Proficient?
Lose the Rust and Log it
Train in the safe space of a simulator at Spring to Proficiency and lose the rust. Two immersive clinics at the EAA Pilot Proficiency Center in Oshkosh this April.
$1,595
lose the rust
build confidence
Learn about our Professional Development Track exclusively for Flight Educators at a deep discount. Limited seats available. Click here…
bring back the fun
The stakes are high up there. Are you ready?
Many things can get in the way of a safe flight, especially when you haven’t flown in a while. Let’s fix that by getting back in shape.
Flight Simulation Exercises
Scenario-based Training
Personal Instruction
Learn-Do-Fly Framework
Team Learning
and more…
There’s a better way to train.
Train for proficiency with our signature
Learn-Do-Fly method
Experience an optimal learning framework at the EAA Pilot Proficiency Center in Oshkosh, WI where you'll attend immersive activity labs, drill with visualization exercises, fly realistic simulation scenarios, and prepare for performing in the airplane.
Personal training where you’ll be paired with a fellow aviator and your own instructor from our team of experts.
LEARN: Acquire the Knowledge
We'll work together to review and better understand first principles of VFR and IFR flight.
DO: Build the Skills
You'll train hard, apply your newly acquired knowledge with simulation and visualization.
FLY: Embed the Procedures
Take your flight syllabus with you and train with your instructor back at your home airport. Or bring your own airplane and we will arrange for an instructor to fly with you here at KOSH (extra cost).
Pilots, like you, getting in shape for a safe flying season.
“This was a safe environment to knock off some rust and get my skills back. The virtual ATC added something that I didn’t expect would be that powerful. It really kept me on my game.”
“What I expected was to get current and do some things I hadn’t done in a long time. What I got was a guided push out of my comfort zone and the challenge of problem solving.”
“The scenarios we flew had every aspect of what you would expect in the real world. I flew in southern California airspace for the first time from the EAA Education Center in Oshkosh.”
Meet the Educators & Organizers
-
Rich Stowell took his first flying lesson in 1982 and began his career as a full-time flight instructor specializing in spin, emergency maneuver, and aerobatic training in 1987. He is a recognized subject matter expert in loss of control in light airplanes, the 2014 National FAA Safety Team Rep of the Year, and the 2006 National Flight Instructor of the Year. A 20-year Master Instructor, Rich is a Charter and Life Member of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, and a 41-year member of AOPA, EAA, and IAC. He has logged 10,400 hours of flight time with 9,400 hours of flight instruction given, 35,200 spins, and 26,400 landings.
-
EXPERTThis is Jason’s third year as a leader of the Spring to Proficiency program.
With over 3000 hours of dual given in over 30 aircraft models Jason is a Gold Seal Instructor, 2021 CFI of the Year for the BDL FSDO, a 2021 AOPA Distinguished Flight Instructor and the 2018 FAASTeam Rep of the Year for the BDL FSDO. As the Chief Flight Instructor for Berkshire Aviation at the Great Barrington Airport (KGBR) in MA he specializes in stick and rudder, primary, tailwheel, and instrument training. Jason holds CFI-I, G, MEI, AGI, IGI, SES certificates.
-
Billy Winburn is the president of Community Aviation, a firm dedicated to pilot proficiency for amateur aviators. He has been an active pilot for over thirty years and flies an SR-22 out of the Manassas, VA airport. He is an alumnus of Hampden-Sydney College and a native of Savannah, GA. He currently lives in Alexandria, VA with his partner Paula and when he is not flying, or working you can usually find him in casual hunting attire.
Plus, our seasoned team of qualified flight instuctors.
It’s time for us to see proficiency training as normal and necessary.
Most of us general aviation pilots fly 50-100 hours per year, yet we can come face-to-face with the same critical decisions as professionals who log thousands of hours and receive constant training.
You'll work with career instructors who love teaching, not time builders headed for the airlines. They understand the unique challenges of part-time flying and the techniques for training like the pros.
You'll leave the clinic as a more confident pilot and with a renewed focus on the fun of flying.
Clinic Options & Pricing
-
LEARN TO TURN
April 25-27
$1595
(early bird *)A skill-building clinic led by Rich Stowell and instructors featuring his work on emergency maneuver training, stall/spin awareness, and the Nine Principles of Light Aircraft Flying.
-
ADVANCED IFR
April 28-30
$1595
(early bird *)Jason Archer, and instructors, take you on a deep dive into IFR skill-building and procedures in a challenging environment taking you outside your comfort zone.
-
BUNDLE & SAVE
April 25-30
$2875
(early bird *)Keep the immersion going and attend both clinics. Shake off all the rust and leave more confident, ready to fly.
* early bird savings apply for the first 15 registrants of each clinic.
What to expect from Spring to Proficiency 2025
1.
enroll care-free
Capacity is limited to 20 people per clinic, but you have until March 15th to receive a full refund, so reserve your seat today.
2.
attend the clinic
Your training starts when you receive our our PilotKit and invitations to webinars prior to arrival. Then dive into the training in April.
3.
fly away with confidence
Continue your proficiency training with ongoing support from our instructors and be the aviator your friends and family deserve.
Hear what some of our past participants had to say about Spring to Proficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Download a detailed schedule and program of each clinic down below.
-
Yes, you can work with your instructor to perform six instrument approaches, holding procedures and intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems. Make sure that you are within your grace period and do not need a full IPC.
-
Yes, as long as you make prior arrangements and bring your own airplane. Please contact us directly for details. info@communityaviation.com.
-
Yes, most of the missions you will fly can be logged.
-
We've reserved a block of rooms with the EAA's corporate discount rate at the Hilton Garden Inn. The hotel is conveniently located near the clinic location. It also has a dedicated ramp for airplane parking. We’ll send you a reservation link upon registration.
At both clinics, we'll provide lunch upon arrival on Day 1, breakfast and lunch on Days 2 & 3 as well as a dinner and VIP tour of the museum on Day 1 for Learn to Turn and Day 2 for Advanced IFR. You're on your own for dinner the other evening.
-
It's always good to have your own wheels but it's not necessary. While it's not practical to walk to the EAA Education Center from the Hilton Garden Inn, it is close by (5 minute drive). Typically folks carpool from the hotel to the clinic and we can offer rides as well.
-
Full refund available until March 31st. After that, get a full credit for future clinics and courses.
-
Learn-Do-Fly is our signature framework for optimal learning thsat includes a syllabus-based sequence of knowledge acquisition, simulation & visualization, and in-airplane training.
-
This is not a requirement, but it is highly encouraged. Training in the airplane is the final part of the LEARN-DO-FLY optimal learning framework and this can be accomplished in several ways.
You can bring your own airplane to the clinic and fly with an instructor after the formal clinic has ended. (extra cost)
Take our FLY syllabus with you and fly with your own instructor at your home airport. We'll brief them.
Fly your plane to Oshkosh at another time. Just schedule a time with your instructor in advance. (extra cost)
-
You can park your airplane at the Hilton Garden Inn’s ramp. Check the hotel for current rates. If you want to train with an instructor you are welcome to schedule time with them. This is an additional cost.
Didn’t answer your question?
Schedule a call and we'll address your questions personally.