King Schools has added three new courses – the Garmin-produced G5000 Essentials, G5000 Essential Plus and Aviation Weather Radar 2.0 – to its iLearn internet learning platform.

These courses add to the range of Garmin avionics training that King has provided for over 14 years. The courses included are on the GNS 430/530 and G1000 avionics. Plus, a new King Garmin GTN 650/750 course will be available in October of 2019.

King Schools CEO Barry Knuttila commented, “We genuinely enjoy helping pilots get the most out of their amazing Garmin equipment. These new courses focus on the professional/jet market, and the King Schools iLearn platform will give those pilots easy access to get proficient quickly.”

Pilots can access the King Garmin avionics courses using any internet-connected desktop or mobile device. Many of the courses can be taken even when offline on iPads and iPhones using the King Companion app. The courses are designed to be self-paced and lessons can be retaken as many times as desired.

The Garmin G5000 Essentials 2.0 and 2.0 Plus courses prepare pilots to get the most out of their avionics using videos, graphics and explanations that introduce users to the G5000, explain line replaceable units (LRUs), and demonstrate the pilot-aircraft interface. The courses also include a flight scenario.

The Garmin Aviation Weather Radar 2.0 course introduces pilots to radar fundamentals, operational principles, industry standard practices and operational considerations and techniques for all phases of flight. This course also addresses the features, functions and operation of airborne weather radars: GWX 70, GWX 75 and GWX 80, as well risk management related to weather threats.

Pilots can also look forward to a new King Schools Flying The Garmin GTN 650/750 course to be released in October. The first four lessons have been released as a free video course, “Say Hello to the Garmin 650/750”. The free course includes lessons on the GTN home page, start-up pages and knobs, the direct to key and nav/com tuning and volume.

King Schools co-chairman John King comments: “This free course welcomes you to the rewarding world of flying with the Garmin GTN 750 or GTN 650. These wonderful systems will enhance your situational awareness and reduce your workload better than any other navigation system that has come before. Our goal is that when you get done with this course, you'll be able to operate both the 750 and 650 very competently and take full advantage of what they can do for you. Your GTN will be a big help in your most important job as a pilot risk management.”

The other King co-chairman, Martha King, adds: “The advanced touch screen technology of the Garmin GTN 750 and 650 is an absolute dream when you know how to use it. This course is much more than a manual or simple how-to video. The on-screen graphics demonstrating the operations are easy to follow and will have you up to speed quickly and efficiently The videos use vivid real-life scenarios with clear instructions that prepare you so well that when you get in the airplane, your hands and eyes will automatically go to the right place.”

Pilots who have known John and Martha King and have used King Schools courses over the decades will be interested to know that the they have taken steps to ensure the continuity of the company. According to Martha, “We're no longer young kids just starting out, even if we still feel that way.”

“Step one,” says John, “is that we have been coaching company CEO Barry Knuttila, who has become a warm, personable video instructor for King courses. Our customers will observe that Barry is taller, younger and better looking than we are.

“Step two is that Barry has assumed an ownership role in King Schools. Martha and I are still owners, and we are staying active in the company and will continue to be video instructors. It's just that as the company grows and expands the number of courses it offers; we need Barry's expertise and the continuity he will provide.”

“This is a big deal to us,” continues Martha. “In the 45 years we have been in business, John and I have been the only owners of King Schools. We've never had a partner before.” Barr is seen as the perfect partner, according to John: “He is an accomplished pilot and flight instructor who is passionate about aviation; he owns a Beech Debonair and is typed in our Falcon 10. He is also competent, ethical, and kind and respectful to everyone. We are thrilled to be associated with him.”

Meanwhile, Women in Aviation International (WAI) members can now get discounted King courses, scholarship opportunities and other premiums from King Schools.

WAI president and founder Dr. Peggy Chabrian explains, “Martha and John have been consistent supporters of WAI from the very beginning of the organisation. This agreement is an exciting extension to the cooperation we have enjoyed through the years. We are thrilled that the Martha King Scholarship for Female Flight Instructors will continue and that WAI members will enjoy even more benefits from King Schools.”

John King says, “Dr. Peggy and her WAI team have created an organisation that connects members with opportunities and inspires people; promoting aviation with passion and purpose.” Co-chairman Martha King continues, “WAI has been helping the entire aviation industry by relentlessly evangelising that women can have a career, wildly succeed and play a critical role in all parts of the growing aviation industry. They have given away more than 12 million dollars in scholarships, benefitting an astounding number of people.”