Business jet simulators - the changing face of pilot training

With strikes, delays, crowded airports and staff shortages across the aviation industry, the last few years have seen an unparalleled rise in the use of private aviation for both business and pleasure, with clients now seeing it as an essential rather than a luxury expense.

However, private as well as commercial pilots need to complete their training and then re-test regularly in order to keep their licences. Part of this involves training on a simulator identical to the plane they will be flying, but there are now so many different types of private aircraft that getting a slot on a relevant simulator is becoming problematic.

Here, Jim Scott, owner of components solutions specialist Artemis Aerospace, discusses the emergence of 'bespoke' flight simulators in response to this issue and how the company is leading the way in business jet simulator creation.

A simulator, or training device, artificially recreates an aircraft flight. It reacts to internal factors such as the use of flight controls and can reproduce the effects of external ones such as weather, turbulence, air density and wind force.

Making private aviation more efficient, affordable and sustainable

Flowings: making private aviation more efficient, affordable and sustainable

Sharing economy now also reaches the luxury segment

The number of private jets worldwide has doubled compared to 20 years ago, and according to The Guardian’s recent report, last year more flights by private jets were flown than ever before and expresses concerns about the environmental impact. To make matters worse, in Europe alone, many of these luxury jets are flying without passengers, either to or from their destinations, depending on client needs and these flights are often known as empty-legs.  

Dutch company Flowings, wants to put an end to these empty-legs with its own platform, which displays the empty flights of all private jet providers worldwide. From a simple search, these flights can then be booked directly and at competitive rates. Flowings makes private flying more efficient, affordable and sustainable. 

The soft launch of Flowings will take place on 24 May during the EBACE aviation fair in Geneva.

Different, better and more profitable

Floris van den Ende from Rotterdam, the man behind Flowings was a commercial photo model and as such, flew around the world for years, later working at The Hague Airport, where he gained knowledge and experience in the airline industry. His love for aviation even led him into joining a flight academy, and he went to work for a private jet operator. While working there, he regularly saw aircraft leaving empty. He thought, that surely there had to be a way to do that differently, do it better and more profitable?  van den Ende shifted his focus, and his entrepreneurship started. Two years later, he is working - partly from Lisbon - with the help of investor, Jan Willem Broekhoven and a team of web developers and technicians to develop the booking platform Flowings.

Floris van den Ende, said: "It's obviously a shame that so many planes fly empty, when there are plenty of people who want to book such a jet at a competitive rate. Currently, a lot of money is just lying around; with Flowings, I bring supply and demand together. This makes private flying more efficient, which in turn leads to better sales. We are also doing our bit to make the aviation industry more sustainable this way."

Entrepreneur Jan Willem Broekhoven on his decision to invest in Flowings: "Personally, I am a big fan of the sharing economy and, like Floris, I have a soft spot for flying. His idea of filling empty private jets immediately appealed to me greatly for both reasons. Research shows that these ‘empty leg flights’ involve hundreds of millions, which is the gap Flowings jumps into. Aircraft can't stay at small airports, so they have to keep going, ideally with passengers on board. I always say ‘execution is 99% of success’, and seeing how adept and committed Floris is, gives me every confidence in Flowings' success. Flying is one of my greatest hobbies, for Floris it has now become business."

In Europe there are 1.5 million private jet flights every year, but between 15 to 35% of these flights are flown empty!

Flowings: making private aviation more efficient, affordable and sustainable

Sharing economy now also reaches the luxury segment

The number of private jets worldwide has doubled compared to 20 years ago, and according to The Guardian’s recent report, last year more flights by private jets were flown than ever before and expresses concerns about the environmental impact. To make matters worse, in Europe alone, many of these luxury jets are flying without passengers, either to or from their destinations, depending on client needs and these flights are often known as empty-legs.  

Dutch company Flowings, wants to put an end to these empty-legs with its own platform, which displays the empty flights of all private jet providers worldwide. From a simple search, these flights can then be booked directly and at competitive rates. Flowings makes private flying more efficient, affordable and sustainable. 

The soft launch of Flowings will take place on 24 May during the EBACE aviation fair in Geneva.

Different, better and more profitable

Floris van den Ende from Rotterdam, the man behind Flowings was a commercial photo model and as such, flew around the world for years, later working at The Hague Airport, where he gained knowledge and experience in the airline industry. His love for aviation even led him into joining a flight academy, and he went to work for a private jet operator. While working there, he regularly saw aircraft leaving empty. He thought, that surely there had to be a way to do that differently, do it better and more profitable?  van den Ende shifted his focus, and his entrepreneurship started. Two years later, he is working - partly from Lisbon - with the help of investor, Jan Willem Broekhoven and a team of web developers and technicians to develop the booking platform Flowings.

Floris van den Ende, said: "It's obviously a shame that so many planes fly empty, when there are plenty of people who want to book such a jet at a competitive rate. Currently, a lot of money is just lying around; with Flowings, I bring supply and demand together. This makes private flying more efficient, which in turn leads to better sales. We are also doing our bit to make the aviation industry more sustainable this way."

Entrepreneur Jan Willem Broekhoven on his decision to invest in Flowings: "Personally, I am a big fan of the sharing economy and, like Floris, I have a soft spot for flying. His idea of filling empty private jets immediately appealed to me greatly for both reasons. Research shows that these ‘empty leg flights’ involve hundreds of millions, which is the gap Flowings jumps into. Aircraft can't stay at small airports, so they have to keep going, ideally with passengers on board. I always say ‘execution is 99% of success’, and seeing how adept and committed Floris is, gives me every confidence in Flowings' success. Flying is one of my greatest hobbies, for Floris it has now become business."

Airbus launches the bizz-jet version of the A220 - come take a look.

Airbus Corporate Jets launches ACJ TwoTwenty business jet

It's been a long time coming,  first mooted at Farnborough Air Show a few years ago when it was confirmed Airbus would be taking over the CSeries programme from Bombardier. But finally, the A220 corporate jet version is here - well very nearly!

Airbus Corporate Jets has launched the imaginatively named ACJ TwoTwenty business jet,  hopefully creating a whole new market segment “The Xtra Large Bizjet.” 

This new offer from the Airbus will feature for the first time a flexible cabin catalogue, addressing the requirements of the heavy and long-range business jet categories, making it ideal form global travel. 

“We are proud to extend the ACJ product Family with the launch of the ACJ TwoTwenty. The aircraft combines intercontinental range, unmatched personal space and comfort for all passengers. This latest technology platform offers unbeatable economics and unrivalled reliability,” said Benoit Defforge, President ACJ. “Based on its compelling market appeal, we see promising demand for this aircraft in the growing business jet market.”

First-orders -   Airbus Corporate Jets has already won its first orders for the ACJ TwoTwenty totalling six aircraft. While Comlux has revealed an order for two aircraft, four further jets were ordered by undisclosed customers.   Entry into service of the first ACJ TwoTwenty by Comlux Aviation is targeted for early 2023.

New Magellan Jets membership programmes launched

Magellan Jets welcomes guests to experience purely private travel with the launch of new pay-as-you-go membership programs.

Ideal for new private flyers transitioning from commercial travel, our new membership programs provide the consistency and flexibility of guaranteed access to four aircraft categories, with minimal initial investment and lower annual renewal rates. Members enjoy 12-month locked-in hourly rates and can fly on as little as 12 hours’ notice, with no blackout dates or peak surcharges.

“We are simplifying our programs to focus on lowering barriers to entry. Now, more than 9 million American households and businesses that used to rely on airline service have unprecedented access to purely private business aviation solutions at an unbeatable value,” says Magellan Jets President and Co-Founder Anthony Tivnan. “Traditional views around private jets are outdated. We’re here to help America fly again.”

All members have guaranteed access to the highest quality aircraft available. There is also a Premium Membership option, with additional benefits to enhance the experience:

Premium Membership: $14,500 initiation investment ($9,500 renewal) Access to 2007 or newer model in 4 categories 12-hour call-out time Multi-aircraft available for daily use 22 High volume days Carbon offsets complimentary Catering & Wi-Fi included

Membership: $8,500 initiation investment ($4,500 renewal) Access to 2000 or newer model in 4 categories 24-hour call-out time Single aircraft available for daily use 40 High volume days Carbon offsets available for purchase Catering & Wi-Fi available for purchase