As part of its ongoing mission to promote aviation businesses, the National Air Transportation Association has released a "best practices" manual for flight training providers. Developed in conjunction with members of the association's Flight Training Committee, this new manual provides a benchmark for flight schools managing their operations.

The association undertook the development of this manual at the encouragement of several aviation insurance underwriters. Like other segments of aviation, flight training providers continue to see significant increases in insurance costs. By using this best practices manual, a flight training provider will be able to demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the safety of their operations.

Topics covered by the manual include recommendations for:

• Ground Operation Procedures
• Flight Operation Procedures
• Accident / Incident Procedures
• Maintenance Procedures
• Security Procedures
• Sample Aircraft Rental Agreement

"This manual provides any flight school with a tool for developing the policies and procedures that will allow them to provide safe and profitable flight training services," stated NATA President Jim Coyne. "The NATA Flight Training Committee is to be commended for its valuable input on this manual."

"We hope that flight schools across the nation will adopt this manual to enhance their businesses," stated Les Erb, President of Airgo Inc. and Chairman of the NATA Flight Training Committee. "The NATA Flight Training Committee is pleased to have helped develop this document as a contribution to an industry we all love."

Designed to be easily updated as the flight training industry evolves, the Best Practices Manual is available in electronic format as both a Microsoft Word file or PDF file.

FMI: www.nata-online.org, www.nata-online.org/2GovWatch/Archive/S.20030514.FTCManual.htm