APS | Recurrent Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT)

An immediate and accurate pilot response is critical to prevent an airplane upset that can quickly lead to Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I). Unfortunately, general pilot training requirements do not cover the counter-intuitive and time-critical skills necessary to prevent and overcome LOC-I. For more than three decades, APS collaborated with aviation’s key industry leaders, safety organizations, and regulatory agencies to refine the best practices for effective Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT).

The Every Pilot in Control Solution Standard (EPIC-S2) is the resulting practical UPRT methodology incorporating the six Critical UPRT Program Implementation Factors necessary to produce an unparalleled and effective UPRT solution for every fixed-wing pilot.

Every Pilot In Control Solution Standard™

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.

5.0

Google reviews overall rating

Aviation Performance Solutions

See All Reviews

Frank McGrath

26 May 2025

“Without a doubt, this is the type of training which one prays they will never have to put into practise. But, I have have been flying commercially for 35 years and have had a licence for longer than that and I must say this was the 4 most valuable days of training in an airplane that I have ever had!! All aspects of the training are logical, ...”

Rain Vasquez

11 Mar 2025

“Invaluable training! Although the mechanics of an unusual attitude recovery can be replicated in the sim, there is simply no substitute for practicing them in an actual aircraft. APS provided an excellent training environment to experience stalls, unusual attitudes and spin recovery all under the supervision of very experienced and friendly ...”

Paul Roddy

28 Feb 2025

“Just home from a 4-day training event at APS. All three pilots in our flight department have now completed the same course (Jet Pilot Integrated Upset Training plus High Altitude) and the experience was exceptional for each of us. The attention to detail in all facets of the operation are noteworthy. The people working and running APS are what ...”

Rafael Ricardo

25 Feb 2025

“Very nice and professional environment and operation. Excellent team from reception to instructors. Very well designed and structured training program and maneuvers sequence during all lessons. I had a great deal of experience and knowledge exchange! Thank you all APS Team!”

Stelios Voutsinos

27 Jan 2025

“Professional and customer oriented training. Excellent program that would benefit any pilot. Looking forward to the recurrent training!”

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 ...”

Key Resources

Video

The Every Pilot in Control solution standard™ (EPIC-S2)