials

Over the years we have found that the flight procedure checklists available for airplanes from the manufacturer and other commercial checklist sources are woefully inadequate. They lack several important steps and proper order and organization. A comprehensive, well-thought-out checklist can make flight training easier, safer and more efficient.
We have authored and revised the checklists for each of our airplanes and you will receive a copy of it for study and practice in our courses. If you are receiving checkout training in your own aircraft, we write a new customized checklist for your airplane and the equipment installed in it. At American Air, you will also receive a large course supplement binder filled with our unique handout materials that make learning easier and more enjoyable. These materials are constantly updated and improved.

Training materials and pilot supplies – all available at our main office sales counter

Pilot supplies

When you enroll in your flight training course at American Air, you can purchase all of your books and training materials at our school. You don’t have to drive to other pilot supply shops or order on line from different suppliers and wait for delivery.

As back-up paper aeronautical charts expire, you can get the latest, up-to-date charts right here where you fly.

Aircraft Purchase Advisor

If you are considering purchasing an airplane during or after your flight training, Steve Shaner can provide you with comprehensive information and advice. Steve can match aircraft types to your typical flight missions, advise you of the pluses and minuses of each aircraft type and go over the operational costs associated with airplanes you are considering. Steve can also point you toward the right companies for financing and insurance.

Student fellowship and mentoring

Most of the students who choose American Air are high-level corporate executives, law firm partners, doctors, business owners and other highly–educated and active business professionals. Many of our clients researched all of the other schools in the area and decided that AAFT provided the highest level of safety and quality and the best return on their financial investment. Some of our clients transferred to AAFT from other schools because they were seeking higher training standards. These men and women have a lot in common and they often develop new friendships and business contacts while enjoying their flight training at American Air. We have also provided training to youths who want to pursue a career education in aviation. Some people who have retired have successfully trained here as well. We have trained many people over the years from age 14 to age 75. We have also provided supplemental flight and ground training to some of the spouses or companions of our students who want to be able to assist in flying if needed. Some students choose to study in groups, share training experiences and offer help and support to each other. We have an interesting mix of men and women, young and old, career pilots, recreational pilots, wheelchair pilots and people who just love aviation.

Fun Factor

Even though the training at American Air is organized and structured with high standards for teaching and testing, we make sure that each flight is a fun and interesting adventure. You will have exciting flights and see wonderful sites as you learn the skills to safely fly the airplane. You will enjoy the ground training and comradery with other students as well. We work hard to make sure each visit to our school is a wonderful experience for you!

Online Schedule Monitoring

Using our online system, you may view the schedule availability of your flight instructor and the aircraft fleet anytime.

Aircraft and equipment rental available

After completing the Private Pilot course, you may rent airplanes form other aircraft rental centers with a local checkout, or purchase your own airplane for personal or business travel.

At American Air, students and pilots can also rent our simulator and headsets. You can also rent the use of our Piper Archer LX plugged into electrical power on the ground for glass cockpit procedures practice at less than half the normal aircraft flight rental rate.