Reviews

What pilots have to say.

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.

Just a quick note (shout out) to let you know that AST must be the most outstanding practical nonsense operationally training programs for twin engine pilots out there! They will teach you their sensible four-step process and give you confidence to recover your aircraft safely if you ever need too. This is my second time back and will be back again! I’m a believer. Why? Because after attending the first time I unfortunately experienced a catastrophic failure inflight. With a 6-inch hole plus in my engine AST’s four step process assured me the confidence to handle the issue with no problems… aircraft, pax’s all on the ground safely. As a matter of fact, 2 of my passengers did not know the engine had failed until one of them noticed the prop was not spinning (feathered) on short final.

Every AST instructor is professional and understand the value in teaching to a student needs. As a military flight instructor in multiple weapons platforms… their skill sets, and instruction techniques are superior. I highly recommend the program and they will teach you what you need to know and how best to fly and handle emergent situations in your aircraft… Guaranteed

One of the passengers on the plane the day the engine failed had the FBO guy take our picture as we were leaving. I found where the passenger had posted it on Facebook and blurred the names and I’m giving it to you for AST if you want to add to your powerpoint.

These were the guys on board when it happened. We are not light weights. I’m around 210. Minimal baggage, typically only dirty clothes in paper sacks. The trip uses 100 gallons so I load tips and nacelle tanks for 140 on the return trip. On the trip up I drain the AUX tanks so I know my fuel load with the guys onboard. Admittedly it would have been difficult to lose one on departure as field elevation is 3000 Runway 5700ft. I always keep that thought up front. This was a cool October morning in Texas panhandle. We were at 15k when it happened

KPYX to KCXO

Thank you for all you’ve done helping me over the years with flight training.

I just wanted to take a minute to write y’all. I completed your training course a month ago, and today the unthinkable happened! I lost my right engine in my 421b at 6000 feet after taking off from Panama City Florida. After an immediate initial shock, the training that y’all taught immediately kicked in! I shut down the engine! The idler gear support pin came off in flight causing oil and smoke coming out the vents of the right engine. From the initial problem to landing at Defuniak Springs Airport was 10 minutes. Y’all’s course was very beneficial and prepared me hands down for that emergency landing on one engine. Again thanks and hopefully this review will help anyone with the decision to do the course!

My grandfather had a motto, “FIND A NEED AND FILL IT”.

Rick McGuire has accomplished that with AST. He found There was a significant need for good full motion simulator training in sims that “really work” with excellent instructors.

I have been to flight Safety four times, SimCom 10 times with various other programs in between.

I have been flying for 59 years, Twin Cessna’s for 50 years. I owned a 340 before my 421C that I have been flying since 2005.

If you are a Twin Cessna pilot that might be concerned about your flying skills then I would encourage you to go see Rick’s excellent instructors at AST and get some sim training. If you have just purchased a Twin Cessna then you should absolutely go to AST and fly their Sims.

Rick has used his “extensive knowledge” of instructing in and maintaining these planes to hire great Sim instructors. They have a different technique for handling engine outs that really works and provides an extra margin of safety.

If AST was closer to home I would go every 3 months just to fly their great sims. Rick and Staci McGuire have created an excellent training facility for Twin Cessna flyers.

My favorite AST employee is Jake, you will have to go there to find out who he is.

I finished my first recurrent with AST yesterday. Previous did an initial last year.

Man. These guys are so much fun to work with! There’s no BS silly games learning how to work every switch and button in the sim. It’s not in your airplane. It doesn’t matter. It’s right to flying. They throw every scenario I could think of at you. Even got to try a VMC roll. Bird strikes. Split flaps. Blown tires. Microbursts. Single engine night, day, heavy, light, high DA, you name it. And they’ll even let you really screw yourself and give you a failure at the worst possible time.

I mostly worked with Jim and he’s a great guy. Let’s you try it your way, and then the AST way. See what works better. There’s no pressure to do it their way. I have to say, there wasn’t a time where my way was better. Theirs won every time.

I’m a low time pilot. Around 980 TT, just hit 200 hours ME. With their training, I feel like my family behind me is safe. You can’t plan for everything, but I feel like I left AST a better ME pilot.

Thanks again Rick, Chuck, Jim, and Jess (and tell Staci she’s amazing!) and I can’t wait to do it again!

I just spent two days training with AST and I must say it was the best two day SIM course I have ever taken comparing to both SIMCOM and Flight Safety. I fly a Piper Navajo with similar characteristics of the twin Cessna and the characteristics of the Precision AATD simulator was amazing. One scenario that was a game changer was the the take off of a high elevation airport with a high density altitude. Losing an engine after takeoff at gross weight really gets your attention. Chuck was able to assist in making the correct decisions. We practiced this scenario several times.

I could not believe when they threw a bird strike at me. Extremely realistic.

If you are interested in safety then I highly recommend AST. They will show you some short cuts what will make you a much better pilot.

AST, INCREDIBLE! So accommodating. Did not arrive until 4 in the afternoon on a Wed. And was met by Chuck waving me to the hanger. Was told to be there by 3:30 however had 40+ kt headwinds which slowed us a bit. Thank you Chuck for getting my bird inside as we had thunderstorms and hail that night.

If you want recurrent training, go somewhere else. If you want advanced trading and challenges, this is the place. Rick is very knowledgeable and passionate about flying and teaching. He is a little “ornery” and so am I so we got along well. Ground school and systems review was an eye opener. Thanks Rick.

I did find out about the emergency brake on my plane, never knew it was there. I would have never tried it before this course. I was able to work out an engine failure which Chuck so graciously gave me at 75 feet during departure and safely returned to the airport no worse for the ware. Thank you Chuck for pushing me and for all the work, especially the black holes with loss of engines. Thanks for getting me in the office.

Now Andrew introduced me to Big Bear and accomplished what no one has ever accomplished before. He tied me up with terrain, high density altitude, gross weight and distractions and just when I thought I made it back safely, I bellied the plane in with a greaser. How embarrassing. The sim is the place for that to happen. Thank you Andrew for helping me realize I need to really pay more attention especially in high stress conditions. They give us landing gear for a reason.

No question I will be back and I am committed to a six month return. I want more. This place is great and I sincerely appreciate Stacy, Rick’s wife who helped arrange the loaner car, hanger and scheduling. It just doesn’t get any better.

My first post to this forum. I do NOT own an airplane. I didn’t receive a discount for writing this post. I’m not an employee, business partner or investor. I’m writing this as a recommendation to help others.

Background

ATP, F/E, A&P, B-727, B-737, B-747-4, B-757, B-767, DC-8. Flown the Piper twins including Aerostars and Chieftains, Cessna singles, Super D, Citabria, Maule M-7 235, Extra, Pitts S-2C, T-6, P-51, G-II, G-IV and others. All this and 25 cents might get me a cup of coffee, big deal. I’m NOT impressing anyone and don’t expect to considering the qualifications of those on this forum. My background means nothing when I climb into a C-340 for the first time. That’s why I went to TRAINING first.

Years spent researching Cessna twins, never flown one, ever. Didn’t know a thing about the airplane. The spread sheet said the C-340 was the airplane to buy. Rather than buy the airplane, thought it best to get TRAINING in the airplane FIRST. Made the decision to visit Rick McGuire at AST in Burnet Texas and get the ground school, simulator and time in the airplane needed, BEFORE buying the airplane.

The short story is this; AST has to be the finest group of instructors I’ve met in over 30 years in this industry. It’s not worth questioning or considering another group of instructors in my opinion. Best to give AST a call, set your schedule, attend their training and be overly impressed with the greeting, training, recommendations, one on one help, support and guidance they will provide you. Can’t express how impressed I was with the instruction received from Rick and his impressive staff of Instructors.

Specifics

I thought I knew a lot about oil pressure and temperature… I knew much about alternators and the definition of Volts and Amps only to find out I knew nothing. I knew it all concerning turbo chargers and waste gates until I sat through Rick’s ground school. I had the electrical system wrong. Thought I knew about tires, brakes, fuel valves and prop governors – I knew nothing. I received Rick’s hand out after Day 1 in class. Returned to hotel, read through it and had to ask myself if I knew much of anything concerning piston twins. An absolute eye opener.

This isn’t your usual classroom teaching

This is real world experience being taught to you – one on one. This is personal instruction. Rick sits with you as he explains the airplane and its system. Take notes, asks questions. Rick’s knowledge base is simply amazing. I’m convinced the man has forgotten more about airplanes than I’ve learned in 30 years. Superb instructor.

The simulator training is simply outstanding

It would take pages to write all I’ve been shown and learned. Remember all you were taught concerning that engine failure? What Rick and his instructors teach you is not what you think it will be. The techniques and procedures are simply eye opening. Did you know your Twin Cessna has an emergency brake? Have you lost an engine at 200 feet and tried to land on the remaining runway – I did and it was NOT what I expected. How about an emergency descent? Engine failures in IMC, at high altitude airports or when birds strike the windshield? How about a takeoff in Aspen or a drift down single engine? I worked with Chuck and Jim in the simulator and what they taught me is a ‘must have’ for every Twin Cessna pilot.

The airplane

Everyday after ground school and simulator I flew the 340 with Rick McGuire. Rick flew with me every day, for three days. There is no way I can thank Rick enough for all he taught me. Rick’s attitude, presentation and explanations are perfect. His command of the airplane as the Instructor is exceptional. Rick briefed me on the flight, we flew the flight, we accomplished exactly what Rick wanted to cover while I flew the airplane and had fun. Rick is the Instructor you want to fly with. Can’t over emphasize how much you’ll learn flying with rick.

Conclusion

Please, call AST and schedule your Twin Cessna training. Find out for yourself how exceptional Rick and his Instructors are first hand. Guarantee you will not be disappointed. If you have any questions about my time at AST please email me and I’ll reply as soon as possible.

Reviews

Background

Specifics

This isn’t your usual classroom teaching

The simulator training is simply outstanding

The airplane

Conclusion

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