On March 22, Michigan, Ohio and Louisiana joined Illinois, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, California and Oregon as states that have ordered residents to remain in their homes as the nation wrestles with the deadly COVID-19-inducing Coronavirus. The illness can be spread when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or even touches an object later touched by another person. Shelter-in-place orders typically call upon non-essential businesses to close until further notice. To members of the flight training industry, the first question when these orders began to hit was defining a “non-essential business.”
Flight Training Industry Deciphers Shelter-in-Place Orders
Key Takeaways:
- State-issued COVID-19 stay-at-home orders led to confusion regarding whether flight training qualified as an "essential business."
- The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) referenced federal guidance from CISA, which explicitly designates flight schools as part of the essential Transportation Systems Sector, suggesting they could remain open.
- Despite this federal classification, some flight schools, such as Aviation Adventures, chose to close voluntarily to prioritize the health and safety of students and instructors due to the impossibility of social distancing in aircraft.
- Temporarily closed flight schools are encouraging students to stay engaged by completing online coursework, taking knowledge tests, and practicing "chair flying" while awaiting reopening.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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