Kingsky Blog

Flybe’s Financial Statement Reported Their Expansion Plans Held Back by a Shortage of Trained Pilots

The Exeter-based carrier’s half-yearly statement explained, “With the current market capacity growth, shortages of trained pilots are emerging that put further strain on Flybe’s ability to grow the route network.”

The regional airline is nearing the end of a three-year transformation plan, which included a brand relaunch, addressing fleet issues and exiting a loss-making Finnish joint venture. According to the statement, the remaining issue is ‘residual capacity growth’, and it’s this growth that is under strain, as shortages of trained pilots curtail Flybe’s ability to grow its route network.

The half-yearly report comes as the airline begins flying on a new route from London City to Dusseldorf, as part of its new winter schedule.

Despite increasing revenue by 12.8 per cent to £383 million during the six months to September 30, Flybe’s pre-tax profit dropped from £22.9 million to £7 million year-on-year with “business and consumer uncertainty impacting all airlines”. Flybe has also said its profits were further hindered by the fall in the pound after the referendum, which made loans priced in dollars more expensive.

Executive chairman Simon Laffin admitted the market is “tough at the moment” due to “excess seat capacity in the European short-haul market. “As passenger numbers are still rising across the industry, we see further revenue opportunities,” he added.

Sun ‘n Fun 2017 Thrills Fans of All Ages

While the week started out with grey skies and not-so-distant storms threatening to put a damper on festivities, Fun ‘n Sun 2017 was ultimately unstoppable. By Wednesday, the skies opened up over Lakeland’s Linder Regional Airport, and aviation fans of all ages were guaranteed that there would be no shortage of sun or fun. Although, anyone who neglected to pack extra sunscreen may have felt regret on Thursday morning.

This year’s airshow was bookended by appearances from Patrouille de France, the French Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration team, and the United States Navy’s Blue Angels. As such, it was only fitting that the two squadrons hooked up on Sunday to treat beachgoers in Pensacola to a colorful surprise.

But there was so much more to see and appreciate at Sun ‘n Fun 2017, and we’re glad that Flying friend, photographer and aviation enthusiast Gary Rosier was around to capture most of the awesome planes and performances.

Compass Airlines Raises First Year Pilot Pay To $41.00 Per Flight Hour

First year, First Officer pay at Compass Airlines will soon be the highest in the regional airline industry. Compass is pleased to announce that effective October 1, 2017, its first year, First Officer pay will increase to $41.00 per flight hour. Additionally, First Officers at all pay steps will receive an increase.

“The nationwide pilot shortage has made it challenging for regional airlines to meet hiring targets,” said Rick Leach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Compass Airlines. “This increase ensures that Compass remains competitive in a very difficult hiring landscape.”

“Compass has so much to offer pilots, including crew bases on the West Coast, a new crew base in Phoenix, and the opportunity to fly the Embraer 175,” added Bob Gleason, Chief Operating Officer at Compass. “This increase will really enhance our ability to recruit effectively.”

Additionally, Compass pilots will soon have the opportunity to earn a referral bonus of up to $10,000 for each successful pilot they refer to the company.

Pilot Hiring Bulletin – April 2017

VA APPROVAL

Kingsky Flight Academy is proud to announce that effective now we are approved to offer VA BENEFITS to all veterans that qualified.

Use Your GI Bill® Benefits For Flight School

Kingsky Flight Academy Academy is approved for VA education benefits, meaning you can apply your hard-earned GI Bill® benefits to help pay for flight lessons with us.

We have airplane pilot training programs and the flight environments at Kingsky deliver real world challenges to prepare you for your career as a pilot. 

We offer vocational flight training using the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. We explain everything below, but give us a call so that we can help you decide what’s best for you

Let us know if you’re thinking about using your GI Bill® under any of these programs.

SUN ‘N FUN 2018 PROJECT PREFLIGHT

Kingsky and FAA welcome you to PROJECT PREFLIGHT 2018

Project Preflight is a pilot favorite at Sun-n-Fun each year! Come and enter the FREE competition to see how many airworthiness faults you can spot on a real-live General Aviation training airplane in just a few minutes. More importantly, learn what you may be missing when you conduct your own preflight, especially if you do not own the aircraft you fly! This activity runs 0900 to 1500 daily. This is a live, daily, outdoor event. Free to participate!

Come join us for us in this fun and enlightening project.  Test your skills during your preflight and:

• Get a chance to win prizes
• Better your skills.
• WINGS credit available.

Located on the Sun-n-Fun grounds at the corner of Laird Drive and Sun-N-Fun Road.  From the admission gate area, walk east (to the right) about 0.1 mi along James C. Ray Rd. (ex-Doolittle Rd.) to Sun-N-Fun Rd, then turn left (north) and proceed about 0.2 mi along Sun-N-Fun Rd.  The FAA facility is the last permanent structure on your left, and is distinguished by a rooftop deck.  The contest aircraft is just outside the building, along the northeast corner, where Laird Drive and Sun-N-Fun Rd intersect.

KINGSKY RECOGNIZED FOR FLIGHT TRAINING EXCELLENCE BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

LAKELAND, FL – KINGSKY FLIGHT ACADEMY has been recognized for its high standard of accomplishment in flight training by The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the world’s largest aviation association. The flight school has been awarded a spot on the 2017 Flight Training Experience Awards as a Distinguished Flight School, a title given to high scoring flight schools from AOPA’s annual Flight Training Experience Survey.

AOPA’s Flight Training Experience Awards were created to highlight the best flight training the industry has to offer. “This year’s group of schools and CFIs were especially close as we analyzed the results of the 2017 Flight Training Experience Survey,” said Chris Moser, director of AOPA’s Flight Training Initiative.  “It gives me great confidence to both hear about some incredible flight training providers and to see how much their customers truly value them.”

“Always living by our three values of SAFETY, QUALITY and EFFICIENCY, we are able to provide our students with top quality training and excellence in customer service.  At Kingsky our pilots are always trained to airline standards and having safety as our main priority,” said Capt. Isaac Kelmann, Director of Operations of Kingsky.

The 2017 awards were drawn from flight students and pilots who voluntarily reviewed their flight training experience last summer through an AOPA online customer satisfaction survey. The process yielded an evaluation of 1,048 different flight schools and 2,012 individual flight instructors. 

Information about flight training at Kingsky Flight Academy is available at www.kingskyfa.com

KINGSKY FLIGHT ACADEMY AND LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

Kingsky Flight Academy has partnered with one of the largest Universities in the United States to offer their student pilots, an opportunity to get a Bachelors of Science in Aviation online while getting their pilot licenses.

After a lengthy process of approval, Kingsky Flight Academy becomes Liberty University’s flight training affiliate member. 

Now Kingsky students can earn a degree in Aviation online in less time while completing their flight training at Kingsky Flight Academy. Since the online program is year-round, as a full-time student you’ll be able to complete your degree in 2.5 years (with no prior experience).

Follows bellow some of the benefits offered through this partnership:

• Training to fit your schedule (accelerated, evenings, or weekends)
• FAA Part 141 Flight Instruction
• B.S. Degree completion in approximately two and a half years (Based on full-time enrollment)Beginning
• Fall 2018 all textbooks are included at no additional charge (including the Cessna/King Schools courses)
• Financial Aid Available
• Post-9/11 GI Bill® & Yellow Ribbon Available
• Restricted “Reduced-Hour” Airline Transport Pilot Program
• Regional Airline Hiring Agreements
• Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

“Following a never ending search for excellence in SAFETY, QUALITY and EFFICIENCY Kingsky  is attracting the interest of leading players in the aviation industry and proving more options to our customers” Captain Mauricio Kelmann, Kingsky’s CEO stated.  

With strong partners, Kingsky can now provide a complete solution for pilots, where they have the opportunity to complete their flight training, get a bachelor’s degree and finally start a career program with Expressjet, a leading Regional Airline, through our PSP agreement with airline.

Kingsky Flight Academy Named Best Regional Flight School In The U.S.A.

10-17-2019

KINGSKY FLIGHT ACADEMY NAMED BEST IN THE SOUTHERN REGION BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Lakeland, Florida – Kingsky Flight Academy has been recognized for its excellence in flight training by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the world’s largest aviation association. Kingsky has been awarded the title, 2019 Best Flight School in the Southern Region, and is the only flight school in the region to earn this recognition.

AOPA’s Flight Training Experience Awards were created to highlight the best flight training the industry has to offer. “Creating a genuine bond with a customer is crucial to creating a positive flight training experience,” said Chris Moser, AOPA’s Senior Director of Flight Training Education. “The Flight Training Experience Award consisted of four areas that were listed as critical to identify the best flight training experience; Educational quality, customer focus, community and information sharing. There is no doubt that this year’s winners have connected in a powerful way to their customers. These flight training providers are doing it right!”

“A restless search for excellence in safety, quality and efficiency is what is making Kingsky successful and nationally recognized.” said Captain Mauricio Kelmann, Kingsky Flight Academy’s CEO. “Doing things right, properly maintain our aircraft, investing in training of our instructors, having strong standardization principles, a good work environment, and always be vigilant of your customers’ needs, is the key to run a successful flight school.

· The 2019 awards were based on a research done by AOPA, about what makes the best flight training experience. The process yielded an evaluation of 972 different flight schools and 1,876 individual flight instructors. Out of the 972 flight schools, only 6 were chosen as the best regional flight schools.

Learn more: www.aopa.org/FTEawards

Information about flight training at Kingsky Flight Academy is available at www.kingskyfa.com

Will the GI Bill Pay for Flight Training?

Jobs for professional pilots are plentiful, due to many who are retiring or soon will be. For military veterans, this can mean lucrative signing bonuses and impressive salaries, but the cost of flight training can be prohibitive, and many wonder whether the GI Bill can be applied to some or all of the cost of flight school for veterans.

What Is the GI Bill?

The GI bill is a benefit earned and paid to veterans and the families of veterans. It provides coverage for some or all of the costs associated with schooling or training, including flight training. Eligibility for particular types of training depends on certain requirements, and the training you need will depend on what kind of license you want to obtain.

Eligibility Requirements

GI benefits can be used at a number of flight school programs for veterans. However, a number of eligibility criteria must be met.

First, you must qualify for either the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), the Montgomery GI Bill, or the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You must also have a valid first of second class medical to use your benefit.

Coverage Amounts

The amount of coverage you can get for flight training depends on a few factors, including the VA program you’re a member of. For example, veterans who are with either REAP or Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty will receive reimbursement for 60% of their flight academy fees.

Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill must be eligible for a particular percentage of benefits, which is based on length of service after September 10, 2001. Coverage also depends on the school and program a veteran is enrolled in, as well as how much entitlement is left for training under the bill.

Those who are enrolled in training at independent Part 141 pilot schools will receive a certain amount each academic year for the net cost of training. If enrolled at a private college or university program that includes flight training, veterans will receive up to the full yearly cost of fees and tuition and, possibly, receive allowances for books, supplies, and housing.

If enrolled in a program at a public college or university that includes flight training, the annual net cost of fees and tuition, and possibly additional funds for housing, supplies, and books may be provided.

Whether it’s a flight engineer, multi engine, B747-400, or rotary-wing certificate that you’re pursuing, the right training at a VA-approved facility is always required to receive benefits.

VA-Approved, Professional Flight Training

Kingsky is a VA-approved flight school in Florida. With over 60 years of experience in the aviation industry, Kingsky’s ownership by two airline captains means that students are always trained with the highest quality and safety standards. If you’re a veteran who wishes to use your benefit for flight training, we welcome your inquiry; call us today for more information: 1-863-248-2543.