BRIEFING YOU CAN FLY / Meet Chris Moser Answering your questions about AFTA BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER HEADING TO EAA AirVenture? You'll want to stop at the AOPA tent to check out AFTA, the latest innovation in flight training. We've been working on this web-based application for some time, and it's truly ready for prime time. At AirVenture you can try out the AOPA Flight Training Advantage with our dedicated staff. Not going to the show? Here are answers to your questions from Chris Moser, AOPA Foundation senior director of flight training education. Why AFTA? As a former teacher and active CFI I had this idea that there just has to be a better way than the paper syllabus we've always used. It is static; lesson five is always lesson five. There needed to be a way to adapt to the individual needs of each student. We know that adapting to each student's way of learning is the most effective way to teach. It helps the student advance faster. Why is AFTA different? The main difference is its flexibility. It's a combination of a structured Part 141 syllabus and a Part 61 style of learning in that the CFI can provide flexibility; if a student is doing well in one portion of their learning they can move on. AFTA is beneficial for both the student and the CFI-each can see what's coming next. What's the advantage of using AFTA? We've seen that students have the big excitement of reaching solo but then enter what I call the doldrums of flight training. AFTA makes the process transparent so students can maintain the motivation to get to the finish line. The student sees where they have been and what's coming. The CFI and school keep a pulse on the student progress. It helps the CFI help their student. What does AFTA cost? It's free. You just have to be an AOPA member; it's an AOPA member benefit. CFIs need an iPad; students and schools can access it on the web. 46 AOPA PILOT / August 2022 What do users of AFTA say about the program? They are blown away. This is new, state-of-the-art, cutting-edge training that we're being told is " cool " and different than anything they've used before. If everyone used AFTA, more people would be finishing training. What's in it for AOPA? Of course, AFTA is designed to encourage membership, but AOPA is all about growing the GA population. We need more pilots and AFTA is an effective way to encourage and produce more pilots. How can I try AFTA? Join us at the AOPA tent at AirVenture or go online and sign up-you can test it out and we'll help you every step of the way. julie.walker@aopa.org aopa.org/aftahttp://www.aopa.org/afta