ASU will provide both initial training and recurrent training to the FAA, beginning this month. ASU initially began training the FAA in 2017, when it was awarded the first fixed-wing training contract. ASU first started training FAA pilots on helicopters in 2007.

Josh Grier, ASU Director of Training, said: “The FAA’s trust in ASU to train both its helicopter and fixed-wing flight standards operations inspectors is a testament to the entire ASU team. By awarding the training contract again to ASU, the FAA demonstrates that it remains confident in our knowledge and experience. ASU’s mission is to save lives through expansive training and products. ASU is committed to making sure that anyone using night vision goggles to aid in night-time operations is properly trained and equipped for safe mission completions.

“Additionally, ASU’s pride lies in our training environment, which can replicate any environment just minutes from the Boise airport. ASU is the only training provider that can take a pilot from a high light, open desert environment to backcountry mountainous terrain with zero artificial light in a matter of a few minutes. This setting allows us to equip a pilot with the tools they need to operate safely in a plethora of scenarios and leave them with a wide range of experiences to function anywhere they may go.”

ASU’s training takes place in Boise, Idaho, in the high desert mountains and in remote areas where low-light conditions and challenging terrain make it ideal for training. ASU has trained pilots and crews from around the world that fly in extreme conditions for unique missions; for initial NVG flight training, FAA pilots and inspectors will receive eight hours of classroom training, 1.5 hours of daytime flight training, and 5.5 hours of NVG flight training. ASU will also conduct recurrent training at its Boise site.

“We continue to empower operators and regulating entities in many countries around the world to use night vision goggles to save lives and increase safety,” said ASU President Jim Winkel. “The aviation industry becomes safer tomorrow as more advocates for flight safety like the FAA receive NVG training and gain valuable insight into safe NVG flight operations. ASU is committed to further education and training not only in the United States but also around the world. We appreciate the vote of confidence by the FAA continuing our working relationship with them soon.”