New £21 million fund from British Airways to put 200 aspiring pilots from all backgrounds through training

                                  British Airways has announced a £21 million investment to give up to 200 prospective pilots the chance to follow their dream of flying for a commercial airline without the worry of self-funding the £100,000 cost of training, opening the door to being a pilot to more people than ever before.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy aims to attract the very best talent for the future generation of pilots while boosting social mobility and diversity within the airline’s pilot community. The airline works with community groups to help encourage applicants from people who may have previously been put off from applying due to cost.

Launched last year and open to applicants annually, the Academy is already training 100 future British Airways pilots who managed to beat off competition from more than 20,000 candidates to have the cost of their tuition paid for by the airline. Funding was in place for an initial 100 places on the 2025 programme, which has now been increased to 200.

It takes two years to complete training and become a qualified First Officer with the airline. British Airways currently employs around 4,000 pilots.

British Airways made the announcement during the airline’s appearance at Farnborough International Airshow, where it is exhibiting a brand new A320neo aircraft complete with new interiors. The aircraft flew into the show powered by more than 35 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

70,000 flying hours and counting: Affinity Flying Training Services returns to RIAT showcasing its array of aircraft

After reaching 70,000 flying hours, Affinity FTS, a leading UK aircraft supply and servicing provider, will be attending and exhibiting its range of aircraft at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2024. RIAT takes place in Fairford, England on the 19th - 21st July 2024.

Affinity will showcase its three aircraft types, the Phenom, Texan and Prefect, highlighting the crucial role its team plays in supporting pilots through the UK military flying training system (MFTS). Throughout the event, the Affinity team will be on hand to detail how Affinity’s platform agnostic approach helps scale-up the services it offers in short timeframes. This has enabled it to deliver impactful results that solidify its position as a dependable and reliable service provider of aircraft maintenance.

RIAT marks an important step in the company’s growth, following a successful year which has seen the aircraft support organisation grow to approximately 200 employees this year. Across the UK, the business operates 42 aircraft and has bases in RAF Valley, RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath. Affinity has delivered over 70,000 flying hours since 2016 with the 100,000-hour mark fast approaching. As the first step on the Military Flying Training System (MFTS) ladder, Affinity has a burgeoning reputation for on-time delivery in maintaining the planes that train the next generation of military pilots. Affinity was built as an organisation from the bottom up to solely focus on MFTS and its impressive record of delivery further supports its driving mission.

American Airlines offers clear path to pilot career with enhanced Cadet Academy

The enhanced American Airlines Cadet Academy offers a clearer path to becoming a commercial airline pilot. By simplifying the process of transitioning from flight school to the flight deck, the program makes pilot careers at American more accessible. The Cadet Academy is also focused on attracting a diverse pool of qualified candidates through its growing network of partner flight schools and other industry alliances.

A “one-stop shop” for aspiring pilots

It’s not uncommon for aspiring pilots to navigate a maze of flight schools, applications and interviews on their quest to earn a spot with a major carrier. The American Airlines Cadet Academy cuts through this complexity by offering:

Quality flight schools: American has partnered with a network of five high-quality flight schools to provide cadets with a strong foundation for their careers.

“One-and-done” interviewing: Cadet Academy participants go through a single interview process, eliminating the need to interview with multiple airlines throughout their training journey.

Guaranteed placement: Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive a placement with one of American's wholly owned regional carriers. American recently established contractual flow-through agreements with each carrier, allowing cadets to transfer directly to the mainline operation once seniority accrues.

A clear path to American: This removes the uncertainty of the traditional application process that typically follows flight school graduation, allowing aspiring pilots to focus on training and skill development.

American Airlines Cadet Academy adds flight school partners

Since its launch in 2018, the Cadet Academy has grown its network of partner flight schools. Today, the program offers cadets a diverse range of training options through five established institutions with locations and capacity to support the airline’s mainline and wholly owned bases of operation:

Infinity Flight Group: American recently welcomed Infinity Flight Group as its first East Coast partner, expanding its network and geography. As the largest flight school in the Northeast, Infinity has a strong commitment to safety, excellence and professionalism and provides comprehensive training tailored to the goals of the Cadet Academy and its cadets. Locations: Trenton, New Jersey; St. Lucie County, Florida (coming soon)

CAE: CAE is a global leader in aviation training. The program’s best-in-class instruction includes access to training requirements from a variety of regulatory bodies, preparing cadets for a successful global career. Location: Mesa, Arizona

Air France launches a new cadet pilot recruitment campaign

Air France is now accepting applications for its cadet pilot programme. Designed to train and launch the careers of the next generation of pilots, candidates of all ages and levels of flying experience are encouraged to apply.

The candidates chosen after a rigorous selection process will benefit from a full 24-month training programme entirely paid for by Air France and provided by the airline’s partner schools. At the end of the training, they will start their careers as First Officers:

- on Air France’s Airbus A220 and A320 aircraft

- on Transavia’s Boeing B737 and Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Becoming an Air France pilot means joining an airline with over 90 years of history. Air France pilots carry out their mission with the highest level of flight safety, technical expertise and eco-responsible piloting, with a constant focus on customer satisfaction.

Air France is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion and gender equality. The company actively encourages women to take up technical professions. The previous cadet pilot graduates were made up of 10% women (compared with 9% of women pilots within the company as a whole).

The recruitment campaign is now open and runs until 15 July 2024. To find out more about the programme’s eligibility requirements and selection process, go to https://corporate.airfrance.com/en/airline-pilot

In partnership with the Fédération Française Aéronautique (FFA) and the Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur (FFVP), Air France is offering aspiring pilots the chance to find out more about the cadet programme recruitment and training process at webinars on Thursday 6 June at 6pm (FFA) and Thursday 13 June at 6pm (FFVP).

.

easyJet reopens applications for 2024 Pilot Training Programme

The budget carrier easyJet has opened its renowned Generation easyJet Pilot Training programme, which takes aspiring pilots with little or no experience to the cockpit of an Airbus A320 commercial airliner in around two years as qualified co-pilot. Over 1000 new pilots are set to join easyJet by 2028 as part of a five year recruitment drive, with around 200 places now available this year. 

With still only around 6% of pilots worldwide being women, easyJet has been focused on tackling this industry-wide challenge for a number of years through initiatives including recruitment campaigns, its pilot school visits programme and Summer Flight School. 

As a result, 7.5% of easyJet’s pilots in the UK are women compared to the UK industry average of 6.5%, with around 300 women including 99 Captains now flying for the airline, which has continued to work on tackling stereotypes and misconceptions around the job and encouraging more women to apply. 

The Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme is now open for aspiring pilots to apply at Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme | CAE

Earlier this month the airline launched an online test which assesses some of the key skills required to become an airline pilot, after research revealed that half of Brits (50%) don’t know what qualifications are needed to become an airline pilot and learn to fly a commercial jet. 

To apply to easyJet’s Pilot Training Programme, aspiring pilots need to be aged 18 or over by the time they begin training and have a minimum of 5 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) of Grade C or above (or equivalent), including Mathematics, Science and English language – no higher qualifications or degrees are required. 

Brussels Airlines and Skywings Flight Training start new training for cadet pilots

Future pilots can be recruited by Brussels Airlines even before their pilot training starts.

                        Brussels Airlines launches a new partnership with Skywings, a flight training academy based in Antwerp. The program allows cadet pilots to be recruited by the airline even before they have started their training. Skywings will train these future pilots according to the high standards of Brussels Airlines and familiarize them to the airlines’ procedures.

Brussels Airlines has entered an exciting new era with growth and opportunities. New aircraft are joining the fleet and new destinations are being added to the network. To foster this growth, Brussels Airlines is hiring new recruits across the board. ​

To accelerate the onboarding process of first officers, Brussels Airlines launches a partnership with Skywings Flight Training in Antwerp. In close cooperation, a “Multi Pilot Licence-program” is created. This means candidates are being recruited together with the airline even before training starts. During the training, cadets immediately start the process for a Multi Pilot Licence (MPL), allowing them to fly planes with more than one pilot, which is the case of all aircraft Brussels Airlines operates. The candidates will also be trained on simulators and be familiarized with the procedures of the Belgium’s national airline.

Once the training is completed, these pilots can join Brussels Airlines as first officer on the A319 and A320 fleet, hereby making a lengthy selection process or an Ab Initio training within the airline redundant.

British Airways 'Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet programme opens for new applications

The airline is opening the application window for the second year of its fully funded Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet scheme on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. This follows an unprecedented response to its first-year intake which saw more than 20,000 applications for just 100 places.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy initiative, part of the airline’s £7 billion investment across the business, is aimed at levelling the playing field and making a career as a commercial airline pilot a realistic option for all, by removing the previously prohibitive cost barrier of individuals having to pay for their training themselves.

British Airways’ Director of Flight Operations Simon Cheadle, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be able to open the door to a flying career to more people through this programme.

Hundreds of local students experience their first taste of the aviation industry showing the sky’s the limit

The innovative aircraft supply and support organisation, Affinity Flying Training Services (Affinity) has teamed up for another year with the Air and Space Institute (ASI) to deliver a series of workshops for young, aspiring aviation enthusiasts. The sessions were tailored to give students support and direction, offering opportunities for young people with interests in aeronautics to speak with experts in the aviation industry and learn about exciting career pathways. 

Affinity, most known for being a trusted provider of aircraft supply and maintenance services for the first stages of the UK Military Flying Training System, has played a vital role to date in encouraging young people to pursue careers in aviation. Operating across the UK from RAF Barkston Heath, RAF Cranwell and RAF Valley, the company makes significant contributions to the UK’s military aviation sector. 

Affinity and ASI launched the series of workshops at the start of the year for students who are currently studying on their L3 pilot and aviation operations and L3 aircraft engineering programmes. The sessions provided invaluable insight for the students, who were able to meet with representatives from Affinity who shared their knowledge and experiences. The workshops experienced high levels of engagement from both the students and industry experts, offering the opportunity for Affinity to contribute to helping develop the next generation of aviation experts. 

TRU Simulation celebrates 10 years of innovation in flight simulation

TRU Simulation + Training has revealed that as it marks a decade of success in the aviation simulation industry, the company is rebranding to simply “TRU Simulation.” The new brand and logo reflect TRU’s shift away from providing pilot training experiences to a more targeted focus on designing, manufacturing and maintaining state-of-the-art, high-fidelity flight simulators to address the vital need for accurate and true-to-life pilot training tools.

TRU Simulation Inc., an affiliate of Textron Aviation Inc., is a Textron Inc. a company that designs, manufactures and delivers high-fidelity training devices and full-motion simulators for civil and defence customers.

“We are thrilled to celebrate TRU Simulation’s 10th anniversary, a significant milestone that showcases our commitment to excellence in advanced aviation simulation. We owe our success to our loyal customers and dedicated employees who have been instrumental in shaping our journey. Their trust and support have allowed us to deliver cutting-edge training tools that empower pilots to navigate the skies confidently,” said Jerry Messaris, vice president and general manager, TRU Simulation. “As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide safe, realistic and cost-effective simulators that meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry.”

Originally formed out of three legacy aviation companies, TRU Simulation has evolved since its founding in 2014 to address unique simulator needs for a wide range of customers. TRU prides itself on customizing simulator devices to meet specific customer needs while meeting or exceeding all regulatory requirements.

.

Your travel planning isn’t complete without learning the language—or at least some essential phrases. Fully immerse yourself in the language, or use Phrasebook to learn travel essentials—the choice is yours!

Airbus Flight Academy Europe upgrades training fleet with more sustainable aircraft

Airbus Flight Academy Europe, a 100% subsidiary of Airbus providing civil and military pilot training, has received its first batch of more fuel-efficient, quieter Elixir training aircraft as part of its sustainable development strategy.

The first four aircraft, out of a total of eight to be delivered, are equipped with a cockpit specially designed for the Airbus Flight Academy, including two Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS), to prepare cadet pilots for the technologies in today's most advanced commercial aircraft.

“We are delighted to announce that, following the delivery of our very first Elixir aircraft, our cadets will now be flying this quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft during the first flight phases of their training. This is a first step towards the gradual modernisation of the training fleet to reduce the environmental impact of our academy, says Jean Longobardi, Airbus Flight Academy Europe CEO & President”.

Airbus Flight Academy Europe Campus | Flight Bases & Resources | Airbus Flight Academy | Train | Services | Airbus Aircraft

Cathay Pacific celebrates 35 years of its Cadet Pilot Training Programme

Celebrating the graduation of the first group of cadet pilots from its integrated programme with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Cathay Pacific strives to deepen its contribution to Hong Kong society, focusing on nurturing advancement in the domains of youth, sports, arts and culture. The airline’s long-running Cadet Pilot Training Programme is a testament to its commitment on youth development.

Today marked the 35th anniversary of the Cadet Pilot Training Programme, as the airline continues its commitment to growing the next generation of young aviation professionals.

The ceremony also marked the first group of cadet pilots to graduate from its integrated programme developed and conducted in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and its new flying training partner, AeroGuard Flight Training Center. The 21 cadet pilot graduates join the airline as Second Officers, following the completion of their training.

Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam welcomed Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Liu Chun-san as the guest of honour at the graduation ceremony at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters. Civil Aviation Department Chief, Flight Standards Captain Lawrence Wong and PolyU Dean of Faculty of Engineering Ir Professor H. C. Man were also in attendance.

Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Liu Chun-san said: “Building on its 35-year legacy of nurturing local cadet pilots, the Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme has been continuously enhanced to provide high-quality and professional training for our pilots-to-be.  I would like to thank Cathay Pacific and PolyU for their commendable efforts in exploring new options to attract new blood into the aviation industry and enriching the capacity of aviation professional training in Hong Kong. ” 

Air Canada and CAE celebrate 5th anniversary of the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship.....

Air Canada and CAE, two Montreal-based global aviation companies, today marked the fifth anniversary of the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship and announced that applications for the 2024 edition of the Scholarship are now open.

Up to eight young Canadian women studying to become commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers will be awarded scholarships to pursue their training in 2024. Of the eight, four recipients training to be commercial pilots will join the CAE Women in Flight program as ambassadors.

"As this scholarship goes into its fifth year, it is incredibly gratifying to see the accomplishments of previous recipients. These young women have realized their dreams and are soaring high in all regions of Canada. From the cockpit of a 737 to a flight instructor job, these scholarship recipients are wonderful role models. I am so proud of Air Canada and CAE's support for Canadian women in aviation," said Judy Cameron, Boeing 777 Captain at Air Canada (retired), and Director, Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

"It makes me, and everyone at Air Canada, extremely proud to see the success of many of our past recipients of the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship. Already, some have achieved their goals of becoming commercial pilots or Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and I look forward to seeing their careers progress. And the future is bright not only for them, but the next group of recipients as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of this wonderful scholarship named after Air Canada's first female pilot. Congratulations to all," said Murray Strom, Senior Vice President, Flight Operations and Maintenance at Air Canada.

The sky’s no limit for learners at new EMA Academy launched with Nottingham College

Hundreds of jobseekers will be given the chance to pursue high-flying careers through a specialist Academy being created by East Midlands Airport and Nottingham College.

Nottm College Partnership - 1

The Academy will offer tailor-made pre-employment and upskilling training to around 200 adult learners a year.

The free two-week courses will equip them with the skills they need to take up jobs ranging from ground crew, baggage handling, security, customer service, or roles within hotels, car parks or logistics.

The development of the fully-accredited training forms part of EMA's five-year Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy ‘Working Together for a Brighter Future,’ with the latest progress update for 2022/23 published today.

The report shows how EMA is progressing on a number of CSR commitments, including increasing its use of energy from renewable sources, granting funds for local community projects, continuing to take action to reduce noise impacts, improving service for customers with reduced mobility and increasing the number of passengers reaching the airport by sustainable transport. EMA’s parent company Manchester Airports Group also released its group-wide CSR Report today, which set out progress made against five Jet Zero Pledges.

The innovative new training partnership with Nottingham College will provide local people with the skills they need to access the varying careers available within the aviation, tourism and logistics industries. In time further opportunities for training will be opened up, helping to ensure that local people and existing staff can easily access the full range of jobs and careers on offer at EMA.

Independent Pilot Development program launched by Mesa Airlines

Mesa Air Group, announced this week the launch of its Independent Pilot Development program (IPD), which will offer pilots “pay as you go” opportunity to build required flight time quickly, economically, and efficiently in brand-new Pipistrel Alpha 2 aircraft.

Unlike traditional time-building programs, IPD offers airline training materials, advanced computerized-based training, and pilot mentors, giving pilots a competitive advantage in the commercial aviation job market. IPD is designed to accelerate the time needed to achieve the required hours under the FAA’s mandated “1,500-hour rule”. IPD gives pilots a preferred interview with Mesa, or the ability to choose to work for any airline once they have reached 1,500 hours.

The program is available to any pilot who has obtained their commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating. Pilots are required to purchase a minimum of 50-hour blocks at $60 hour. Rates include fuel and are based on two-pilot flight deck occupancy.

To join the program, the following are required:

FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate

Multi-instrument rating with a minimum of 25 hours

Maintain 25 hours of flying time a month, and pilots may choose to fly up to 8 hours a day, based on availability

British Airways launches new "British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy" to train the aviators of tomorrow.....

Private training costs for aspiring pilots can cost around £100,000

The UK's leading carrier, British Airways this week confirmed it was launching a brand-new pilot cadet programme that will fund training for up to 60 aspiring pilots each year.

The British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy will see the incredible cost barrier of training to become an airline pilot, which can be as much as £100,000, removed, making the profession much more accessible. Successful candidates will be offered a place at an approved flight training school and, upon passing the course, a position as a British Airways pilot, helping the airline to ensure it has the right levels of future flying talent for years to come.

British Airways’ new Speedbird Pilot Academy will fund up to 60 places per year at an approved flight training school, with those who pass the course offered a job as a British Airways pilot

With initial training that can cost tens of thousands of pounds, the price of becoming a pilot has made the profession prohibitive for many. This cost will now be funded by British Airways – with a multi-million-pound investment from the airline into its next generation of pilots – making it a genuine career path for all aspiring pilots.

The airline remains committed to further increasing diversity in the aviation industry and is determined to increase awareness, visibility, and applications to this new cadet programme to people from all backgrounds – not just those who can afford the initial training costs.

Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “The Speedbird Pilot Academy will make the ambition of becoming a British Airways pilot a reality for people who’d previously written the option off because of the cost barrier.

“Our aim is to attract the very best talent out there for our future generation of pilots. Whether someone is just leaving school or embarking on a second career they never thought possible, we’re levelling the playing field by removing the initial training cost barrier to make a flying career more accessible to a wider range of people and giving everyone an equal chance.

“We fly to more than 200 destinations around the world on a range of aircraft types, providing pilots with an abundance of opportunities and making a career as a British Airways pilot extremely rewarding. This first-in-a-generation initiative will allow anyone to make it a reality.”

Paladin AI and Avion join forces to revolutionise pilot training

Paladin AI, a frontrunner in implementing Artificial Intelligence in flight simulators, has partnered with Avion to accelerate the enhancement of pilot training. 

This collaboration will see the integration of Paladin AI’s groundbreaking machine-learning training platform, InstructIQ®, into all Avion Full Flight Simulators.

Personalised training has become crucial for airlines and pilots in today’s aviation industry. Recognising this, Paladin AI has developed the most advanced competency inference engine for aviation training. InstructIQ seamlessly connects to existing training devices and leverages training media such as lesson plans and grading sheets to provide invaluable insights into proficiency and competency levels.

InstructIQ is a web and mobile platform for adaptive pilot training. Flight instructors install the application on iPads, while Paladin AI supplies the training centre with a data collector. Using the platform, flight instructors can access training analytics, electronic grading sheets, briefing and debriefing tools, and training recommendations. InstructIQ enables airlines and training centres to implement competency-based training at their organisation, saving money through more efficient training based on the individual pilot’s needs.

The integration of InstructIQ into Avion Full Flight Simulators will result in safer pilots and enhanced airline operations. This cutting-edge technology optimises training efficiency and effectiveness by leveraging data-driven pilot competency analytics while minimising costs and resources.

“We are thrilled to partner with Avion to transform pilot training and bring a new era of excellence to the aviation industry,” said Adolfo Klassen, CEO of Paladin AI. “By combining Paladin AI’s expertise in AI implementation with Avion’s state-of-the-art Full Flight Simulators, we will empower airlines to deliver personalised and data-driven training that ensures safer skies and more competent pilots.”

Manoj Pandey, CEO of Avion, added, “Our partnership with Paladin AI marks an exciting milestone in the evolution of pilot training. By integrating InstructIQ into our Full Flight Simulators, we can provide our customers with unparalleled training capabilities, enabling them to achieve higher proficiency levels and operational efficiency. This collaboration will redefine the future of pilot training.”

The Avion A320 Full Flight Simulator, located at the Luton-based Avion Flight Training Centre UK, will be the first device fully equipped with Paladin AI’s InstructIQ module. Paladin AI and Avion invite industry professionals to witness the module in action at London Luton Airport.

Paladin Ai is a pioneering company with state-of-the-art adaptive learning technology. It is a leader in applying the power of artificial intelligence to the complex learning environments present in aerospace. Paladin AI has built the first independent, device-agnostic training tool – InstructIQ – that integrates with flight simulators to provide insights to pilots and instructors about the skill and readiness demonstrated in each flight.

Avion is a renowned Full Flight Simulator manufacturer that provides realistic and immersive training experiences for pilots. With a commitment to excellence, Avion delivers industry-leading solutions that enable airlines and flight training centres to achieve the highest pilot training standards. Avion’s solutions 

Airbus and AURA AERO partner to decarbonise pilot training

Airbus Flight Academy Europe, a 100% subsidiary of Airbus that supplies training services for the French Armed Forces pilots and civilian cadets, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AURA AERO, an aircraft manufacturer specialised in fully-electric designs, to jointly approach decarbonisation for pilot training by introducing electric-powered aircraft for commercial and military pilot formation.

Under this agreement, Airbus Flight Academy Europe will collaborate on the initial development of INTEGRAL E, a fully-electric, two-seater trainer aircraft, ideally suited for initial stages of pilot training. While operating from an airfield equipped with superchargers, the INTEGRAL E aircraft can be charged in 20 to 30 minutes, granting the aircraft an hour of flight endurance.

“Our target at Airbus Flight Academy is to operate a low-carbon aircraft fleet by 2030,” said Airbus Flight Academy Europe CEO, Jean Longobardi. “We are excited to collaborate with AURA AERO in this field and are convinced that, by combining our expertise, we can meet the ambition of decarbonising to the current pilot-training approach. INTEGRAL E could become the first step to a broader partnership.”

CAE selects Vienna for its new business aviation training centre.

The six-simulator centre is set to open in 2024

One of the globes leading aviation training specialists, CAE has announced that its new business aviation training centre will be in Vienna, Austria, with scheduled operations set to start in the second half of 2024. 

In addition, CAE will deploy the first Bombardier Global 7500 full-flight simulator (FFS) in Europe, making pilot training on this popular aircraft type more accessible and convenient for operators in the region.

"Vienna is the ideal location for CAE's new business aviation training centre in Central Europe. This new centre will be a game-changer for business aviation training in the region, offering programs on the region's most sought-after aircraft platforms in an immersive learning environment," said Nick Leontidis, CAE's Group President, Civil Aviation. "CAE Vienna is another example of the significant investments we are making to bring business aviation training closer to where our customers operate their aircraft."

CAE will initially operate six state-of the-art FFSs in Vienna, including the Global 7500, a Global 6000 Vision, and four yet-to-be-announced FFSs for business jets from leading manufacturers. The new 8,000-square-metre facility will have space for expansion with a capacity for up to nine FFSs and will be purpose-built to deliver the most advanced pilot training experience in Central Europe.

In addition to the Vienna training centre, CAE is expanding and optimizing its business aviation network around the world. In November 2022, the company launched business aviation training at CAE Singapore on a newly installed Gulfstream G650 FFS. In April 2023, it inaugurated its first West Coast business aviation training centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. Looking ahead, CAE will continue to expand its network with new training centres in Lake Nona, Florida and Savannah, Georgia set to begin operations in the second half of 2023. 

13 students begin studies at the airBaltic Pilot Academy

On May 15, 2023 already the 18th group of 13 students began their professional pilot studies at the Latvian national airline’s airBaltic Pilot Academy, aiming to receive a commercial pilot license upon completion of the full-time airline transport pilot program.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic: “Highly-trained personnel is one of the key factors of successful operations at any airline. Since its establishment in 2017, the airBaltic Pilot Academy has produced skilled aviation professionals, with 100 active students currently pursuing their dreams here. Thus, we congratulate the young and determined students of the 18th group, who started their studies today to become professional pilots.”

The 18th group represents such countries as Latvia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Lithuania, France, and Spain.

There are 100 active students at the airBaltic Pilot Academy at the moment. Most of them are from Baltic countries, however, there are students also from other EU countries such as Germany, France, Finland, Spain and Italy among others. Overall, more than 10% of airBaltic Pilot Academy students are female. As for now, 78 students, after graduating, have joined airBaltic.

Since May 2022, airBaltic Pilot Academy has improved the payment structure for its commercial pilot study program. As of now, after successfully passing the company’s assessment, airBaltic will finance a significant part of the studies.

Students of the airBaltic Pilot Academy will now have to cover the costs of studies until obtaining a private pilot license level, costing approximately EUR 25 000. After passing airBaltic pilot assessment and becoming an employee of the company, the airline will provide financing for the rest of the studies.

More information about the Pilot Academy: www.pilotacademy.com.

Building a hydrogen aeroplane.....KLM starts collaboration with AeroDelft student team.

On 1 April 2023, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines starts a collaboration with the AeroDelft student team to work on its Project Phoenix: building a hydrogen-powered aircraft. Developing and testing a hydrogen-powered aircraft will generate important insights into how hydrogen could be applied in aviation, including the design of liquid hydrogen tanks and crucial safety features. This puts KLM at the forefront of the development of new aviation technologies.

KLM and AeroDelft share the idea that air travel is essential for people and various sectors, but that innovation in aviation is vital. KLM is starting a collaboration with the AeroDelft student team in order to become part of various ecosystems around the technologies of the future, such as flying on hydrogen.

With this initiative, KLM and AeroDelft want to contribute to the development of hydrogen technology and the associated preconditions. This could include certification, regulations, and infrastructure. The technologies currently under development still face many challenges, such as the distribution and transport of liquid hydrogen.

About Project Phoenix

The aim of AeroDelft's Project Phoenix is to build a hydrogen-powered aircraft. The project involves developing a drone, the Phoenix-Prototype, which will serve as a steppingstone in the development of the first, manned, liquid hydrogen-electric aircraft, the Phoenix Full-Scale.

The Phoenix Prototype runs on an electric motor powered by liquid hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The drone has already completed its first flight, making an important contribution to AeroDelft's experience with hydrogen-powered flying. This involved testing whether the drone could fly on liquid hydrogen and if it could be controlled from the ground.