Testimonials
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
Pilatus Porter PC-6
This was my second time attending the training. [The APS Pilots] are the best instructors I have ever dealt with. In 16 years of flying this is the best course I have ever attended. This is a must for all pilots. If the FAA would mandate this training accident rates would drastically decrease. As I sat on my commercial flight home I could only pray that the airline pilots actually had even 1/2 the knowledge and edge gained from this training.
- Jason Davis, SEL, ME, RW, Commercial/Instrument. Military Instructor and Instrument Flight Examiner, Aviation Safety Officer
December 16, 2009
Challenger 300 – Sobey’s Inc.
The URT program was some of the most valuable training received in nearly thirty years of flying. I wish that I had completed the course much earlier in my career.
The APS staff was pleasantly helpful and provided excellent instruction. I highly recommend the APS programs.
- Ray Faulkner, Corporate Pilot - Sobey's Inc.
November 25, 2009
Feedback on the Free APS E-Book
CAUTION, WAKE TURBULENCE! I had planned on writing sooner. I'll tell you what convinced me that your training is on the up and up and not some overhyped, shady activity. Your e-book actually describes the recovery procedures in detail. It wasn't just a come on nor a hook to get the secret info. I don't know if you have seen all the billboards between Tucson and el Paso for "The Thing" but so often offers are reminiscent of a Carney Barker. Promise a lot -- Get your money -- then deliver a little. In the specific case of APS -- the e-book reinforces that you are truly committed to increasing aviation safety. If you weren't truly dedicated to improving safety then you would have had a book that described only the problem but none of the solutions. When I was reading the book I kept waiting for the information cutoff to occur. Would it be on page 62? When was I going to encounter the sentence "For a description of the recovery technique...Just enter your credit card number here" ?. That moment never came. What a nice departure from the normal method of selling.
Ethics are extremely important and the "Caution, Wake Turbulence" shows that your organization has a very high ethical standard. That is -- You have developed through extensive study and expense a proven method of upset recovery that benefits all aviators. You freely make this knowledge available to the public.
It is your demonstrated high level of regard for the safety of all pilots that very easily convinced me that I will take your training around May, 2010.
So thank you once again and I'll see you all in AZ sometime early next year,
PS: Around 1979 I went up with a very close friend who is now a Captain at NW to spin a PA-38 -- this was prior to the Emergency AD changing the Spin Procedures. We were very high to begin and not so high at the end with lots of rotations in between. It is an experience that has stayed with both of us all this time so I think your courses would be very nice indeed. (oh, the AD on the spin procedure came by Telex a day or two after our experience).
- Robert MacLean
November 24, 2009
Boeing 737 Check Airman
Just got a chance to catch up on e-mail after returning from a trip. I can tell you, almost every night I fell asleep with the mantra of "push, power, rudder, roll, climb" running through my mind ... after a few days to distill the training, I can now appreciate even more the benefits of your approach. First off, the training itself is first rate; the quality and knowledge of your instructors, the balanced mix of academics, pre and post briefings, the design and evolution of the sorties, et al. I honestly cannot think of a single area to improve (but don't give up). What the APS training really excels at is embedding the core principals of aerodynamics and the interface of flight controls into the active consciousness of the pilot ...
... Personally, I am extremely grateful and humbled as a line pilot to have been offered the generous opportunity to undertake your training. I will advocate for this opportunity for all the pilots I fly with who endeavor to constantly improve their skill sets.
- Bryan Burks - 737 Check Airman, Major US Air Carrier
November 14, 2009
EADS CASA C-212 Aviocar
Without a doubt some of the best aviation training I have received in my career. I am extremely impressed with both the academic and flight instruction. I have been to two other upset recovery training programs and neither came close the the understanding and correlation level I achieved from attending your program. The simple recovery technique is something I’ll be able to retain and recall when it really matters. The APS program sets the standard for what emergency maneuver training should be. Thanks, I’ll be back for future training!
- Edward Schemper (3,000 Flt Hrs)
November 8, 2009
US Army – UC-35 Citation Users Conference
I just wanted to thank you on behalf of the US Army Jet Training Detachment for your willingness to provide Clarke "Otter" McNeace to come brief at our first annual UC-35 Users Conference. The fact that you spared the time and expense of sending him shows your commitment to your customers and what it is your organization offers. Clarke was able to present in front of representatives of every UC-35 organization in the Army as well as the Deputy Program Manager for all fixed wing aircraft in the Army. We received plenty of positive comments from attendees and many expressed further interest in the subject.
Thanks again for your part in helping us make the conference the great success it was.
- Mark Gaston, US Army Conference Coordinator
November 3, 2009
US Army – King Air 350
I have attended 3 other URT (upset recovery training) courses prior to attending Emergency Maneuver Training at APS and none compare to the professionalism and experience gained from the crew here. The instructors pilots are very knowledgeable and provided the best EMT flight instruction in the aircraft and classroom I have ever received. The classroom material presented was very informative and the Extra 300L was the ultimate plane to conduct the training in without any doubt of safety or performance in question.
I would highly recommend this upset recovery training program at APS Emergency Maneuver Training to anyone seeking this type of training or experience.
King Air 200/350 Total Time: 2200 Hrs Commercial Rotary/Fixed wing, Multi-Engine Instructor Pilot, Instrument Examiner
- Eric Bull, US Army
October 5, 2009
Executive Air Safety Chairman, ALPA (2001-04)
The global nature of business and personal travel needs make aircraft an indispensable part of modern life. Aviation today is one of the safest forms of transportation ever invented. Yet every so often an airplane accident occurs. Investigators methodically examine every aspect of the ill fated flight to learn what happened and prevent reoccurrence. Over time fewer and fewer accidents occur but the leading cause remains the same. Loss of Control – In-flight is the number one cause of aircraft accidents.
Technology has mitigated many types of accidents. Only top quality pilot training can mitigate Loss of Control – in flight. Pilots need academic, simulator, and practical training to have the ability to maintain control during upsets. Whether caused by wake turbulence, thunderstorms, aircraft malfunctions, or pilot error, today’s pilots must be able fly the aircraft successfully out of the upset.
With increasing use of automation pilots must be system managers while maintaining handling skills. The balance is difficult to maintain but is essential to modern aviation. Avoiding becoming digitally dependent is necessary to successfully recover from an upset.
Professional training dedicated to helping pilots acquire the skills necessary to cope with an unexpected upset is essential. Having flown with APS Emergency Maneuver Training it is clear their training meets the need. By blending academic, simulation, and on-aircraft flight training into an effective syllabus, I think they have one of the best, if not the best, programs for upset recovery training in the world.
The more pilots that are effectively trained to recover from upsets the lower the accident rate will be. Aviation’s focus has to be on better pilot training if we are to dethrone Loss of Control – in flight as the leading cause of fatalities and hull losses in the worldwide commercial aviation industry.
Captain John M. Cox, President & CEO
Safety Operating Systems
Executive Air Safety Chairman, Air Line Pilots Association (2001-2004)
International Air Transport Association Trained Airline Auditor (IOSA)
About Captain John Cox
After 25 years as a Captain for a Major US airline John retired to become Chief Executive Officer of Safety Operating Systems, a Washington, DC aviation safety consulting firm. Captain Cox was the 2007 recipient of the Sir James Martin Award for aviation safety is and a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. A veteran of almost 40 years in aviation, Captain Cox now works with regulators, airlines, business flight operations and manufacturers improving all aspects of aviation. As a certified safety auditor, he has performed safety audits on airlines and flight operations worldwide. In 2007, the Royal Aeronautical Society published the Specialist Document “Smoke and Fire in Transport Aircraft” which he was the author. As a well know expert, he is a frequent speaker at international forums and in the media promoting improving flight safety. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of the Flight Operations Group. In 2004 the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators awarded him the Master Air Pilots Award. He has been a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators since 1991 and has been involved with thirteen major accident investigations. US Airways presented Captain Cox with their Air Safety Award in 1999. The Airline Pilots Association awarded him the Annual Air Safety Award in 1998.
- Captain John M. Cox, President & CEO - Safety Operating Systems
April 16, 2009