Ebay Type Rating Auction Funds Scholarship Program
April 5, 2010

“At PrestoSIM we realize that times have been tough in the entire aviation industry - so we would like to help out by doing our part.  As a result, we are putting up for bid on Ebay in early April, without any reserve, one CE-500 type rating.  We hope this act will help someone achieve a new level in their flying career or help someone that is either furloughed or displaced to re-enter the market. In addition, the profit from this auction will be donated to scholarship funds to assist others that are just starting their aviation career to help keep the pipeline full of new pilots insuring the future of our industry.  It is our hope that this 10 day auction will generate enough funds so that scholarships can be awarded to more than one aspiring pilot.  Scholarships generated from this auction will be presented to collegiate pilots attending one of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Airmeets (www.nifa.us ).  Thanks to all of you that have supported us over the years in our various Citation and King Air programs.  Good luck in bidding.”  - Ray Heyde, Training Center Manager.

The winning bidder receives all 14 CFR Part 142 “FAA Approved” training for the CE-500 added type rating at the PrestoSIM Grapevine, Texas training facility near the DFW Airport.  This is a no reserve auction starting at only $.99.  The course is two weeks long. This is the chance of a lifetime to learn to fly a jet at your price while helping someone else just getting started in their career.  Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to fly the most popular business jet in use today.  The CE-500 type rating opens the doors for flying eight different Citation models. 

The Ebay auction for a CE-500 type rating ends on Sunday, April 11, 2010. The listing is "Prestosim Cessna Citation CE-500 Type Rating Course". Search Ebay for any of the words included in the listing. Our seller ID is "prestosim_type_rating"

Included in the bid:
- 42 hours of academic classroom instruction (instructor led)
- All manuals, checklists, training aids, and course materials normally included with the initial CE-500 type rating
  course at PrestoSIM
- 4 hours of Citation CPT training
- 20 hours of Simulator training
- 13.5 hours of Simulator pre/post briefing
- Oral Examination
- All Examiner fees
- Type check (Level C simulator)

Pre-Qualification Requirements:
- Hold a FAA (USA) issued Private, Commercial, or ATP pilot certificate
- Airplane Multi-Engine Land Rating
- Instrument Rating
- 500 hours total flight time
- Valid medical

US Citizens:
- Must meet all TSA requirements for entry
- Valid and current passport OR
- Certified Birth Certificate with a photo ID issued by a government entity
- (Drivers license, Military ID, etc) acceptable to TSA

Non-US Citizens:
Any non-US citizen must meet all TSA requirements and pay any processing fees charged by the TSA application and approval process. Visit our website for additional information.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) upgrade:
If the winning bidder meets the regulatory requirements for the ATP, the ATP upgrade can be included in the course at no extra fee.  The bidder must be a Commercial Pilot and meet at least the requirements outlined in 14 CFR Part
61.153, 61.159, and 61.55.  In addition, the winning bidder must have a current certified copy of the ATP written test in hand at the start of the course if the ATP is also desired.

Payment:
The winning bidder must pay by certified check, wire transfer, or credit card directly to PrestoSIM. Cash payment is not allowed per TSA regulations for aircraft over 12,500 pounds. PayPal and other third party payments can not be accepted per TSA policies.

Not Included:
Travel expenses, including travel to and from Grapevine, Texas (DFW airport)  Motels, meals, or other miscellaneous expenses.

Limitations:
- PrestoSIM can not guarantee that you will pass all required tests that lead to the final issuance of the CE-500 type
  rating.
- All current FAR’s and FAA policies apply and can not be waived in any manner.
- You must enroll in a course that already has another student enrolled in that same course. (You will not be the
  sole student in the training) Course start dates are approximately every two weeks.
- You must complete the entire two week course at one time.
- Training must be completed by September 30, 2010.
- All training and checking will be done in a simulator.
- Employees and business associates of PrestoSim may not bid.
- A certificate will be issued for the training event to the winning bidder.  The certificate has no cash value and can
  not be re-sold to any third party.

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Insurance Industry Open House
October 30, 2009

On October 29, 2009, PrestoSIM hosted an open house for the insurance industry to open dialogue on the future needs of pilot training. PrestoSIM’s Vice President and Training Center Manager, Ray Heyde, said “It is important that the pilot training industry not only understand the needs of the FAA and their certification requirements, but a training center must also understand the needs of those insuring general aviation operations in a rapidly changing environment.  PrestoSIM believes that the Training Center must combine with the FAA and Insurance Provider to form a triangle that meets the training need.  Several of the underwriters and brokers present said that they had never been contacted before about their needs from a training provider.  It is with great pleasure that once again that our PrestoSIM team can be at the forefront.”

In addition to a facility tour and simulator demonstrations, discussion forums and presentations were made on single pilot operations, changing FAR’s, the future needs of the industry, and the importance of building open communications between the training providers and insurance industry.  The event was so well received that PrestoSIM is planning on adding additional discussion topics for the next event that will be planned in 2010.

   

  

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Blackhawk Factory Approved Training
October 15, 2009

PrestoSIM has teamed with Blackhawk Modifications to offer Blackhawk King Air training for both the 200 and 90 series models.  Blackhawk President Jim Allmon completed recurrent training under the new program on October 15, 2009.

Blackhawk Modifications - was formed by Jim Allmon and three partners in Waco, Texas in 1999 with the goal of enhancing the performance of the Beechcraft King Air 200 and 90 series.  The company also has a strong working relationship with Raisbeck Engineering, BLR, and Garmin to provide additional performance upgrades to the King Air family.  Recently the company has expanded to include modifications for the Cessna Conquest and Caravan models.  They are the largest non-OEM buyer of the new Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines in the world.

www.blackhawk.aero


   Ray Heyde                    Jim Allmon                Greg Dawsey

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First Level C Checkride
October 12, 2009

Mr. Patrick Jenevein of Dallas became the first Client to receive his CE-500 type rating using only simulator based training and checking at PrestoSIM in a FAA approved Citation Level C simulator.

At the completion of his check Patrick told his examiner, Greg Dawsey, that he really appreciated the PrestoSIM team and their comprehensive professional approach while meeting his business schedule to complete the training.  It was his first type rating

Patrick is the President and CEO of Tang Energy.  The Tang Energy group is an international organization that specializes in the manufacturer of large wind turbine blades and eco friendly engergy solutions.  The group develops wind farms in North America and co-founded H.T. Blade in China that produced over 6200 turbine blades last year.  For more information on Tang Energy, go to www.tangenergy.com


            Patrick Jenevein      Greg Dawsey

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FAA Approves PrestoSIM's own Single Pilot Exemption Course
March 27, 2009

The FAA has approved PrestoSIM.s application to allow single pilot operations of Cessna Citation CE-500 series aircraft under PrestoSIM's own single pilot exemption. The newly issued exemption, #9843, issued today by the FAA General Aviation & Commercial Division, allows PrestoSIM to train and certify pilots for single pilot operation of 500, 550, S550, 552, and 560 Cessna Citation aircraft.

In addition to the five base aircraft models, the training program, expected to begin shortly following local FAA approval of the course under Part 142, will include Bravo, Ultra, and Encore differences, allowing the pilot to act as pilot in command, without a copilot, in eight different models of Cessna Citation CE-500 aircraft.

While commenting on the approval, Ray Heyde, Training Center Manger and Vice President, said "This 'all-in-one' exemption will allow PrestoSIM to become the new standard in the single pilot arena. Pilots who train under PrestoSIM's single pilot exemption will be able to fly single pilot in hundreds of CE-500 aircraft not covered by the Cessna 4050 Single Pilot Exemption, including many older aircraft. Our exemption course will save operators both training time and cost, and will give pilots flexibility and a huge employment advantage in the current marketplace".

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Dept. of Vetrans Affairs approves PrestoSIM
October 4, 2007

Department of Veterans Affairs Approves Education Benefits for PrestoSim Citation CE-500 Training Program GRAPEVINE, Texas -- October 4, 2007 -- PrestoSIM received approval to train veterans and other eligible persons under the newly approved VA Education Benefits Program. Those who signed up for the Montgomery GI Bill while in the military can receive up to a 60% reimbursement for their flight training. Those veterans looking to pursue a career in either commercial or corporate aviation will now have the opportunity to come to PrestoSIM to accomplish that goal. Eligible course that qualify under the VA program are the Citation CE-500 Initial Type Rating course and the Airline Transport Rating course. PrestoSIM is an FAA Approved flight-training center featuring Initial, Recurrent and Single Pilot training in the Citation CE-500 Series aircraft as well as Initial and Recurrent training for the Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft. Established in 2004, PrestoSIM operates a 30,000 square foot facility in Grapevine, Texas, and specializes in owner pilot and small to mid size corporate flight department operated aircraft. More information is available at www.PrestoSIM.com.

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PrestoSIM receives FAA approval for Cessna Citation Ultra and Encore courses
March 2, 2007

GRAPEVINE, Texas, March 2, 2007 --- PrestoSIM- one of four U.S. companies authorized to provide FAA Part 142 simulator-based training in Cessna Citation aircraft has won FAA approval to provide training on the Cessna Citation Ultra and Encore aircraft featuring the Primus 1000 avionics suite. When combined with the company's earlier FAA approval of its Citation Bravo courses today's approval gives PrestoSIM authority to train pilots on some of the most popular models in the Cessna Citation line up.

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PrestoSIM receives FAA approval for Cessna Citation Bravo courses
November 30, 2006

Grapevine, Texas, November 30, 2006. PrestoSIM- one of four U.S. companies authorized to provide FAA Part 142 simulator based training in Cessna Citation aircraft has won FAA approval to provide training on the Cessna Citation Bravo aircraft featuring the Honeywell/Primus 1000 avionics suite. The first pilots certified under the new program received aviation insurance approval for the Citation Bravo aircraft according to Tom Brown, PrestoSIM training center manager. The Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft is the most popular executive business jet of its type. PrestoSIM is one of only three companies authorized to confer single pilot exemption authority in these aircraft under the Cessna factory program.

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FAA grants PrestoSIM FAR 142 Certificate
February 15, 2005

The Federal Aviation Administration today granted PrestoSIM,Inc., authority under Title 14, U.S. Code, Part 142, to offer advanced simulation flight training and pilot certification for the Cessna Citation(tm) 500 series aircraft at PrestoSIM's Grapevine Training Center located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Today's approval makes PrestoSIM one of four FAA certificated flight training companies in the United States authorized to confer initial type ratings and to provide FAA required recurrent pilot training on Cessna Citation aircraft using full flight simulators.

Cessna Citation is a trademark of the Cessna Aircraft Company.

For more information, please contact the company at (817) 488-4870, or email at info@prestosim.com