Elite Aviation Hosts FAA Safety Seminar, Unveils New Complex Training Aircraft

By Carmelo Turdo

Elite Aviation held the March speaker event Thursday in their pilot training and maintenance facility at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The program topic, "Avoiding Fuel Emergencies," was presented by FAA Safety Team Program Manager Phil Dixon. The interactive session included discussion of numerous case studies illustrating the unfortunate results of poor fuel management by pilots of all levels of experience along with the positive steps that should be taken to avoid most causes of fuel starvation and fuel exhaustion. Even with the available high-technology instrumentation and the visual check techniques learned by every student pilot, fuel mismanagement remains a nagging, yet preventable cause of general aviation and commercial aviation accidents and incidents.

This event was part of the Elite Speaker Series held monthly at Elite Aviation. The speaker series features FAA Safety Team programs as well as presentations by prominent aviators and aviation industry representatives. Elite Aviation invites current pilots and anyone interested in flying to attend these events and check out their late-model aircraft fleet. During the evening, Elite Aviation's newest aircraft, a Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Saratoga, was on display in the hangar for attendees to preview. The 6-seat, retractable gear, complex aircraft will soon be available for advanced training and rental. The turbocharged engine and oxygen system allow this aircraft to fly at higher altitudes and faster speeds than most other single-engine, piston aircraft. The recent paint and interior updates make this aircraft look, feel and smell like new. Contact Elite Aviation for details.

The Aero Experience thanks Elite Aviation for hosting their monthly speaker series and for providing full-service flight training and piston aircraft maintenance at Spirit of St. Louis Airport.