John and Martha King and Redbird Announce Parrot(TM), A.I. ATC for Simulators

July 28, 2010

Students will now have an intelligent, interactive communications training tool that is infinitely patient and always helpful

Oshkosh, WI, July 28, 2010—John and Martha King of King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations unveiled Redbird´s Parrot project, an artificial intelligence driven radio communications training system designed to operate with all of Redbird´s FAA certified flight training devices. The Kings demonstrated Parrot running on a Redbird TD at the EAA AirVenture Press Headquarters today.

“Students tell us that one of the major things that causes them anxiety when they are learning to fly is the radio,” John King commented. Added Martha, “With Parrot there is a technological solution that will make learning to talk on the radio fun and stress-free.”

Said Jerry Gregoire, Redbird Chairman and Founder, “This is virtual Air Traffic Control interacting via voice with a live student within a flight simulation session and requiring no input from the instructor. The pilot talks to the computer, the computer understands and replies as ATC would in real flight situations. This intelligent and sophisticated technology will enable students to learn how to properly communicate on the radio without adding to the flight instructor´s workload. Parrot will even work for pilots for whom English is a second language, making it an ideal training tool for flight schools instructing foreign students.”

Parrot can be used with all of Redbird´s FAA approved flight training devices including the FMX, SD, LD, MX2 and the TD and TD2. Unlike other communications training software, Parrot is aware of what is going on during a simulation session including aircraft position, radio frequencies that are in range of the aircraft, frequencies that the aircraft is tuned to, and weather conditions. “Being aware” allows Parrot to accurately simulate ATIS, clearance, ground, tower, departure, and approach communications services during a simulator training session. This immersive new approach to teaching ATC communications assures more effective and accurate training, enabling pilots to communicate with confidence.

Parrot will be marketed exclusively by King Schools. It will go into a limited number of customer installations in the 4th quarter of 2010 and will be available to all Redbird customers in the 1st quarter of 2011.

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About Redbird Flight Simulations

Since its inception in 2005, it has been the goal of Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc. to change the way flight training is delivered by providing cost effective training tools to general aviation pilots and flight training operations. Considered the fastest growing flight simulator provider in the industry, Redbird develops FAA approved training devices that are versatile enough to be used in all aspects of training, IFR and VFR, at a price that fits well within the budget of all flight training operations.

Redbird´s full motion FMX and other training devices are available for demonstration at Redbird headquarters in Austin, Texas and can be seen at air-shows and conferences around the country. For more information or to schedule a personal demonstration, visit the Redbird website at www.redbirdflightsimulations.com.

About King Schools

For over 30 years, students and pilots at all levels have enjoyed King Schools´ clear, simple and fun courses. In fact, nearly 1 out of every 2 pilots flying in the U.S. today has learned with King. The company is also a leader in on-line pilot certification and avionics training for pilots of high-performance and turbine aircraft. To find out more, please visit www.kingschools.com. or call 1-800-854-1001.

Press Contact

Barry Knuttila, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Technology, King Schools
direct phone: (858) 576-6265
e-mail: bknuttila@kingschools.com

Charlie Gregoire, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc.
Direct phone: (512) 301-0718
e-mail: cgregorie@redbirdflight.com


King Schools 35th Anniversary Sweepstakes Includes Alaskan Seaplane Rating and Bush Flying

July 28, 2010

SAN DIEGO, CA, July 28, 2010—Today, John and Martha King of King Schools announced their 35th Anniversary Sweepstakes. The winner will take home a package of prizes that includes an Alaskan flying vacation for two where the winner will earn their Seaplane Rating and also take a bush flying course.

“Alaska has a special place in our hearts. Martha and I have made over 50 round—trips from San Diego to Alaska in our own airplane and we have traveled the state in airplanes both on floats and on wheels,” John King commented. “We think it is very fitting that we are giving away an Alaskan flying vacation to a lucky pilot that will put them in touch with that amazing experience,” continued Martha. “Equally exciting, the winner will also receive a cutting-edge technology Redbird TD simulator, plus a KING Get-It-All Kit of their choice,” concluded John.

The sweepstakes is open for new entries until March 14th, 2011 and the official rules can be found on the King Schools web site: www.kingschools.com/sweepstakes. The winner will be announced at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland FL.

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Rockwell Collins and King Schools Announce Pilot Training Agreement

May 1, 2010

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, May 1, 2010—Rockwell Collins and King Schools have entered into an agreement offering on-line computer-based training (CBT). The agreement improves and extends training opportunities for owners/operators by providing direct access to King Schools aviation training and Rockwell Collins OEM avionics training modules.

“This agreement leverages our breadth of OEM training courses with King School’s long history of pilot training,” said Ken Schreder, vice president and general manager of Simulation & Training Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “We look forward to working with King Schools to help operators meet their long-term training needs.”

“Rockwell Collins is a leader in advanced avionics and systems and we’re thrilled to be working together. Our goal is to provide effective, convenient and clear on-line training for pilots of high-performance and turbine aircraft,” said John King, co-founder of King Schools.

Added co-founder Martha King, “It’s exciting that the first Rockwell-Collins training we’ll be offering on-line will be the Pro Line 21 courses for the KingAir and Hawker 800. There is a strong need for this training.”

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About Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

About King Schools, Inc.

King Schools has trained nearly one out of every two pilots flying today. The company is a leader in on-line pilot certification and avionics training for pilots of high-performance and turbine aircraft. To find out more, please visit www.kingschools.com.


King Schools and Redbird Announce a Breakthrough in Personal Flight Simulators

April 15, 2010

LAKELAND, FL (Sun ‘n Fun), April 15, 2010—Today, King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations announced the availability of a revolutionary home aviation simulator.

“This home simulator will really keep you sharp! Unlike other “desktop” models, the TD desk-mount places the yoke and controls under the table, achieving the feel of a real cockpit while you practice instrument procedures to any airport in the world, or maybe pre-fly that upcoming cross-country”, said John King, Co-Chairman of King Schools. “

“With airplane manufacturers restricting the use of circuit breakers to simulate system failure in the air, a good simulator has become essential in preparing to deal with emergencies—and the Redbird TD really delivers”, added Martha King, also Co-Chairman of King Schools.

The Redbird TD can be ordered with either a “glass” or “analog” instrument panel—each option providing realistic system failures, and is approved as a Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) by the FAA. This approval, allows pilots to log instrument time for the purpose of recent experience and to log up to 10 hours toward an instrument rating, or log up to 2.5 hours toward a private pilot certificate.

The Redbird TD is available exclusively through King Schools´ marketing, sales and distribution channels worldwide. The TD can be ordered now and will begin shipping on May 1st. It is priced at $6,995.

To view the Redbird TD, visit www.kingschools.com/flight-simulators.


King Schools Names Bill Ziska as Vice President of Sales

March 17, 2010

SAN DIEGO, CA, March 17, 2010—”King Schools, Inc. today announced the promotion of Bill Ziska to Vice President of Sales. King Schools is known for its self-study, interactive computer and online courseware.

Dave Jackson, King’s President & CEO, stated, “Bill has been with King Schools for over 14 years. He has held every job within the sales department, working his way up to Director of Sales and now Vice President of Sales. In his new role, Bill will also oversee our Customer Service department. Bill has unique abilities in both areas of our business, and he has played an important role at King Schools for quite some time. We feel blending his sales experience with his focus on customer service will serve us well.”

Prior to joining King Schools, Mr. Ziska held sales and management roles in Fortune 500 companies.

Bill has always had a strong interest in flying. His father is a retired WWII pilot and he has two brothers who are ex-Navy pilots. The aviation bug runs in the family. Bill first became a pilot 10 years ago and his latest aviation love is flying a Sport Cruiser aircraft.

To learn more about King Schools, or for more information, go to www.kingschools.com or call 1-800-854-1001.


Colorado Snowboard School Manager Wins King Schools Sweepstakes Airplane

February 11, 2010

SAN DIEGO, CA, February 11, 2010—”Rhonda Doyle of Ouray, Colorado, is the lucky winner of King Schools’ Future Of Flight airplane sweepstakes. The Cessna 172S Skyhawk she won includes a G1000 WAAS panel and features the GFC700 autopilot.

“I was sitting at my desk, studying for my Instrument Rating, and watching John King on my computer, when suddenly the phone rang and there he was on the line. I was a little confused at first, so when he told me that I had won I didn’t believe it. But, when Martha joined in the conversation, I knew it was for real!”

“I still can’t believe this is happening!” exclaimed Rhonda as she hugged her new Skyhawk at Montgomery Field in San Diego. Rhonda is an enthusiastic Commercial Pilot and supervises the Snowboard School at Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado. She is working toward her goal of becoming a tour pilot.

Martha King commented, “It gets more fun every time we give away a Cessna Skyhawk.” John King added, “Rhonda is a wonderful winner and we are thrilled that this airplane will help her to realize her flying dreams.”

To view a fun 2-minute video of Rhonda picking up her new airplane, visit www.kingschools.com/winner.

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King/Redbird Partnership Aims to Bring the First Affordable Full-Motion Simulator to Flight Schools

October 1, 2009
King Enters Partnership with Redbird

SAN DIEGO, CA, October 1, 2009—”Redbird has created the first affordable full-motion simulator with sufficient fidelity to be truly useful to VFR pilots, not just IFR pilots,” said John King, Co-Chairman of King Schools. “This can reduce the cost of training, allow training when weather prevents flight in the airplane, and allow the demonstration of things you just shouldn´t do in an airplane,” continued King.

Today, King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations announced they have entered into an exclusive agreement offering Redbird products through King Schools´ marketing, sales and distribution channels worldwide.

“Redbird has utilized the latest improvements in software and video graphics technology to deliver, for the first time, a realistic training environment that is within the financial reach of virtually every flight school. This brings the same level of flight training experience to new and non-professional pilots that has proven so effective in creating safe and proficient professional pilots,” said Martha King, Co-Chairman of King Schools.

After three years of development, Redbird now offers a line of four simulators spanning the range from a fixed desktop device through their FMX/cl which offers full-motion, panoramic vision and force-feedback controls.

After three years of development, Redbird now offers a line of four simulators spanning the range from a fixed desktop device through their FMX/cl which offers full-motion, panoramic vision and force-feedback controls.

Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc. was founded in Austin, Texas in 2006 by a team of computer industry professionals who possess varied experience in aviation, manufacturing, fabrication, and technology. The purpose of the company was to develop full-motion flight simulation products for flight schools that train new and non-professional pilots.

“We look forward to working with Redbird to help introduce flight schools to new and exciting possibilities for training pilots both in aircraft control and scenario-based risk management,” added John King.

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Press Contact

Barry Knuttila, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Technology, King Schools
direct phone: (858) 576-6265
e-mail: bknuttila@kingschools.com

Charlie Gregoire, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc.
Direct phone: (512) 301-0718
e-mail: cgregorie@redbirdflight.com

King Schools Names Barry Knuttila as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Technology

August 21, 2009

SAN DIEGO, CA, August 21, 2009—King Schools, Inc. today announced the promotion of Barry Knuttila to Senior Vice President of Marketing and Technology. For the past seven years Mr. Knuttila has been responsible for King Schools´ technology organization and oversaw the expansion of King´s software development, technical support, quality assurance, and information systems departments. King Schools is known for its self-study, interactive computer and online courseware.

Dave Jackson, King´s President & CEO, stated, “We are very excited that starting today, Barry will now also oversee our critical marketing efforts. Barry has unique abilities in both areas of our business, and he has played an important role in the marketing of our courses for quite some time. We feel blending marketing with technology will serve us well.”

Prior to joining King Schools, Mr. Knuttila was Area Vice President of Software Development for Peregrine Systems, Inc. Earlier he was Vice President, Advanced Research and Technology for Motiva. He has worked for several companies doing business in Europe and lived for a time in Germany. He speaks fluent German and enjoys traveling abroad.

Mr. Knuttila first became a pilot 29 years ago and now holds commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates with instrument and multi-engine ratings for both land and sea aircraft. He continues to teach primary and advanced students on a regular basis.

In April, he was selected as a Finalist for The San Diego Business Journal´s Technology Executive of the Year Award, 2009.

For more information call 1-800-854-1001 or visit www.kingschools.com.

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Martha King Testifies to Congress on TSA’s LASP Proposal

July 15, 2009

SAN DIEGO, CA, July 15, 2009—Martha King today offered testimony to congressional lawmakers during a hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection. In her testimony King stated that if the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) overlays the security requirements for commercial airlines onto general aviation business aircraft, thousands of small and mid-size businesses would be stifled with no tangible security benefit.

“What general aviation operators seek, and America needs, are measures that do not represent a needless sacrifice in liberty without benefit to society,” King testified. She explained that in its current form, the TSA’s LASP would unnecessarily limit or prohibit mobility for companies like hers, and thousands of others, without providing a clear security benefit.

King, in her testimony, mentioned a list of more than 80 “prohibited items,” some of which are routinely carried aboard business aircraft because they are central to business needs. She also talked about a proposal to establish a third-party compliance audit program. The business aviation community feels it could actually decrease security, she said, since businesses would be required to reveal internal security procedures to outside parties.

Another controversial proposal is a requirement to continually vet passengers against a no-fly list. “These lists have at times been inaccurate or incomplete,” King stated. “We don’t need to do that—we know our passengers, they are our employees and our customers.”

King stressed that the most effective approach to promote security without sacrificing the flexibility and mobility inherent in business aviation would be through cooperation between industry and government.

“I believe general aviation security would be best enhanced by having the TSA establish a rulemaking committee to address the questions and concerns raised by industry and the public on the LASP,” King said. “This type of forum—“ often used by the FAA and other government agencies—has proven benefits.”

The following is an excerpt video of Martha King’s testimony before congress:

To learn more about Martha King and King Schools, or for more information, go to www.kingschools.com, or call 1-800-854-1001.

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King Schools Online Icing Course Revised to Cover “Gotchas”

March 20, 2009

SAN DIEGO, CA, March 20, 2009—Usually, flying an airplane is a pretty straightforward operation. But according to King Schools, flying in icing conditions seems to hold surprising pitfalls for pilots. “First,” says John King, Co-Chairman of King Schools, “there is the remarkable fact that the recovery from a tail-plane stall induced by icing requires a completely opposite technique from recovering from a wing stall.”

Commented Martha King, the other Co-Chairman of King Schools, “Every pilot knows that recovering from a wing stall requires applying forward stick to lower the nose and reduce the angle of attack of the wing. On the other hand, recovering from an icing-induced tail-plane stall is completely counter-intuitive. It requires applying aft stick pressure.”

“The problem is that it is extremely difficult to tell the difference between a tail-plane stall and a wing stall,” says John.

“Adding to the difficulty,” says Martha, “is the fact that the mere presence of icing conditions seems to distract pilots enough so that they forget the basics. Recently there have been several crashes as a result of pilots in icing conditions failing to add power when leveling off from a descent or putting down flaps and gear.”

According to the Kings, it is clear that pilots need help when dealing with icing conditions. “That´s why King Schools recently revised our online Icing Operations course to beef up the section on tail-plane stall recognition and recovery,” says John

Added Martha, “If you fly on instruments long enough, you will eventually encounter icing conditions. When you do, the information in this course will be vitally important. We want pilots to have the knowledge and confidence they need to do the right thing when it really counts.”

You can learn more about the King Schools online Icing Operations Course online, or by calling 1-800-854-1001.

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