ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
page 1
Flight School Association of North America
Flight School Accreditation
Application
2014 Edition
Formatted for Word
Release date: January 28, 2014
Flight School Association of North America
Accreditation Program Office
3111 Arcadia Avenue
Allentown, PA 18103
B: 610-791-4359
|
F: 610-797-8238
|
accreditation@fsana.com
 2011-2014 Flight School Association of North America. All rights reserved.
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
page 2
SPECIAL NOTE:
The 2014 edition of the “Flight School Accreditation Application” is to be used for
submission of applications and supporting documentation for deadlines in 2014.
The 2015 edition will be available in December 2014.
Read FSANA’s “Flight School Accreditation Standards” and “Flight
School Accreditation Guide” prior to making a request for application to
obtain more information on program and policy requirements and to
clarify expectations.
INSTRUCTIONS
Please read carefully.
IMPORTANT
To apply for accreditation, flight schools must:
1. Adopt the “FSANA Code of Ethics.”
2. Meet or exceed all requirements in FSANA’s “Flight School Accreditation
Standards” and adhere to its policies.
3. Meet all definitions of a flight school.
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS
1. Please make sure that the yearly edition (indicated on page 1) matches the year in
which you submit your accreditation materials.
2. Submission: All submissions shall be identified with the name of the school. After
assembling this application, keep a copy for your records (supporting documents
included) and send three sets of electronic copies (as noted on page 3) along with
one signed printed hard copy of the materials to:
FSANA
Accreditation Program Office
3111 Arcadia Avenue
Allentown, PA 18103
All items must have a response. Improperly assembled or incomplete applications will
be returned to the applicant and may delay processing in sufficient time to continue on
the schedule desired by the applicant.
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
page 3
COMPACT DISC/ FLASH DRIVE
This application and all accompanying material must be submitted on compact disc or
USB flash drive in addition to a signed hard copy. Please see details in Section 4 of the
“Flight School Accreditation Guide.” Contact the FSANA office if you have any
questions about this requirement.
TIMELINES
Applications must be received by October 1 for the Winter/Spring session, or by
March 1 for the Summer/Fall session.
ACCREDITATION FEES
FSANA members
$4,000.00
Non-members
$5,000.00
Re-inspection after failure
$750.00
Accreditation hearing travel expenses to be paid by the applicant
Applicants who select to pay the accreditation fee in full at the time of application will
receive a 5% discount. At minimum, applicants shall remit at the time of application the
minimum fee of $2,000.00 (non-members $2,500.00) which is non-refundable with the
balance due prior to site inspection.
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
APPLICATION
Instructions for filling out electronic application
The cursor should already be located at the first field of entry, “Name of
flight school.” Use the “tab” key to move from field to field (tab = forward;
tab + shift = backward).
Movement from one field to another can also be achieved by placing the
cursor on the selected field and clicking the left mouse button. Use the
space bar to place or remove an “X” in a field box.
Name of flight school applying for accreditation:
Street address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Mailing address, if different:
Name of airport/heliport:
FAA/ICAO identifier:
Flight school telephone:
Flight school fax:
If school is a corporation, name of majority stockholder:
Flight school director name:
Director title:
Director phone and ext:
Director e-mail address:
Flight school website:
This application is for:
Initial accreditation
Renewal accreditation
Change of ownership
continued
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ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
General Information
Date company was founded: month:
day:
year:
Flight school opening date:
day:
year:
month:
The business entity is a:
Corporation
LLC
Sole proprietorship
Other, please list:
(Yes)
(No)
Applicant meets the FSANA definition of a flight school.
Y
N
Applicant has at some point in time owned a flight school that has closed.
Y
N
Y
N
Flight school is compliant with all local, state and federal regulations.
Y
N
Flight school has multiple locations.
Y
N
Flight school utilizes generally-accepted accounting practices.
Y
N
Flight school utilizes electronic recordkeeping.
Y
N
If yes, explain:
Applicant has at some point in time had management responsibility
for a flight school that has closed.
If yes, explain:
If yes, number of locations:
Satellite schools physically located in:
continued
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ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
Flight School Fleet
Type of aircraft flight school operates:
Total fleet size:
Number of aircraft owned:
# other:
# leased:
# fractional:
explain:
Number of aircraft used for flight training:
Number of aircraft used for customer rental:
Number of aircraft with glass cockpits:
This is a Part 61 flight school.
Y
N
This is a Part 141 flight school.
Y
N
Flight school operates a flight training device or FTD.
Y
N
Flight school operates a flight training simulator or FTS.
Y
N
Flight school operates an in-house maintenance facility.
Y
N
Staff/Student Information
Average number of students during one calendar year at primary location:
Average number of instructors during one calendar year at primary location:
Flight school is approved for:
continued
SEVP
TSA
Veterans
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ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
Safety
Flight school utilizes an operations manual.
Y
N
Flight school has a designated safety officer.
Y
N
Flight school has a Safety Committee.
Y
N
Y
N
Aircraft airworthiness directives list
Y
N
Time before overhaul on airframe
Y
N
Time before overhaul on propeller
Y
N
Time before overhaul on accessories
Y
N
Time before other required inspections
Y
N
Flight school offers continuing education programs for students
and aircraft renters.
Y
N
Flight instructors are enrolled in FAASTeam program.
Y
N
Flight school recommends in writing that flight students, aircraft
renters, customers and prospective students enroll in at least one FAA
safety program—www.faasafety.gov and/or www.faasteamyouth.org
Y
N
Flight school complies with all federal aviation regulations.
Y
N
Each aircraft used for flight instruction and/or aircraft rental has a
complete check list for the make and model of aircraft.
Y
N
Each aircraft used for flight instruction and aircraft rental is equipped
with a complete aircraft flight operations manual (FOM). Alternatively,
each student is provided with a FOM for the aircraft they rent.
Y
N
Title of person who chairs the Safety Committee:
Instructors and students have access to maintenance records.
Accessible maintenance records shall include:
continued
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ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
All new students shall be provided at the time of enrollment with the following
minimum information:
Certificate of enrollment which states the course they have enrolled in
Y
N
The date of enrollment
Y
N
A copy of the appropriate flight training syllabus for the training
to be undertaken. This can include an FAA-approved flight training
program and/or FAA special syllabus for Part 141 flight schools.
Y
N
Established weather minimums for dual and solo flight operations
Y
N
Aircraft ground operations at the school
Y
N
Emergency procedures for working around aircraft
Y
N
Procedures for aircraft operations within the aircraft ramp and
airport ground environment
Y
N
Procedures for dealing with aircraft fires in flight and on ground
Y
N
How to secure an aircraft after a flight
Y
N
Procedures for reporting aircraft maintenance issues and how
to determine if the maintenance issue has been resolved
Y
N
Determining aircraft fuel reserves for local and cross-country
flights
Y
N
A written description of the flight schools practice area which
shall include geographical boundaries and altitudes
Y
N
A written list of communications frequencies and transponder
settings for the local area where flight training will be conducted
Y
N
All customers that are enrolled in a flight training course are maintained
on a list which is kept current at all times.
Y
N
The customer list is broken down into the various course levels.
Y
N
A copy of the schools “safety and best practices” which shall include
the following minimum information:
continued
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ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
Security
Flight school has a designated security officer.
Y
N
Flight school has a security plan.
Y
N
Flight school security plan is reviewed semi-annually.
Y
N
Aircraft keys are kept in a secure area.
Y
N
Flight school verifies the identity and citizenship of all students
and aircraft renters.
Y
N
Flight school complies with Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
regulations requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or TSA alien student training
approval prior to providing any type of flight training in which the school
or school’s instructor is doing the providing.
Y
N
Flight school shall immediately notify the TSA when a flight school
customer or member of the public provides any indication that they
could be a security risk.
Y
N
Flight school shall maintain a minimum liability insurance policy of $1,000,000
“Combined Single Limit for Bodily Injury and Property Damage” with
each passenger limited to $100,000.
Y
N
Risk Management
Flight School Association of North America and the Flight School Accreditation
Commission, and any affiliated, parent or subsidiary companies, their officers, directors,
shareholders, employees, agents, or independent contractors are named
as an additional insured.
Y
N
Flight school makes all customers aware of aircraft renters insurance.
Y
N
Flight school has an aircraft rental agreement.
Y
N
Flight school requires all aircraft renters and students to sign the
aircraft rental agreement.
Y
N
Flight school maintains a complete list of all students and aircraft renters.
Y
N
continued
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
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Flight schools shall provide FSANA on an annual basis how they make
all their students and renters aware of aircraft renters insurance.
Y
N
The aircraft rental agreement contains a minimum expectancy of conduct
for both the school to the student/renter and the student/renter to the school.
Y
N
The aircraft rental agreement includes wording that informs all aircraft
renters that aircraft renters insurance is available.
Y
N
The flight school is required to maintain, monitor and retain the following data on file
for each customer. This data may be saved in a manual or electronic format:
Copies of all aircraft renters and student information
Y
N
Copies of all customer pilot certificates
Y
N
Copies of all customer medical certificates as required by the FAA
Y
N
Copies of drivers license or valid government-issued pictured
identification for all students and aircraft renters
Y
N
A flight hour currency file for all students and renters
Y
N
Medical currency records for all students and aircraft renters
as required by the FAA
Y
N
Flight school complies with the “FSANA Code of Ethics.”
Y
N
Flight school maintains a business plan.
Y
N
Flight school business plan is reviewed quarterly.
Y
N
Flight school maintains a marketing plan.
Y
N
Flight school marketing plan is reviewed semi-annually.
Y
N
Flight school teaching staff attends an annual personnel review.
Y
N
Flight school non-teaching staff attends an annual personnel review.
Y
N
Flight school personnel reviews are documented and made a part of
a permanent employee or contractor file.
Y
N
Business Practices
continued
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
Flight school has written guidelines for introductory flights for
prospective students.
page 11
Y
N
Flight school’s deposit, refund and cancellation policy.
Y
N
Flight school’s refund policy provides for a pro-rated portion of
all prepaid funds.
Y
N
Price list for both hourly and package rates.
Y
N
Course description of the pilot certificate and/or aircraft rating
program for which the customer is planning to enroll.
Y
N
Notification that all flight training received is in accordance with
FAA regulations.
Y
N
Notification that all flight training will be logged in their log books.
Y
N
Notification that all flight training received and logged will be
transferable to all FAA Part 61 or Part 141 flight schools.
Y
N
Notification that the flight school does not guarantee any form of
employment upon successful completion of any pilot certificates
or ratings.
Y
N
Flight school’s credit transfer policy for students enrolled in a
program which offers college credits.
Y
N
Notification that each student pilot is unique and that there are no
guarantees that a person will become a pilot by taking flight lessons.
Y
N
Notification that they may not be qualified candidates to continue
flight training which would lead to earning a pilot certificate.
Y
N
Flight school follows “generally-accepted accounting procedures” (GAAP).
Y
N
Flight school has submitted a letter to the Commission from their
accountant or bookkeeper stating that the school follows GAAP.
Y
N
Flight school provides each customer with the following minimum
information in writing at the start of all flight training:
Finance and Accounting
continued
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
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Flight school complies with Internal Revenue Service guidelines
for record retention.
Y
N
Flight school prepares an annual financial statement.
Y
N
Flight school has submitted a letter from their accountant or
bookkeeper on an annual basis which confirms the preparation
of an annual financial statement.
Y
N
Flight school accepts advance deposits for services to be conducted
in the future.
Y
N
Flight school has a separate ledger account for customers who
provide advanced deposits.
Y
N
Flight school sends a monthly account statement to the customer or
provide one to the customer upon their request.
Y
N
Flight school complies with the Tier 1 standards when customers
provide advance deposit of funds up to $1,000.
Y
N
Flight school complies with the Tier 2 standards when customers
provide advance deposit of funds between $1,001 - $5,000.
Y
N
Flight school complies with the Tier 3 standards when customers
provide advance deposit of funds that exceed $5,000.
Y
N
Y
N
Flight school has in place a process whereas the withdrawing of
escrowed monies from customer escrow accounts in Tier 3 shall be
timed to coincide within a reasonable time period based on the date
that the services are provided.
Y
N
Flight school agrees to create a financial insolvency plan to rectify
customers account when advanced deposits are accepted.
Y
N
Flight school has determined whether contracting instructors or
employees shall be used in order to comply with federal and state
regulations.
Y
N
The wording on the flight training escrow account read as follows:
The “customer’s name” and the “legal name of the flight school”
continued
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
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Education
Flight school has a flight instructor mentoring program (FIMP) for
all newly-certificated flight instructors.
Y
N
Flight school maintains records of all flight instructors in the FIMP
along with the name of their mentor.
Y
N
Flight school records the date the instructor entered the FIMP.
Y
N
Flight school utilizes a professionally-developed training syllabus
developed by a third party.
Y
N
Flight school utilizes a professionally-developed training syllabus
developed by the flight school.
Y
N
Y
N
Flight school offers ongoing aviation education to their students
and aircraft renters.
Y
N
Flight school recognizes the need for continuing education with
respect to all aspects of their business.
Y
N
Flight school provides ongoing education for their staff.
Y
N
Flight instructors receive a minimum of 12 hours of non-flight
continuing education units (NFCEU) each calendar year.
Y
N
Flight school promotes the use of FTD and FTS simulation devices
for both prospective, student and certificated pilots.
Y
N
Provide the name(s) of all syllabi that is utilized at the school:
Flight school maintains a paper or electronic system to record
student progress.
Describe the system used to track student progress:
If yes, please describe how you promote the use of the devices:
continued
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
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Customer Satisfaction
Flight school has a customer feedback program (CFP).
Y
N
The CFP is clearly communicated in writing to customers.
Y
N
The CFP provides for compliments.
Y
N
The CFP provides for concerns.
Y
N
The CFP provides for other issues.
Y
N
If manual, the feedback form is placed in a secured and
locked container.
Y
N
Flight school owner receives the customer feedback information.
Y
N
Flight school manager receives the customer feedback information.
Y
N
The CFP tracks all customer feedback.
Y
N
All customer feedback received is date and time stamped.
Y
N
Flight school management responds to all customer feedback
within 72 hours.
Y
N
The school maintains customer relationship management (CRM)
information for each customer and prospective customer.
Y
N
The school retains all customer data for at least four years.
Y
N
The school utilizes a new-customer/prospect intake form.
Y
N
Describe how the CFP is operated:
The CFP is:
electronic
manual
List others who receive the customer feedback information:
The CRM data is maintained:
continued
electronically
manually
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
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The following is a minimum list of information that shall be documented on the newcustomer/prospect intake form when a prospective customer makes first contact with the
flight school. This requirement shall be met for all introductory flights.
Is the customer a United States citizen?
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Has the customer ever flown in an airplane?
Y
N
Has the customer ever piloted an airplane?
Y
N
What are the customer’s goals?
Y
N
Which pilot certificates and/or ratings does customer want to attain?
Y
N
Student Pilot
Y
N
Sport Pilot
Y
N
Recreation Pilot
Y
N
Private Pilot
Y
N
Commercial Pilot
Y
N
Airline Transport Pilot
Y
N
Flight Instructor
Y
N
List other(s)
Y
N
Does the customer want to attain their first solo flight?
Y
N
Does the customer intend to pilot aircraft as a career?
Y
N
How did the customer find the flight school?
Y
N
Does the customer know any pilots?
Y
N
Are there pilots in the customer’s family?
Y
N
If no, the customer shall follow the process as outlined by the
U.S. government in order to comply with all required regulations.
Does the customer hold any FAA pilot certificates?
If yes, list all certificates:
continued
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
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Use of Accreditation Logo
Flight school agrees to comply with all policies and procedures
with respect to the use of the accreditation logo.
Y
N
IMPORTANT: All questions must be answered, as well as all required
material submitted. If a question is not applicable, please indicate N/A.
Improperly assembled or incomplete applications will be returned to the
applicant. Related delays could result in an inability to complete
processing in sufficient time to continue on the schedule desired by the
applicant.
The signatures of the flight school director, chief executive officer, president or principal
officer are required on the hard copy of the application. These signatures certify the
following:
1. We will abide by the “FSANA Code of Ethics” and the “FSANA Flight School
Accreditation Standards.” We, the undersigned understand that non-adherence
may be cause for suspension or revocation of accreditation.
2. Our flight school has formally considered and approved the submission of this
application and has authorized and directed the staff to carry out the procedures
for applying for accreditation.
3. Our flight school staff will cooperate fully with the Accreditation Commission
mentor and Visiting Committee and will take no action to circumvent or obstruct
the accreditation process and/or policies.
4. We profess that the answers and materials provided are truthful and accurate to
the best of our knowledge and ability.
5. The undersigned has the authority to execute this application on behalf of the
applicant.
Signature of executive/officer
Title:
Date:
Please make checks payable to: FSANA
3111 Arcadia Avenue
Allentown, PA 18103
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION
END OF APPLICATION
Flight School Association of North America
Accreditation Program Office
3111 Arcadia Avenue
Allentown, PA 18103
B: 610-791-4359
|
F: 610-797-8238
|
accreditation@fsana.com
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