After lots of work with our local FAA FSDO we’ve received Part 141 approval for the first Commercial Helicopter FITS syllabus. There’s lots of information on the web regarding FITS, and we even have plenty of information on our site at North Andover Flight Academy, but what does this REALLY mean to you, the current helicopter pilot-in-training?
First and foremost, it means is that our helicopter school cares about the advancement of training within the helicopter industry. We’ve designed this syllabus from the ground up, and we’ve worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to approve this document and make it a cornerstone for “better helicopter training”. FITS can most easily be explained as moving away from training helicopter pilots for the check ride. Our syllabus is designed around scenarios designed to get our commercial PT’s (pilots-in-training) thinking about what it takes to be a commercial helicopter pilot – beyond performing maneuvers. It’s our goal to develop commercial helicopter pilots that take their training to the next step. Pilots that train “out of the pattern”.
Read our latest press release here – http://www.verticalmag.com/control/news/templates/?a=15028.
Stop by sometime, or call to learn more about our Commercial pilot FITS syllabus.
North Andover Flight Academy Receives Part 141 Approval for Commercial FITS Syllabus
North Andover, Ma., October 12, 2010 – North Andover Flight Academy, a Part 141 helicopter flight training facility based in New York and Massachusetts, has just received Part 141 approval of the first helicopter commercial FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS) syllabus. North Andover Flight Academy has proven itself to be the first to adopt scenario based training (SBT) for helicopters and is the first to develop an FAA approved helicopter FITS training syllabus. FITS training is an advanced method of teaching which places emphasis on Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM), Risk Management, and Single Pilot Resource Management (SRM) through the use of detailed scenarios.
“The Part 141 approval is the culmination of 18 months of course development and close coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. Since this is the most comprehensive FITS training course and possibly the only helicopter commercial FITS syllabus in existence we had to start from scratch. The current FITS model was adapted to reflect the strict grading requirements for Part 141 and our syllabus also includes helicopter case studies, instructor notes and scenarios for every lesson”, explains Chief Instructor and FAASTeam representative Curt Peredina. “The adoption of FITS training principles can be attained at many levels, but we’ve chosen to make it a real alternative for our Commercial students. The signoff from the FAA and the Part 141 approval validates our efforts”.
The FITS syllabus can also be used to train Part 61 commercial helicopter pilots, and the lessons contained in the syllabus may also be used in part to expand helicopter flight training for private pilot candidates or currently licensed pilots looking to enhance their current training.
North Andover Flight Academy, based in North Andover, MA at the Lawrence Airport (KLWM) is a full service helicopter company specializing in Robinson helicopter training, maintenance and overhaul . North Andover Flight Academy has additional bases in Alexandria, NY and Marlboro, MA and is also an SEVP certified international helicopter flight training facility. For more information visit their website at http://northandoverflightacademy.com/helicopter_fits/fits.html or contact Curt Peredina at 978-689-7600.
