Wayman Aviation Academy’s Tony Shen on Training in FL, USA during COVID -19

Main Content

(01:05)

The origins of Wayman Aviation: it’s founder Mr. Wayman – an immigrant from Peru, settling in Florida & the school’s beginnings as a maintenance shop

(02:45)

2017 acquisition by Shanghai Chiway Education Group & Tony joins the Academy as President

(03:10)

The past 3 years – fleet, facilities, 145, SMS and CAAC certification

(03:39)

Course & Program offerings: flight & maintenance training, Professional Pilot Degree, FAA & EASA programs

(05:10)

Two bases: Opa Locka Airport and North Perry Airport in Florida

(05:45)

The pros and cons of running a flight school in Miami: a global flight training hub

(07:08)

Cost, quality & completion: Come to Florida

(07:48)

Tony’s personal background – 1997 in Florida for Ab Initio training to become a China Eastern Airline Cadet - and how he got into the training business

(09:10)

12,000 hrs, long haul flights & Duke University

(09:59)

American Airlines & Dallas

(10:30)

Back to Shanghai and health care

(11:29)

Flight training as an entry into the GA market in China & buy American

(12:52)

Year end 2019: 42 airplanes, four simulators, new management / operation system, Boeing-appointed contractor

(14:28)

Juneyao & MIAT partnerships

(14:50)

300 students enrolled in 2019 – half US and half international; 10 - 12 months for ‘Zero to Hero’ training (private all the way to commercial multi-engine)

(15:45)

International services: Everything including local transportation

(16:40)

COVID-19 hits Wayman mid-March and immediately impacts international student enrolment

(18:05)

Pivot: Wayman shifts its focus to offer online courses, while local enrolment surprisingly grows

(19:10)

The current airline environment, job prospects and Tony’s optimism for the market and pilots - the airline pilot shortage isn’t going anyway

(22:06)

The ‘silver linings’ of the pandemic for Wayman: innovation & making the school stronger & more competitive

(25:33)

Why Florida & Wayman: Cost, Quality, Completion – Top Tier

(26:30)

English tutoring 101

(27:15)

M I A M I … there are worse places

(27:48)

The future of Wayman: becoming an educational institution in 2021 – state licensing in process – and entry into the APAC GA market, particularly China

(29:32)

Charter & drones