Vilnius, Lithuania – headquartered global aviation training solution provider BAA Training, which operates full flight simulator training centers and flight schools around the globe, reflects on the aviation industry in 2024 as a year of innovation and operational challenges, detailing significant impacts on pilot training amid industry-wide disruptions and advancements.

Key Highlights from 2024

• Aircraft Delivery Delays: Opportunities and Challenges
  • Boeing and Airbus delivery schedules ran 30% below target, with a backlog of 17,000 aircraft leading to a 14-year delivery timeline.
  • Airlines increasingly relied on wet and dry leasing aircraft, creating uncertainty in pilot training schedules.
  • Delays provided opportunities for initial pilot training programs, preparing pilots for operational readiness in alignment with delayed fleet arrivals.

  “Pilots aren’t a resource you can put on pause,” stated Martynas Mazeika, Chief Sales Officer at BAA Training. “Training must remain proactive, ensuring pilots are ready when operations demand.”

• Momentum for Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) Programs
  • MPL programs gained prominence, streamlining pilot pathways and addressing pilot shortages.
  • Airlines adopting MPL have shown no signs of reverting to traditional CPL with Type Rating routes.
  • MPL’s appeal lies in offering a faster, targeted training solution amid the evolving perception of the pilot profession.

  “MPL aligns with modern airline needs, providing innovative cadet programs that appeal to aspiring pilots and support workforce recovery,” Mazeika noted.

• AI and Automation in Pilot Training
  • AI-driven simulators enhanced personalized training, adapting to real-time pilot behavior.
  • Automation shifted pilot roles toward system management, emphasizing situational awareness and decision-making.
  • Future integration of AI is expected to optimize training schedules, introduce virtual instructors, and simulate advanced scenarios.

  “Staying ahead of technology trends is essential for long-term industry readiness,” Mazeika added.

Source: Avia Solutions Group