Testimonials
Jet Aviation Evaluates APS Upset Recovery Training
The curriculum, structure, presentation, and application of the upset training course is nothing short of amazing. The course is not simply about how to correct an aircraft upset, but understanding of forces, aerodynamics, and situations that can lead to an upset. The knowledge and confidence gained was the most productive three days of my career thus far...- Chris Vedo, Jet Aviation: ATP, CFI, Dassault Falcon 900s, 7000 Flt Hours
July 10, 2010
Embry Riddle Assesses APS Upset Recovery Training
I want to thank you for the four outstanding days of Emergency Maneuver Training I received at APS last week.
Let me say first how impressed I was with the personal treatment and attention I received from you and your crew. Enthusiasm, courtesy, commitment, and professionalism are words that come to mind when I think of the APS crew and the way you conduct your operations. It’s obvious that APS employees really enjoy what they’re doing when they come to work. I wish every small business were run as professionally and as expertly as yours.
Of course, it was the quality and scope of the training I received at APS that impressed me most. As a former U.S. Navy F8 “Crusader” pilot, I’m experienced in all-attitude maneuvering. In addition, I have received upset recovery training at Delta, United, Continental, and American Airlines. At Embry-Riddle, I have developed and regularly teach a simulator-based academic course “AS 471 All Attitude Flight and Upset Recovery.” So I already knew something about upset recovery maneuvering before I came to APS. Nevertheless, I came away from my APS training much more knowledgeable about the subject than when I arrived, particularly in the areas of cross-controlled stalls and rolling departures from controlled flight, spin avoidance and recovery, and the effect of angle of attack on roll damping, to mention just three. My training with you will make me a better AS 471 instructor. Equally impressive was the manner in which you conduct your training. You coordinate ground training with in-flight training to give your students the best possible opportunity to understand and retain the material you are teaching. The classroom instruction and flight briefs are comprehensive and to the point, and the flights that follow strongly reinforce the concepts taught in the classroom. The visual training aids – for example computer-based videos – are also extremely well done and very helpful. In short, your instructional method is highly effective.
Finally, to judge from my experiences flying with [Clarke 'Otter' McNeace], APS pilots really have the “right stuff.” At Riddle we offer an elective flight course called “FA 215 Upset Training” in our aerobatic Decathlon. In the course of conducting FAA-funded research in upset recovery training transfer, I’ve flown the Decathlon with the two Riddle flight instructors who regularly teach FA 215. These two young men are excellent pilots and very experienced in aerobatic maneuvering. Nevertheless, Otter is simply a much better stick and a more capable upset recovery instructor. I wish every Riddle FA 215 flight instructor could experience the same APS training that I received.
Thanks again for my APS training. It was professionally rewarding, and flying with Otter was a lot of fun. In my judgment, you’re doing things just right at APS. I wish you and your employees all the best in the future.
- Rodney O. Rogers, PhD - ERAU Professor of Aeronautical Science
June 12, 2010
Best Upset Recovery Course in 25 Years of Military Aviation
The level of professionalism and teaching is beyond compare. The teams ability to effectively teach these [loss of control in-flight] skills using the classroom and the aircraft truly reinforces the skills and the ability to complete them. I have completed several other upset recovery courses over 25 years of military aviation and this is by far the most comprehensive and professional training I have attended. This is truly valuable training for every pilot, at any level of experience.
Overall: Excellent | Booking: Excellent | Service: Excellent | Staff: Excellent | Flight: Excellent
- Tim Harper, 6200 Hrs, ATP/FW/RW, RC12/C12/C208
June 4, 2010
US Marine Corp Evaluation: Loss of Control Training
As an F/A-18 pilot, I thought I understood every aspect of unusual attitudes, [upset recovery], stall, and spin recoveries. I was wrong. Your program was extremely clear and concise and ensured that the maximum amount information was not only delivered by the instructor, but also retained by the student. Your instructors are extremely knowledgeable and proceed at a pace appropriate for each student. Additionally, they ensure the material taught, is understood by the student before proceeding on to additional [loss of control in-flight] concepts. I wish I had signed up for this course years ago! I now sit close to the cockpit when traveling on commercial air carriers to be within shouting distance so I can yell, PUSH- POWER-RUDDER-ROLL-CLIMB, if necessary. I know that regardless of a pilot’s previous flight experience, they can greatly benefit from the training you provide. Thank you for the outstanding training and flight experience. I will be sure to send all of my pilots through your program.
Overall: Excellent | Booking: Above Average | Service: Excellent | Staff: Excellent | Flight: Excellent
- Capt A. Espinoza: UC-12F Pilot Training Officer / CFI, CFII, MEI, MES
May 25, 2010
Integrated Upset Recovery: Boeing 767 Crew Evaluation
I cannot overemphasize this course enough. This 4-day integrated on-aircraft/FFS/CBT program is by far one of the best training courses I have ever had in my whole career. The training materials – both web and paper-based, top notch professional instructors, and helpful and supportive ground personnel make APS a real must for the professional pilot. I also highly recommend the 1/2-day 4-hour full flight simulator portion. This portion of the integrated training is where everything came together and made sense to my everyday environment!
Please give APS training top priority if you want to become a safer pilot. Thank you guys!
- Massimiliano 'Max' Salvador: 7500 Flight Hours: ATP, B-767 (Current Type), MD80, A320F
May 11, 2010
Excellence in Upset Recovery Preparation
[The APS Upset Recovery Training Course] was presented well, both practically and academically. All classroom instruction provided excellent preparation for the following flight periods. I feel that I can perform the proper recovery technique for almost all situations that I could find myself in.
This is valuable training to all pilots … I developed life-saving loss of control in-flight piloting skills.
- Wilfred Borland - 7700 Flight Hours: ATP - SEL/MEL, C-560, C-680 types, Commercial Privileges - Rotorcraft Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
April 24, 2010
Cessna 172: Light GA Private Pilot (Upset Recovery)
The course is well constructed and very professionally taught. It not only provided essential instruction in procedures for safe recovery from airplane upset conditions, which I may or may not ever have occasion to use, but also made a substantial improvement in my airmanship skills, aeronautical understanding, and overall confidence level, all of which certainly will be of use in my everyday flying. This is valuable training to all pilots.
- Bob Wise, 1000 Hrs - Private/Instrument
April 7, 2010
Citation Sovereign – Loss of Control Training
My hat is off to you folks. The whole experience was as good as it gets. [Your Instructors] should get a medal for doing this type training day in and day out, along with the rest of your staff. Some form of this (upset recovery) training should be included for all pilots.
- Neil Taylor, Rosewood Resources Inc.: 12,000 Flt Hours (ce-500, ce-650, ce-560xl, & ce-680), ATP, CFI, AI, MEI
March 24, 2010
Corporate Pilot Feedback: ATR 42/72
Your professional conduct of this training is far above anything I’ve seen in my military and civilian flying career. Your understanding and ability to communicate difficult aerodynamic principles while applying the right level of intensity to the training sets the bar very high and was a perfect cap to my recent CFI ratings. I strongly recommend your training, and firmly believe that all new pilots should have this training as a condition of certification. Finally, the training flows so well, even the lowest time pilot can follow easily.
- Kevin Fittz, Corporate Pilot: ATP, CFI-MEI, CFI-I, CSEL, Commercial/Instrument Rotorcraft
March 8, 2010
US Marshals Service – Cessna 206 Pilot
I’ve been to several other facilities for various training programs, but without question, APS is the most professional organization I have been associated with … the training that I received over the past two days has been some of the most valuable training I have ever participated in.
- Joey Hall - US Marshals Service
January 6, 2010