Air Training Support

In May 1989, Captain Kiffor was hired by United Airlines as a Pilot Instructor. At that time, United provided classroom and simulator time for third-party companies providing contract training. Captain Kiffor, with his already-extensive contacts in the industry and his reputation, began providing contract training services using United facilities and other simulator providers to train flight crewmembers under FAR Part 61 and Part 63. He obtained exemptions from the FAA allowing him to provide this training and certification using FAA-approved simulators instead of airplanes.

C.A.E., Inc., was founded in 1992. A contract with Southern Air Transport provided the opportunity to obtain a FAR Part 121 exemption allowing C.A.E. to provide pilot and flight engineer training under FAR Part 121 Appendix H as a third-party training company. Together with previously-obtained exemption authority, Captain Kiffor built a strong contract training business providing training to both Part 121 air carriers and others, including foreign air carriers. C.A.E. earned a FAR Part 142 Operating Certificate on July 30, 1998. Under this certificate, C.A.E. was approved for training on the DC-8, DC-10, B-737, B-747, B-747-400, B-757, B-767, and A320 airplane types. C.A.E., Inc. was sold in July of 1999.

In November 1993, Captain Kiffor formed a second company, Air Training Support, Inc. (ATS). At that time, United Airlines had obtained more contract training work than it had available instructors, and asked Captain Kiffor to form a company to provide instructors and check airmen and assist United in fulfilling its contracts. In 1999, United moved its contract training operations in-house, and discontinued its business with third-party companies. Captain Kiffor then sought contracts to provide training and courseware for Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado, and for Big Sky Airlines, a Part 121 air carrier. ATS provides Part 121 Appendix H contract training for the DC-10, B757, B767, and the Beechcraft BE-1900, B-200, B-90. ATS currently has contracts with American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines, the Pan Am International Flight Academy located in Miami, Florida. ATS was issued its FAR Part 142 Operating Certificate on December 15, 2003. ATS has a Level C 1900D simulator on its 142 certificate, which was manufactured by TDI in 2001.

In addition to forming and managing two contract training companies, Captain Kiffor has held the positions of Pilot Instructor, Standards Captain, Line Check Airman, and Line Check Airman Coordinator, on the DC-10 and B747-400 airplanes, during a distinguished career with United Airlines.

Below is a partial list of C.A.E. and ATS customers since 1991. Some of the air carriers are no longer in business.