USA – Redbird Flight Simulations has announced its membership in the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. Through this collaboration, the manufacturer will play a key role in shaping the modernization of FAA Part 141 training regulations to integrate modern technologies such as advanced simulation, electronic flight bags, and data-driven training methodologies.

• Redbird Flight COO Josh Harnagel has been appointed to the NFTA Board of Directors and will serve on the Subcommittee on Simulation, FTDs, and Modern Training Technologies.

• The modernization effort aims to better incorporate training technologies that have become industry-standard, improve efficiency, and reduce costs for flight schools and students.

• Redbird highlighted the rising costs of pilot training over the last five years:

  • 56% increase in the cost of a Private Pilot Certificate

  • 70% increase for an Instrument Rating

  • 93% increase for a Commercial Pilot Certificate

• By leveraging advanced flight simulation and training devices, the initiative aims to make pilot training more affordable and accessible while improving learning outcomes.

• The FAA has tentatively scheduled public meetings in October (Fort Worth, Texas) and November 2025 (virtual) to discuss topics related to the Part 141 rewrite, including simulation and modern learning tools.

Statements:

• “We are excited to work with NFTA and an experienced group of industry experts to advance this critical initiative,” said Harnagel. “Making aviation more accessible and affordable has been core to the Redbird mission since the company’s founding in 2006, and Part 141 modernization is a unique opportunity to implement a regulatory structure that better enables many flight training organizations to achieve those goals. We applaud the FAA for collaborating with the industry on this opportunity to move flight training forward, and we are encouraged by the momentum and progress to date.” 

• “It’s a complex issue that the group NFTA has assembled is addressing from several angles, but effective integration of aviation training devices into curricula can be a significant part of the solution for modern flight training organizations,” added Harnagel. “The rising costs of aircraft insurance, fuel, and maintenance—not to mention landing, tie-down, and hangar fees—have put considerable pressure on flight school margins. Not only are aviation training devices less expensive to operate than aircraft, but they also offer myriad learning benefits that help students progress more efficiently through their training. As the technology continues to advance—both the training devices and the applications that run on them—the benefits will be even more far-reaching for students and schools.” 

Source: Redbird Flight Simulations