AvSport of Lock Haven -- 353 Proctor Street, Lock Haven PA 17745
Flight Instruction at AvSport of Lock Haven
Meet the AOPA Jay Flight Simulator by Redbird
Meet the AOPA Jay Flight Simulator by Redbird
Gaining and maintaining pilot proficiency requires consistent flying and frequent practice. Airlines and the military have long recognized that flight simulators play an important role in both the acquisition and retention of flying skills. Unfortunately, the FAA-certified full-motion training devices they employ are priced on a par with the average Light Sport airplane -- well beyond the resources of AvSport, or most other small flight schools.
At the other end of the spectrum, many pilots have found flight simulation video games on a personal computer useful in reviewing procedures and maintaining a semblance of flight currency when the weather isn't fit for flying. Free-flight mode on such a device allows you to punch holes in the sky and enjoy some of the pleasurable aspects of flight, without burning any avgas. But, without structured curriculum and scenario-based training tools, flying a personal computer is of questionable educational value.
AvSport has embraced a middle ground, thanks to the introduction of AOPA's Jay flight simulator by Redbird. The Jay is definitely not an FAA approved training device, which means it can't be used for logging hours or approaches toward a rating, or for meeting legal currency requirements. It is, however, a scenario-based training system which allows the student (or the licensed pilot, or the prospective flyer) to test his or her skills in a variety of aircraft, flying a variety of routes, under varying weather conditions, with the machine providing constant visual, tactile, and verbal feedback. In other words, the Jay is the ideal electronic combination of aircraft, airspace, and flight instructor. And, although hours spent flying the Jay don't count toward your license *, they promise to reduce in-aircraft training time by helping you to gain proficiency in the tasks you find most challenging. After all, it isn't hours in the logbook, but rather skill with the stick, that really counts.
Aircraft that our Jay will let you fly in simulation currently include:
Additional aircraft are added from time to time, as simulation models become available. You can equip your virtual panel with anything from simple round gauges to the most advanced Garmin 1000 glass cockpit.
Hardware by Redbird. Software by Lockheed Martin. Scenarios from AOPA. Flight instruction from AvSport. It doesn't get much better than this.
* Disclaimer: The JAY is not approved or certified by the FAA or any other foreign government or entity for use in flight training to satisfy required proficiency time, instrument experience, training for certificates or ratings. The use of the JAY for the foregoing purposes is not approved and should not be so used.
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Introducing the AvSport Flight Simulator Club Like a gym or country club membership, AvSport is making unlimited simulator use available to a limited number of interested pilots and prospects for a flat annual fee. Our Simulator Club annual membership dues are priced at the cost of just a single hour of flight time in the typical trainer aircraft. The simulator is installed in the Pilot Briefing room, Hangar One at the Piper Memorial Airport, so as to be available for your use any time during normal airport business hours (currently 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays, and 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends). A free introductory Simulator Club membership is being provided to all student pilots currently enrolled in one of AvSport's intensive training courses. The AOPA Jay simulator by Redbird was unveiled at the Sun-n-Fun fly-in in April 2013. Recognizing the training potential of this new system, AvSport ordered early, taking delivery of one of the very first Jay simulator systems in May of that year. Since then, we have continued to upgrade hardware and software from time to time. The unit is currently in use by our students and Simulator Club members. Official takeoff occurred at Lock Haven's annual Sentimental Journey fly-in in mid-June, 2013. You can now secure your Annual Simulator Club Membership through the link below, ensuring you priority access to the Jay on a calendar year basis. And, we have set aside a very limited number of Simulator Club Life Memberships, allowing perpetual access to this Jay simulator, or any subsequent simulator AvSport may acquire in the future. Email AvSport's Chief Flight Instructor at fly_at_AvSport_dot_org for details. Students and Simulator Club Members are respectfully requested to restrict their usage to one hour per session, whenever others are waiting to use the simulator. |
- AOPA Pilot: Flight school forms simulator club (July 2013)
- Lock Haven Express: Flight Simulator Lands at Piper Airport (15 June 2013)
- AOPA Flight School Business: Flight school forms simulator club (4 June 2013)
- AvSport of Lock Haven Simulator Club Advertisement (updated December 2021)
- Lock Haven Express: Local flight school to add simulator training (18 May 2013)
- Downloadable Simulator Club photos
Simulator Club Annual Memberships
| AvSport is accepting Annual Memberships in our Flight Simulator Club, with dues set at just $180 per year (which includes 6% state sales tax). These Memberships will run through the end of the calendar year in which purchased. We reserve the right to limit the number of Annual Memberships offered, so as to assure maximum simulator availability to all of our members. (We may choose to add more simulators in the future, as demand dictates.) Our Simulator Club was formally announced on 15 May 2013, and we offered Charter Life Memberships through the end of 2014. Though that window of opportunity has closed, we will continue to offer a limited number of Life Memberships for $1000, on a first-come, first-served basis, until we reach our capacity limit. Or, you may still purchase an Annual Membership at the prevailing rate. Your check for $180, made out to AvSport Simulator Club, includes your annual dues and sales tax, securing your membership for the current calendar year (or, you may remit via credit card using the secure PayPal service, by clicking the link below). AvSport's flight simulator is logon-protected, with an annual access password supplied to all AvSport students and Sim Club members. Feel free to contact our Chief Flight Instructor for further details |
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| Give a loved one a Gift Certificate for an annual Simulator Club membership. You may order through the mail, paying with a check in the amount of $180, drawn on any US bank or US Correspondent bank. Or, you may remit by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Express) using the secure PayPal payment service, by clicking on the graphical link below. Be sure to indicate the names of the giver and recipient with your order, as well as a postal address to which the gift certificate should be sent. |
Simulator Training Textbook
For formal scenario-based simulator training, AvSport uses as its textbook Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Pilots: Real World Training, by Jeff Van West and Kevin Lane-Cummings. Van West is currently Director of Redbird Media. Though originally written for use with FSX, the exercises in this book are fully compatible with the Lockheed-Martin Prepar3d software powering our Redbird Jay simulator.
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How to operate AvSport's Jay Simulator
Notice: These documents are provided to AvSport students and Simulator Club members for informational purposes only, and are not to be considered a substitute for formal flight and ground training with a qualified instructor. They are Copyright © by their respective authors and/or publishers.
(SportStar simulation code courtesy of KC Flight Shop)
AOPA Interview with Redbird Media's Jeff Van West
If you can drive, you can fly!
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| Copyright © AvSport LLC, a subsidiary of Microcomm Consulting This page last updated 1 January 2024 |
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