PKL & FLEX AIR Team For FAA Pilot Workforce Development Grant
April 12, 2021
PKL Services, Inc. (PKL) and Flex Air, two San Diego-based aerospace companies, recently submitted a joint proposal seeking FAA grant funding to provide innovative solutions to offset projected pilot shortages and a lack of readily accessible pilot training within the aviation industry. The PKL / Flex Air proposal solves these critical aviation workforce development issues for a potentially unlimited number of high school students while offering ongoing professional development for teachers. We accomplish these tasks through our mutually supportive Teacher to Pilot and Virtual Aerodrome Lab programs executed by a proven, mature, ISO 9001-2015 certified and Part 61 certificated aerospace and defense industry team.
Flex Air’s Teacher to Pilot program provides affordable Private Pilot License or Certificated Flight Instructor training to high school educators along with guaranteed access to low-cost financing through Income Share Agreements (ISAs).
Paul Wynns, Flex Air’s CEO, stated “Affordability is a critical limiting factor in the delivery of flight training for educators, especially to minority populations who disproportionately lack access to traditional loans, high credit scores, or loan co-signers. We are the only industry team offering ISAs for aviation training.”
Furthermore, Mr. Wynns believes the FAA’s Workforce Development mission of bringing training to urban, suburban, and rural populations is a perfect match for Flex Air’s ethos. “We focus on superior outcomes for student pilots as recognized by an ‘Aviation Owners and Pilots Association Distinguished Flight School’ Award in 2019. Our founding vision emphasizes community, affordability, and a holistic approach that provides career-long mentorship, more than just flight hours and ratings.” All fight training will be delivered using Flex Air’s award-winning Part 61 programming as described at www.goflexair.com.
PKL’s Virtual Aerodrome Lab (VAL) uses on demand immersive simulation technology to reach a potentially unlimited audience of high school students regardless of geographical location. The VAL uses medium-fidelity virtual simulation for various positions correlated in the airfield environment with the following cutting-edge attributes:
- Gamified Computer Based Training (G-CBT) modalities
- Emergency drills simulations such as weather, safety, ground traffic, or pre-/post flight discrepancies
- A distributed system connecting multiple stations over a shared network
The VAL curriculum, anchored on authoritative FAA manuals and handbooks, incorporates these four modules: (1) Basic Aircraft Systems Overview; (2) Pre-flight Operations; (3) Takeoff, Landing, Go-Arounds; and (4) Post-flight Operations.
PKL’s Training Manager, Ms. Kim Robling, is excited to reach diverse high school populations and sees great potential in teaming with Flex Air. “PKL provides custom-built training programs to universities, government agencies, corporations, and the military via OmniSpec® – our registered Training System – which uses modern technologies like Learning Management Systems (LMS), gamified computer-based training (G-CBT), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). We can deliver an engaging, life-like experience for these emerging aerospace professionals.” To learn more about OmniSpec see our website link at www.pklservices.com/capabilities/omnispec.
Ms. Robling and Mr. Wynns were unanimous in their commitment to the FAA’s Workforce Development objectives: “Team PKL /Flex Air will provide award-winning flight training and guaranteed ISA financing to high school educators who will attain Private Pilot or Certificated Flight Instructor ratings depending on their existing flight experience. These educators, armed with real-world flight experience, will return to their classrooms to employ our team’s Virtual Aerodrome Lab (VAL) to prepare and inspire students for eventual aviation careers. Our proven virtual training system expertise will be leveraged to rapidly create an engaging, gamified, mobile-enabled aviation training environment that can be accessed by any high schooler with access to a broadband connection anywhere in the country.”
Concerning Grant timelines, the FAA solicitation document projects to announce winners in the 3rd Quarter, and allocate funding in the 4th Quarter, of 2021.
To see a previous collaborative product by Team PKL / Flex Air, entitled “The Pre-Flight Challenge,” visit https://goflexair.com/preflightchallenge. This product created virtual renderings of an authentic airfield environment and replicated a point-to-point pre-flight inspection checklist procedure, in both tutorial and assessment modes, with real-time progress feedback.
PKL Services, Inc. was established in 2003, is headquartered in Poway, CA, and provides both U.S. and Allied Military Services with experienced and qualified personnel to execute aerospace maintenance, training, and logistics management services.
Flex Air Aviation was established in 2016, and has flight schools in Manhattan, KS, San Diego, CA, & Amarillo, TX. Recognized in 2019 as an AOPA Distinguished Flight School, Flex Air provides Career and Adventure pilot training as well as Certified Instructor Pilot Training with the best flight training experts.