FlyQuest

Mission Statement:
Promote aviation and make it accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, with an emphasis on responsibility, safety, and service to the local community.

Location:
FlyQuest’s initial location will be collocated with our partners CFM and the Wings of Eagles Flight School at the Huntsville International Airport in the former NASA Hangar. Eventually FlyQuest will support or help support activities at other geographies.

Core Values:
Honesty
Safety
Community
Professionalism
Education

Youth Education Programs:
FlyQuest provides an exciting and structured educational environment for young individuals to learn about aviation, the airplane, and the associated sciences. Various levels of training and programs are offered, tailored to the student’s personal needs and objectives.

Age Appropriate Ground Schools – Stimulate students of various ages to learn about the science, theory and practical knowledge required to operate aircraft. In addition to the physics of flight, students will learn communication, teamwork, airspace, aircraft systems, use of checklists, task prioritization, risk management, etc.

Three (3) Levels of ground training are offered:
✴ Level 1. Ages 9 and up
- Intro to Airplanes, Basic level introduction to airplanes
✴ Level 2. Ages 14 and up
- Aviation Science
- Part 1, History, Principles
- Part 2, Aerodynamics, Basic Private Pilot coursework
(Portions of Part 2 coursework may be credited to the Private Pilot Ground course.)
✴ Level 3. Ages 15 and up
- Private Pilot Ground School
- Coursework necessary for pilot certification
- FAA Written test preparation

High School Classes – FlyQuest partners with some schools to provide high school level coursework for credit towards a diploma.

Aviation College Preparation – FlyQuest partners with aviation colleges to provide classes that allow a prioritized admission into Aviation Colleges and the ability to take tests for credit towards an aviation degree.

Continued Flight Training – Upon completion of requisite youth education, youths may participate in adult education and aircraft services as appropriate for their age (see below).

Youth Activities:
FlyQuest youth activities help introduce students to aviation and inspire them pursue flight education and training.

Discovery Flights – FlyQuest offers discovery flights for youths to experience the joy of flying through volunteers and partner organizations.

After School and Summer Programs – Students can participate in after-school programs during the school year or all day programs during the summer to build specific skills. FlyQuest can offer once-per-week programs through the summer as well as intensive one week or two week events.

School Field Trip Support – FlyQuest can support schools that wish to add a hands-on aircraft experience for their students by allowing groups of students to get to see and touch real aircraft and learn the different parts of an aircraft as well as airport operations (e.g. control tower tours, maintenance facilities, FBO) that help make aviation work.

Onsite School Programs – FlyQuest staff can visit schools in to help bring attention to aviation, encourage aviation interest, and the accessibility of recreational aviation for everyone.

Teach the Teacher – FlyQuest can provide educational seminars and materials to elementary and secondary level teachers to stimulate study in aviation, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Birthday Parties – FlyQuest can host aviation themed birthday parties that include a flight for the birthday boy or girl and two of their friends.

Aviation Programs and Services:
Introductory Flights – FlyQuest provides, through volunteers and partner organizations, introductory educational flights for anyone interested in experiencing flight and learning about flight training.

Aircraft Rental – FlyQuest’s partners provide rental aircraft to any licensed pilot who has completed an appropriate checkout. The rental fleet includes “round dial” and “glass cockpit” aircraft. FlyQuest members enjoy discounts on aircraft rental at partner organizations.

Ground and Flight Training – FlyQuest’s partners provide flight training using a combination of leased aircraft, desktop and full motion flight simulators with best-in-class course syllabi and support material as well as professional, experienced, and knowledgeable flight instructors to provide the most cost effective training solution for student pilots and those pilots seeking additional ratings. Emphasis is placed on balancing classroom, one-on-one, home study, flight simulation, and in-aircraft training. Additionally, classroom ground schools are offered for Sport and Recreational, Private, Commercial, Instrument, Flight Instructor and Airline Transport Pilot certifications as demand dictates, assisting in preparing for the appropriate FAA written test.

Flight Training Devices (FTD) and Simulation – Advanced training devices and simulators may be available for higher level coursework such as instrument pilot training, advanced system training, instrument proficiency checks, and proficiency training.

Checkrides – To facilitate the FAA pilot certification process, an independent FAA Designated Pilot Examiner is conveniently available to provide the requisite practical test checkride following course completion.

Flight Reviews and Proficiency– Our instructors can provide the necessary training for FAA flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks, and other proficiency and currency flights in managed or individual airplanes. FlyQuest offers ground courses and flight training that provide credit for the FAA’s WINGS program through FAASafety.gov.

Aircraft Ownership Assistance – FlyQuest, through its partner organizations, will help individuals or groups acquire and manage aircraft either singularly or as part of an aircraft club. If you have thought about purchasing an aircraft or a share of an aircraft, FlyQuest can help you in that process and you can benefit FlyQuest’s non-profit mission by contacting us for your needs.

Aircraft Charter Brokering – Through its partners, FlyQuest can arrange aircraft charter services. Booking your charter needs through FlyQuest supports FlyQuest’s non-profit operation.

Aircraft Cleaning – FlyQuest will offer aircraft cleaning services for base and transient customers. These services benefit FlyQuest’s non-profit mission.

Differentiators
FlyQuest differentiates itself and complements traditional flight training programs by leveraging technology to help provide a safer, more streamlined path to certification for both youth and adult programs.

First to Last – FlyQuest brings more students into flight training by offering activities to a younger age group that foster interest in flight and structure a program to keep students engaged and motivated all the way through successful pilot certification.

Community Service – Community service is an integral part of FlyQuest’s vision for bringing aviation to people who might otherwise be unable to experience the magic of flight. Our programs offer an alternative after school activity that builds valuable life skills and marketable abilities.

Promoting the Aviation Community – FlyQuest will use technology to help encourage more aviation activities such as fly-ins, fly-outs and ride sharing to encourage pilots to utilize their certificates.

Flight Simulator Training – Students learn basic flight training using desktop flight simulation tools such as X-Plane and/or Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Advanced simulation tools such as approved personal computer based aviation training devices (PC-ATD) and/or higher-level flight training device (FTD) simulation systems may be incorporated in advanced level coursework.

Full Motion Flight Simulation – For more advanced students, access to full motion flight simulation will provide a more realistic introduction to aviation than just desktop simulation environments.

Use of Volunteers – FlyQuest leverages the work of volunteers to help support its programs, in some cases providing flight time in exchange for contributed volunteer hours.

Organization and Structure
FlyQuest is an Alabama not-for-profit corporation with IRS non-profit treatment under section 501(c)(3). It is led by a seven-member board of directors of aviation enthusiasts and community leaders as well as a full time executive director.

Sources of Funding
As a non-profit with community focus, FlyQuest is dependent upon the support of local members and corporate sponsors as well as its income generating activities. Anyone can become an individual or corporate sponsor of FlyQuest and receive benefits for doing:

General Individual Membership Options -
FlyQuest offers two different categories of memberships: Ground Crew Memberships for non-flying members, and Flight Crew, for pilot, or aspiring pilot members.
• Student Memberships – available to full-time college and high school students
o Cost - $50, Flight Crew, $25 – Ground Crew
o Covers one current student
Invitations to members only events
Quarterly Fly-Quest newsletter
Free admission to fly-in’s and open house
Reduced rates for Fly Quest ground schools and seminars
Discounts on publications and training manuals
Discounts on purchases from Fly Quest’s pilot shop
Discount off discovery flight or aircraft rental (Flight Crew only)

• Individual Membership – (non student)
o Cost -$100 Flight Crew, $100 – Ground Crew - $50
o Covers one person
Invitations to members only events
Quarterly Fly-Quest newsletter
Reduced rates for Fly Quest ground schools and seminars
Free admission to fly-in’s and open house
Discounts on publications and training manuals
Discounts on purchases from Fly Quest’s pilot shop
Half price discovery flight or discounted aircraft rental (Flight Crew only)
Discounts at other Huntsville attractions and businesses

• Family Membership –
o Cost - $200 – Flight Crew; $100 – Ground Crew
o Covers two adults and (up to four) children under 18, or two grandparents and grandchildren under 18. Additional family members can be added for $20/ea (Flight Crew) and $10/ea (Ground Crew)
Invitations to members only events
Quarterly Fly-Quest newsletter
Reduced rates for Fly Quest ground schools and seminars
Discounts on publications and training manuals
Free admission to fly-in’s and open house
Discounts on purchases from Fly Quest pilot shop
Half price discovery flight for two family members or discounted aircraft rental
Discounts at other local area attractions and businesses

Premium Membership Options
• Flight Club
o Cost $500 per year
o All family membership benefits
o 10% Discount on flight training and aircraft rental through partner organizations.

• Friend of Flight
o Cost $1000 per year
o Covers two named members for Flight Club membership
All of the Family Membership options
Plus:
• Annual Cocktail Dinner Gala with Executive Director and board members
• Name listed on Fly Quest “Friends of Flight” “wall
• Free admission to seminars
• Two free discovery flights
Scholarship Options
In addition to membership, anyone can sponsor a scholarship, named in his or her honor or dedicated to the person of the donors choosing. The donor can establish any special qualifications or requirements for the scholarship to be used by the board and executive director in selecting an applicant.
• Aviation Mentor –
o Cost $2,500
o Special plaque for recognition
o One scholarship of your choice in your name that can be used for after school programs, summer programs, ground training

• The Sky’s the Limit
o Cost – any amount $5,000 or above
o Special plaque
o Scholarship(s) determined by you and the Fly Quest board and awarded in your name based on your criteria. Some examples are:
$5,000 – Ground school and 25 hours flight training
$10,000 – One student from zero hours through private pilot
Fly Quest’s Corporate Membership Partners Program
An annual contribution as a Corporate Fly Quest Member represents an investment that benefits our community in the following ways: to provide training and/or scholarships opportunities for youth with a desire to enter the aviation industry (particularly disadvantaged youth), to help promote a knowledge base that keeps pace with aviation’s continual and rapid advancement for general aviation enthusiasts, students, general aviation pilots, aircraft designers and builders; and to educate the general public on the importance of aviation contributions to the community.
Because of the size and nature of a corporate investment, Fly-Quest is committed to providing them with a customized package of benefi¬ts that suits a company’s individual needs. Among many of the potential benefits are:
• Recognition in Fly Quest’s quarterly newsletter
• Reduced rates for aircraft rental, training, and supplies
• After -hours events
• Discounts on annual memberships for employees
• Link from website
• Logo on Fly Quest brochures, t-shirts, and other marketing materials
• Invitation to VIP events
• On-site training / seminars
• Sponsorship opportunities for program and fundraising events
• Sponsorship opportunities for scholarships

FlyQuest will host an annual Fly-In with recognized guest speakers to promote its activities among the aviation community.

FlyQuest's initial funding will be through a $250,000 capital campaign which will used to purchase equipment and to seed the FlyQuest endowment.

Community Participation
Supporting the community is a core mission of FlyQuest. Students ages 14 to 21 may apply for community scholarships in which they can provide volunteer community services through FlyQuest partner organizations and be rewarded with courses, flight time, aircraft training and other benefits based on the hours volunteered. Priority is given to those with financial need, volunteer service, and demonstrating commitment and aptitude in flight education. A committee appointed by the Board of Directors selects finalists for scholarships. Students apply for scholarships for youth education programs and those successfully completing those programs can apply for scholarships for in-aircraft flight training.

Volunteer work is performed by and through partner organizations, which can be other non profits, schools, or religious institutions and may consist of community service not specifically of a religious nature.

The Board of Directors and the Executive Director may from time to time authorize changes to the service hour schedules or waive or reduce those hours under specific circumstances for some students.

Here is a sample table of scholarships:

FlyQuest Experience Type of Training Service Hours Required Prerequisites
Introduction to Aviation 1 hr Desktop Sim + Individual Instructor 6 None
Private Pilot Ground School Classroom Ground School, 10 class periods 30 None
Instrument Pilot Ground School Classroom Ground School, 10 class periods 30 Private Pilot Certificate
Advanced Aviation 10 hours Full Motion Simulator + Individual Instructor 100 Introduction to Aviation and Simulated Flight Test
Sport Pilot Certificate 20 hours flight time in Light Sport Aircraft, 15 hours of instructor time. 450 Introduction to Aviation and Simulated Flight Test
Private Pilot Certificate 40 hours flight time in C150, 20 hours instructor time. 800 Advanced Aviation and Simulated Advanced Flight Test