Solo Flight Academies
Registration for Project Aerospace Summer Programs is now open.
Welcome to the next step in becoming a licensed aviator! Thank you for your interest in our programs. Under the building block approach, we welcome all of our previous participants from our Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academies. If you didn’t get a chance to experience ACE, we welcome you to the OBAP family.
We have two levels of Flight Academies: Solo Flight Academy (SFA) and Private Pilot Flight Academy (PPFA). The SFA is our next level of progression beyond our initial introduction to flying through the ACE program. The solo event in the aircraft is when the pilot student is the “sole manipulator” of the aircraft (i.e. flying by themselves). The PPFA is the total experience of becoming a “licensed” pilot. Each summer season, these programs take place in 3 different locations--Dover, DE, Atlanta, GA and Memphis, TN. We are hoping to expand to other cities and OBAP encourages you to keep visiting the website to see when and where we launch our new Academies.
Both programs are designed to test your skills and capabilities and will surely be one of the most demanding programs you will undergo. Each location has its own unique syllabus to meet the objective of either getting you to the solo event or becoming a licensed pilot, but the true measure comes from the amount of work you place in the program.
The Solo Flight Academy consists of cursory and condensed ground school and approximately 10-20 hours of flight time. The actual solo event is probably the most remembered event aviators will recall. It can be equated to an infant’s first step but obviously there is a bit more at stake than just falling on your bottom. For that reason, let me reassure each parent and student that every precaution has been accounted for and incorporated within our training syllabus.
Each student will only be able to spread his/her wings as the sole manipulator of the airplane only when the "three C's" are demonstrated. They are:
Competency – you must display the knowledge of aircraft systems; understand fundamental principles of aerodynamics; and possess situational awareness
Consistency – demonstrate to your instructor that you have developed sound airmanship to create a safe and stable platform to operate the aircraft
Confidence – in your abilities, as well as, in the process strengthened by instruction, preparation and system of trust
Our Private Pilot Flight Academy program is a follow-on program for graduates of an SFA program. It covers a more extensive ground school class and between 40-60 hours flight time.
Flying a real aircraft might sound a bit daunting but trust me it is well worth all the work that you and the staff will exert. I stress this point because the better prepared you are with the groundwork, the more efficient you make of your time in the air. If this sounds like a challenge that you are seeking, we look forward in receiving your application.
If you would like more information about how you can “sponsor an applicant”, we encourage you to contact the National Office or the Director of the OBAP National Flight Academies (both addresses are located on the website in the "Contact Us" link).
Thank you.
Jeff Harrison
OBAP National Flight Academies, Director
