APS | Professional Pilot UPRT

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Transform Your #1 Risk Into Operational Excellence:

With APS Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), you'll mitigate the #1 fatal risk every pilot faces on every flight, Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I). Additionally, our integrated training ensures transformational skill transfer, enhanced resilience during any in-flight crisis, and improved manual handling, flight envelope awareness, and overall decision-making on every flight.

Crush Your #1 Fatal Risk

UPRT is proven to mitigate the risk of Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I), the #1 fatal risk every pilot faces.

Refresh Manual Flying Skills

Condensed, high intensity courses refresh and elevate manual handling and airmanship skills.

Revitalize Your Safety Culture

Increased knowledge and awareness inspire a renewed focus on safety for pilots and crews.

Maximize Value

Streamlined courses optimize the ideal training platforms to deliver excellence and unparalleled value.

We Graduate UPRT Masters

Our programs are expertly tailored to meet your unique safety needs and maximize the impact of your training investment. The tiered options below will be customized to your flight operations according to the APS 'Every Pilot In Control' UPRT Mastery Standard™.

Simulator-only UPRT in APS' state-of-the-art Flight Simulation Training Devices.

Effective Crew Resource Management
All weather scenarious
Low Altitude Scenarios
Lacks critical human factors, situational awareness and spatial orientation training

Required by ICAO for full LOC-I mitigation, on-aircraft UPRT provides the real-world experience to overcome human factors.

Human factors
G-Awareness
All-attitude
Lacks all-weather/ow altitude scenarios as well as CRM training capability

Customized to How, Where and What You Fly

WHAT YOU FLY

APS integrated UPRT delivers comprehensive, evidence-based training that equips pilots with universal upset recovery skills specific to your airplane types, ensuring enhanced safety and confidence across diverse flight operations.

WHERE YOU OPERATE

APS UPRT programs are customized to each pilot's operational environment, offering specialized high-altitude training and scenario-based exercises that mirror real-world conditions to ensure optimal preparedness and safety.

HOW YOU OPERATE

APS UPRT programs are tailored to the unique demands of different aviation sectors, providing specialized programs for military, corporate, and commercial pilots to enhance their operational effectiveness and safety.

EPIC-S2™ optimized

STANDARDIZED AND INDUSTRY-PROVEN

All APS UPRT programs are fully compliant with the industry's only upset training standard, the Every Pilot In Control Solution Standard™ (EPIC-S2™). This ensures your training meets and exceeds industry best practices, and that your training will be professionally and consistently delivered by any APS advanced instructor pilot.

EPIC-PRO™ Recurrent training

OPTIMAL SKILL RETENTION IN AS LITTLE AS ONE DAY

Like all advanced skills, upset training skills are perishable. APS offers thorough and flexible recurrent training programs that allow pilots to refresh and refine their upset recovery skills in as little as one day. Our customizable options ensure that pilots receive the most relevant and effective training tailored to their specific needs and operational environments.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RECURRENT TRAINING

EPIC-S2™ Critical UPRT implementation factors

The Every Pilot In Control Solution Standard™ (EPIC-S2™) establishes a benchmark for UPRT, filling a critical gap by providing a unified, industry-leading standard designed to maximize safety and ensure every pilot is equipped with the highest level of upset prevention and recovery training.

Elite instructors

Train with the Best

Global aviation authorities, including ICAO and the FAA, agree that a qualified instructor is the most critical element of effective UPRT. Our UPRT instructors bring thousands of hours of specialized experience as fighter pilots, test pilots, aerobatic pilots, commercial pilots, and Master CFIs. Beyond elite credentials, each instructor completes APS’s rigorous, standardized UPRT qualification program to ensure precise, proven training methods while avoiding negative training. With more Master CFIs on staff than any other flight training organization worldwide, APS instructors deliver excellence in UPRT.

Integrated Program

Academics, On-aircraft, Simulator & VR Training

The most effective, safe, and long-lasting upset training is accomplished through an integrated combination of industry-approved loss of control academics, proper use of all-attitude piston and jet airplanes, and expertly integrated advanced flight simulation training devices when appropriate. The tactical integration of these three training mediums provides an engaging learning environment required to ingrain powerful and resilient UPRT skills.

Training Intensity

Multiple Flights Over Multiple Days

In an unexpected airplane upset, accurate decision-making, resilience and measured reaction times are critical. Behavioral studies show practicing a skill multiple times intensely over multiple days develops deeper learning, faster decision-making and precise reaction time with accurate control response. Our minimum profile of four flights over three days builds the vital structured response, decision making, and reaction times you need to safely recover from a wide diversity of airplane upset conditions and provides a level of instruction that will allow those skills to remain second-nature should an event occur months or even years after training.

Best Practices Compliant

FAA/EASA/ICAO

Addressing regulatory-defined training content is a bare minimum and not optional. Some UPRT providers may skip what they think doesn’t matter, which is unacceptable. Over the past three decades, APS has worked closely with regulatory agencies and oversight organizations such as ICAO, EASA and the FAA to help them establish guidance and best practices for safe and effective Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. UPRT training at APS is in strict compliance with these guidelines, adhering to the strictest safety standards and proven training practices, and, most importantly, also includes critical features these organizations have missed.

Purpose-Built Platforms

Safe, Certified, All-Attitude Capable

On-aircraft training in an all-altitude aerobatic-capable airplane is essential for pilots to develop advanced manual handling skills, effectively develop a three-dimensional mental model, and overcome critical human factors that often derail successful upset prevention or recovery in a real world crisis event. Together with expert instructors following a comprehensive training curriculum, safe all-attitude aircraft that are fully recoverable from inadvertent spins assure the delivery of a complete program while guaranteeing a margin of safety essential to safe and effective UPRT.

Initial and Recurrent Training

Multi-day Initial with 1-Day Recurrent

The intensity of the initial APS UPRT program establishes a long-term, renewable knowledge and skill foundation that can be completely refreshed every year in a short, one-day recurrent course. The APS Every Pilot in Control Solution Standard includes the ability for pilots to take control of the design, content, and structure of their annual recurrent training sessions. In addition to the single day recurrent, pilots and flight departments can optionally choose from comprehensive menu of enhancements they feel best fits their personal and operational needs.

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Shawn Disarufino

10 Dec 2024

“Outstanding experience from beginning to end. Very informative classroom instruction amplified by the practical experience in the aircraft. I highly recommend this training to every professional pilot, regardless of experience level. By the way it was also a lot of fun! Thanks APS”

Brian Knauss

10 Dec 2024

“Great experience and great instructors. Beneficial for any pilot to learn advanced aerodynamics and experience it real time in a aircraft rather than simulator.”

Vito Mokhtar

19 Sep 2024

“The passion, the drive, the level of care and knowledge, it’s unmatched, it’s unbelievable, you walk in a pilot, you come out a hella of a confident pilot, exceptional client services, thank you for all you have taught me.”

Kesuma Suprobo

12 Sep 2024

“An incredible experience! The staff is extremely professional and the facilities are top notch! The training that they provide here is invaluable and lifesaving. The instructors were very experienced and had a wealth of knowledge. Thank you all for the training! I left knowing more and feeling more confident!”

Nick Harwood

3 May 2024

“A great group of people all around! The training was a blast and I learned a ton! I hate to say it but I was surprised at how much I learned. As a large cabin Gulfstream pilot I've certainly been through Flight Safety and the like a few times but have never looked at upsets and the recovery strategy like this. Most importantly, we put it into ...”

Andrew Alper

1 Apr 2024

“I am an owner operator of a CJ3+. I have been fortunate to have a lot of high quality training over my 45 years of flying. The four days I spent with APS in Mesa are easily the best aviation training I have experienced. The program is highly structured but the environment is relaxed, welcoming and friendly. I had three instructors all of whom ...”

Sean Johns

7 Mar 2024

“One of the most professional schools I have been fortunate enough to attend in my career. I take this type of training deadly serious and found it was very beneficial. I flew with “Duke” and he could not have been a better advanced instructor. All of the people at this school went out of their way to make it absolutely an amazing experience. Great ...”

Trevor Rowley

29 Feb 2024

“I am so grateful I was able to complete this training. I wish every pilot could do it! Life saving stuff. The recovery model is brilliant; simple and applicable to basically any situation and aircraft. Also, “Monty” is the absolute MAN! Thanks APS!!”

Monty Cox

6 Jan 2024

“First, let me say that APS offers truly invaluable training material. I am leaving with a stronger understanding of the upset recovery procedures as well as the aerodynamic principles of stalls and spins. After completing their program, I feel that I am a more confident, competent, and [most of all] a safer pilot. I can not recommend their upset ...”

Mark Smidt

13 Dec 2023

“Very good and very beneficial training for anyone of any experience level and type of flying. Most people don’t want to address worst case scenarios or don’t want to make the investment in it but I would highly recommend training with APS. They have developed a solid strategy for avoiding and recovering from loc-I and impart the knowledge and ...”

Paul Farrah

29 Sep 2023

“I've spend 2 intensives days with ground school and 4 flights in an Extra 300. Being a single engine PPL with low hours was at first quite intimidating given the air exercises required to go through the upset prevention and recovery training. The team at APS (Admin, Flight Ops, and Instructors) is outstandingly welcoming and made my experience so ...”

Brian Philipbar

22 Sep 2023

“Second time through APS for upset training, first time through the Mesa location. Both times were the 4 flight version. This second time I really built on what I learned, freshened up, and improved. I had a 5 year gap between courses and would argue that going to this on a recurrent schedule would be a wise investment. Facilities, aircraft, ...”

Kyle

6 Sep 2023

“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at APS. The entire staff throughout my two-day UPRT course was incredibly friendly, helpful, and attentive to each and every participant in the training and we all agreed that we felt our instructors connected with us personally to deliver the best possible knowledge transfer. The instructors are highly ...”

Wjcivic

29 Aug 2023

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the exceptional attention and training provided by your instructors and staff. The training I received from APS was nothing short of perfect and stands out as one of the, if not the best, training experiences I have had in my nearly 20-year aviation career. I cannot emphasize enough how much more ...”

Ryan Davis

2 Jun 2023

“I participated in the UPRT training at APS, and it was incredible. The staff is amazing, and they want you to get the best experience possible. The information and knowledge you obtain from the course is unforgettable as well as extremely beneficial to every pilot. I've never had so much fun in an airplane before, and if I ever get the chance I'll ...”

Mickey

26 Apr 2023

“As an airline and corporate pilot, I was hesitant about the value of this program. After completing the program, I have no doubt I am better prepared in the case of significant upsets. The instructors are top notch, the aircraft are well kept, the location is excellent for this training. On top of that, this is the most fun training I've ever had! ...”

Mike Wilhelm

10 Apr 2023

“From the introduction emails thru course completion, everything that APS does is first class and exceptional training! They have a culture and a process that sets the standard for all training vendors in the Aviation Industry! And ultimately, the APS Strategy for Upset Prevention & Recovery, is a highly effective tool that every pilot should ...”

Brian Perrin

31 Mar 2023

“Absolutely the most valuable training I’ve ever had as a professional aviator.”

M Pepi

3 Mar 2023

“Excellent program! Everyone at APS is fantastic- very professional and knowledgeable. They take safety very seriously there. It was extremely beneficial to experience first-hand in an aircraft how to recognize stalls, spiral dives, and unusual attitudes. The team did a great job explaining the elements of the aforementioned flight conditions, and ...”

Jeremiah Tenorio

24 Feb 2023

“APS Staff and Instructors were great. I enjoyed my entire time training here. Being a Gold Seal CFI, I understand the importance of upset recovery. However, with APS UPRT training I was able to take my understanding of Upset recovery to new heights. Most flight schools train you to recognize and recover from an upset. APS takes this a step ...”

Ángela Bach

11 Feb 2023

“Best investment in your flying career you can do. The quality of training is exceptional, every instructor was so knowledgeable and approachable at the same time. The ground sessions were very organized and well explained. The flights are so fun and you learn hands on about aerodynamics, stalls, spins and acrobatic maneuvers. In addition, every ...”

Autumn Chenette

4 Feb 2023

“I had a very great experience at APS. The customer service is world class, the teaching is phenomenal, and the facility/aircraft were great. The staff were incredibly kind as well. I have learned so much, and I look forward to coming back eventually to learn even more. Very crucial training I believe that all pilots should take to become safer! ...”

Anthony Hurst

17 Dec 2021

“This was my third training event at APS, and I feel like it gets better every time. I had some issues maintaining my previously scheduled training day and was accommodated multiple times on this trip for new training times. The instructors are some of the most professional and knowledgeable in the industry. Each time I come back I feel like I ...”

Nicholas Forbes

11 Nov 2021

“APS is an amazing experience. The people that work here are dedicated to their profession from the bottom to the top. McKenna, Cierra, and Blake do a great job in the operations department while the instructors are industry pros. Do not hesitate, book your course now.”

A Barber

14 Aug 2021

“Upset Recovery training was not only insightful on how the aircraft can perform in hazardous attitudes but was made fun as well! I strongly suggest all pilots in the commercial industry or in training for it take the opportunity this program gives to become a better, safer pilot:) You will learn to recover from aircraft upset conditions and how to ...”

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Professional Pilot UPRT