Gary and Charles are very knowledgable and were able to explain the B200 in its entirety, so it was well understood. Both were very helpful in my learning experience. Thanks also goes out to Jim for helping me prepare for the class.
Thanks for the outstanding training last week! I learned a ton about the 421C, and gained confidence about what to do in the event of an emergency. All the instructors are top-notch!
I have tons more confidence flying my airplane and really do know what to do in the event of an engine failure instead of guessing what to do like I was doing. In the Simulator I got to fly with Chuck who is second to none as an instructor. Your philosophy on single engine flight is easy to remember and tons more effective than anything else I have ever learned.
Thank you for sharing your experience as both a pilot and an A&P. The course was both enjoyable and interesting. The AST experience was much more personalized and Insightful than the cookie-cutter experience at the competition.
With around 4,000 hours of Twin Cessna time, I’ve been to the big-name training facilities in the past. When you buy your Citation or Gulfstream, they are likely a good choice. Not so much for piston twins. Their simulators are inferior. They are likely to place you with a young low-time pilot, with no experience with your aircraft. During my last experience at brand X, I needed to help the instructor understand systems.
By Comparison Aircraft Simulator Training is hands down the best in the country! Best Simulators, best instructors. Rick McGuire is super sharp on systems and provides outstanding tips that help make our flying safer, help reduce maintenance cost, and get better utilization out of our aircraft. The entire team are pros. They care about the student and want to make sure they get the training they need. Their loss of engine procedure is superior to any I’ve seen. Others make it too complicated. At 200’ you don’t have time for a multistep process.
I just finished my three day initial training for the 340 Cessna and it was absolutely fantastic!! The classroom was very informative and eye opening! What ever you think you know about a twin Cessna is just the tip of the iceberg compared to what you will learn. You are taught how to really handle engine failures, land safely and use the airplane again. Maintenance, troubleshooting, warning signs of problems as they are starting happen so you can avoid a serious situation.
The instructors are very, very good. They are not intimidating or condescending but teach you how to be a better, safer pilot! My instructor (Lane) really coached me and boosted my confidence level and when I left training I had no doubts that my flight skills had improved.
If you have a twin Cessna (Or any light twin for that matter) do yourself, your passengers and your airplane a huge favor by going to Aircraft Simulator Training in Burnet, Texas. It could very well SAVE YOUR LIFE!
My first 300 series initial course for insurance criteria was a big success. Shout out to Rick and Chuck for a smooth transition after many years away from twin piston flying. Appreciated the flexibility in ‘meeting me where I was’ in terms of experience and currency, focusing on what I was needing improvement rather than a ‘standand, one size fits all’. Will be back for recurrent in a year!
Just completed my initial training in a B200 King Air at AST in Georgetown, Texas. With over 30 years of multiple type ratings and countless recurrent under my belt I have to say that the level of professionalism knowledge and materials supplied by AST are second to none. Gary and Jim bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table that solidify the training experience. In addition to the FAA approved flight sim withe G1000 avionics suite, this made for a smooth transition into our newly acquired B200 with the NXI. Jim and Gary also have great connections with several avionics and maintenance facilities on the field to answer any and all technical questions that could arise or for demonstration purposes to see first-hand where and how these systems operate. Highly recommend AST and look forward to seeing them again next year.
Fellow Twin Cessna Pilots,
I just returned from Cessna 414A recurrent training at AST in Burnet, Texas. I am pleased to be able to confirm the countless positive comments that I had heard and read prior to attending. The atmosphere was casual with a professional aircraft systems presentation by the incredibly knowledgeable lead instructor Rick McGuire. The instruction was scenario based with an emphasis on the most common problem areas and “gotchas” associated with these complex aircraft. Chuck and Steve handled the simulator training and provided a relaxed, non- intimidating learning environment with a heavy emphasis on engine loss at low altitude. The AST 4-step approach to handling an engine failure at low altitude emphasizes aircraft control and rapid drag reduction that these aircraft require to keep flying. These procedures will, and have, quite literally save lives.
Jessica provided my flight-check and I could not have been more impressed with her knowledge, patience, and encouraging demeanor.
I have flown for over 50 years with the majority of that time in an airline career including 20 years as a check airman. Over that period I received and administered a great deal of training and checking. I can comfortably state that the two days of training that I received at AST was some of the most useful, pertinent, and enjoyable I’ve ever experienced.
Additionally, AST made provisions for my non-current, pilot wife to receive some simulator instruction that left her not only thrilled with the experience, but confident in her ability to fly, and land our aircraft.
Thank you AST for a sharpening, confidence building experience that all light twin pilots should receive. I look forward to next year.
Completed my B-200 Recurrent Training with Aircraft Simulator Training at KGTU yesterday with instructors Gary Lash and Jim Minton. Best training I have ever received in the King Air! The new full motion (6 degree) sim with G1000’s was awesome. Highly Recommended! I will be back to them annually for sure. A bonus was eating at Lupe Tortilla in Georgetown. Wow….best fajitas I have ever had.
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