Aviation Performance Solutions (APS)

Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) provides Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) to professional pilots. The training addresses Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I). APS has worked on UPRT since 1995 and is headquartered at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (KIWA) in Mesa, Arizona. It reports more than 186,994 pilots trained.

Training

• Professional pilot UPRT in four tiers: simulator only, on-aircraft only, integrated, and advanced, which adds online academics and virtual reality
• Recurrent UPRT for APS graduates, in as little as one day
• Regulatory UPRT for airlines, flight schools, inspectors and regulators
• A Pilatus Family UPRT program for PC-12 and PC-24 pilots

Initial courses use a minimum of four flights over three days. All programs follow the company's Every Pilot In Control Solution Standard (EPIC-S2).

Aircraft

The fleet has 3 SIAI-Marchetti S211 jets and 6 Extra 300L aircraft. The S211 is a sweptwing, glass-cockpit jet trainer used for jet upset training. The Extra 300L is certified to +/- 10G and has no prohibited maneuvers. Each aircraft carries an HD video and audio camera that records the flight. Training also uses an airline Flight Simulation Training Device and a virtual reality UPRT device.

Certifications and approvals

• FAA Part 141 Pilot School UPRT programs
• IS-BAO Stage 2 registered UPRT provider at all U.S. civil training locations, since 2010
• WYVERN Wingman Training Center designation

APS won the 2021 AIN Top Flight Award for Training Innovation for its virtual reality upset training.

Customers and markets

APS is the UPRT provider for Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. A Delta study of 5 million flights over five years found a 50% reduction in precursor upset events. APS also builds programs for corporate flight departments, flight schools, military pilots and regulators.

Locations

The Mesa headquarters opened in 2021 on a 4.5-acre lot with a 34,000 sq. ft. hangar and offices. APS opened a European base near Amsterdam in 2014.

History

APS added the S211 and the Dornier Alpha Jet as jet training platforms in 2016. It opened its first military training location with CAE USA in 2017.