The Flight Research International (FRI) UPRT courses are advanced pilot training offering our clients direct exposure to upset recovery techniques and scenarios, using aircraft types very similar to the ones they currently operate. Our fleet consists of over 40 aircraft of various types, including subsonic and supersonic military jet trainers, corporate jets, turboprops, aerobatic general aviation aircraft, and helicopters. Our instructors are seasoned and engaging professionals with diverse backgrounds as astronauts, test pilots, aerospace engineers, and decorated combat veterans.

FRI’s upset recovery program begins with an advanced ground school focused on the aircraft design principles pertinent to expediting upset recovery. We describe how pilots can make maximum use of aircraft performance, handling qualities, and flight controls to return to the “heart of the flight envelope” expeditiously – concepts that translate into maneuvers the student will execute during their flights. Everything we teach in the classroom directly relates to a practical element of instruction conducted in the aircraft.

The flight phase begins with detailed maneuver descriptions and video examples as well as common student errors. A thorough pre-mission brief is conducted so the student is well prepared to execute the maneuvers in flight. FRI uses a build-up approach in the conduct of flight training, beginning with the fundamentals of energy management and lift vector control, culminating in the student demonstrating competence in advanced upset techniques and recoveries. The instructor and student then conduct a comprehensive flight debrief, thoroughly recreating the flight and reviewing UPRT concepts learned.

Flight Research UPRT meets all FAA, EASA, and ICAO UPRT compliance standards, and caters to any professional pilot’s training needs. This course is essential for the confidence and competence of pilots, and is widely regarded as the most robust and comprehensive program in the world.

All Flight Research UPRT aircraft have been carefully selected, certified, and maintained to carry out the highest level of training possible. At the heart of our jet UPRT course is the North American Sabreliner business jet. With its military pedigree and outstanding handling characteristics, it allows pilots to train in an airplane very similar to their own while learning to recognize and recover from advanced upset scenarios. The Aermacchi Impala complements the Sabreliner in the jet UPRT course. A fully aerobatic training jet, it allows us to safely demonstrate and train scenarios that we would otherwise not be able to experience in flight.

Some of our other training aircraft are the King Air, T34C, Bo-105, OH-58, T-67, and the T-38 supersonic jet trainer, just to name a few.