Expanded Training Coming to Pilot Center

Redbird Flight, in partnership with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), is expanding its training offerings at the Pilot Proficiency Center (PPC) during AirVenture 2025. The event, held annually in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, brings together pilots and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. The updated PPC schedule aims to meet the growing diversity in pilots' experience levels and availability.

“Since 2010, the PPC—and the expert instructors who work there each year—have helped thousands of pilots enhance their skills and increase the safety of their operations,” said Redbird COO Josh Harnagel. “Over that period, the number of attendees at AirVenture has grown by roughly 30 percent, and EAA has introduced many new and exciting attractions at the show. With that in mind, our goal with the PPC programming this year is to provide training options that have varied time requirements and that suit a wider variety of experience levels and interests, offering even more pilots opportunities to take the next step in their flying.”

Training options include full-day VFR and IFR refresher courses, simulator sessions focused on specific skills, a Rusty Pilots course powered by AOPA, and a Right Seat Ready course for pilot spouses. Some offerings fulfill requirements for the FAA’s WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program and flight reviews.

“The structure and objectives of each session differ by design,” added Harnagel. “For pilots who have a full day available, the refresher courses consist of three hours of ground instruction and three hours of simulator work, offering a more comprehensive approach to improving their VFR or IFR flying that satisfies the requirements for a full phase of the WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Program and, subsequently, a flight review. However, pilots who are more pressed for time still have the opportunity to sit down at a flight simulator for 45 minutes and work with a world-class flight instructor to improve a specific area of their flying before they need to move on to their next commitment.”

The PPC is offering training Monday, July 21, through Saturday, July 26, in the EAA Education Center, which features 12 Redbird LD Advanced Aviation Training Devices, a Redbird Xwind crosswind trainer, and dedicated briefing and presentation spaces.