Archives: Market Intelligences

French Flight School Launches 100% Money Back Guarantee for Student Pilots

Astonfly, a leading flight school in France, launches an exceptional guarantee for students, the 100% Money Back Guarantee.

With 20 years’ experience in professional pilot training and more than 1500 students, Astonfly stands out with a failure rate of less than 5% in continuing training. It should also be noted that 90% of these failures occur during the theoretical phase, the first stage of pilot training. In view of this, since 2022 Astonfly has been committed to reimbursing training in full in the event of failure or withdrawal during the theoretical phase, the first 9 months of the student’s pilot training. By adapting the reimbursement clauses in the training agreement, Astonfly takes a considerable burden off the student’s shoulders:

  • financial security,
  • reduced stress, with a stress-free learning opportunity that boosts motivation,
  • confidence in the training and its quality,
  • total transparency and integrity on Astonfly’s part.

With this guarantee, the student can immerse himself in learning with the certainty that, should obstacles arise, he’ll never be left alone. It’s an assurance that his investment in training is protected, demonstrating Astonfly’s commitment to making the student’s success a priority. This guarantee isn’t just a promise, it’s a concrete commitment to the student and his future as a pilot.

How does it work?

When a student register, he will be asked to pay a deposit of no more than 10% of the total cost to confirm his commitment. Once training begins, the balance of the cost will be spread over 18 months, in line with learning progress. Thus, the student’s training begins with 9 months of theoretical training, during which Astonfly guarantee a full refund, including the deposit and monthly payments.

To guarantee an ethical and balanced commercial relationship, Astonfly is a signatory to the SNPL (Syndicat National des Pilotes de Lignes) charter, committed to defending the interests of future pilots. In this way, Astonfly guarantees the durability and sustainability of the student’s investment through the solidity demonstrated by the publication of its annual accounts, which it is practically the only company to respect.

In addition, all the clauses and details concerning reimbursement and training costs are clearly set out in the training agreement presented to and signed by each of the students. This agreement governs all relations between Astonfly and the student.

Source: Astonfly
Photo Credit: Astonfly (shown as meta image)

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Global Pilot Training Group BAA Training Places Order for 48 Cessna Skyhawk Aircraft

Textron Aviation announced an agreement with BAA Training for the purchase of 48 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft, expected to be delivered in 2026. The deal, inked at the Dubai Airshow, substantially expands BAA Training’s existing fleet, offering increased capacity for students, streamlining the flight training process and ensuring an overall enhanced student experience.

The Cessna Skyhawk is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

“For over six decades, the Cessna Skyhawk has inspired the next generation of pilots and served as the world’s leading flight trainer,” said Chris Crow, vice president of Piston Sales. “We are delighted to continue the relationship with BAA Training to provide their students access to the most produced single-engine aircraft globally.”

The stable flight characteristics, advanced avionics and demonstrated dispatch reliability of the Skyhawk have made it a dependable training platform. The new airplanes will be used by students to put them in the pilot’s seat of the most popular training aircraft in the world.

“BAA Training has set an ambitious milestone to achieve a capacity of 500-1000 students per year, necessitating a significant expansion of our fleet. We are glad to finalize this order, as the addition of 48 Cessna Skyhawks will bolster our resources, enabling us to accommodate the growing demand for training and further solidify our position in the industry,” said Marijus Ravoitis, CEO, BAA Training.

BAA Training offers comprehensive aviation training solutions for aspiring commercial pilots, ranging from Ab Initio training to Type Rating, available across multiple locations, including Spain, Lithuania, France and Vietnam. Additionally, pilot training services are provided through its consultancy office in India and a sales representative office in the UAE.

About the Cessna Skyhawk  

The Cessna Skyhawk is considered the aircraft of choice for pilot training, and it is the most popular single-engine aircraft in aviation history. Since the aircraft first took flight in 1955, over 45,000 Cessna 172 aircraft have been delivered to customers around the world — more than any other aircraft in the industry. The single-engine, four-seat, high-wing Skyhawk is renowned for offering the best combination of modern features, including the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with wireless connectivity, a standard angle-of-attack display system, and proven dependability. The aircraft also features McCauley’s aluminum fixed pitch propeller, providing greater reliability and operating time and a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine with 180 horsepower.

About Textron Inc. 

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipstrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.

About Baltic Aviation Academy

BAA Training is a prominent independent aviation training organization that is expanding globally. It is a family member of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider with almost 100 offices and production facilities worldwide. Headquartered in Lithuania, BAA Training also has simulator centers in Spain, France, and Vietnam, a sales representative office in Dubai, UAE, and a consultancy center in New Delhi, India.

It is part of the minority of Europe’s EASA-standard Approved Training Organizations (ATOs) delivering both Ab Initio and Type Rating training. Besides ATPL Integrated, BAA Training offers CPL Modular, cadet, and MPL programs. It owns full flight simulators and flight training devices for Airbus A320, Boeing 737 MAX, Boeing 737 NG, Boeing 737 CL and Boeing B747-400 types and has access to a network of over 69 partners’ full flight simulators in 29 locations.

Source: Textron Aviation
Photo Credit: Textron Aviation

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BAA Training France Announces New Full Flight Simulator Now Ready for Operations

BAA Training France, a new Paris based full flight simulator training center, announced that its new A320neo full flight simulator (FFS) is now ready for training. This is the fourth full flight simulator at the brand-new training center.

With this addition, BAA Training expands its A320neo dry/wet lease training services, available not just in Lithuania (2 FFSs), Barcelona (2 FFSs), and Vietnam (2 FFSs), but also in France from now on.

Having become operational, the A320neo FFS joins the previously installed and certified two B737 NGs and one B747-400 FFS at BAA Training France earlier this year.

Additionally, the center will soon achieve the A320 FTD Level 1 certification.

Source: BAA Training
Photo Credit: BAA Training

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Global Pilot Training Group AAG’s Teams Meet in The Philippines

Philippines’ largest pilot training organisation Alpha Aviation Group (AAG) Philippines shared that Captain Rao and Captain Bharath from AAG Centre for Aviation Training (ACAT), AAG’s sister company and full flight simulator training center in Chennai, India, visited AAG Philippines (AAGP) and AAG International Center for Aviation Training (AICAT) for an exchange of knowledge and insights to enhance processes and identify differences in each firm’s standards.

AAG operates flight schools and full flight simulator training centers around the globe.

Source: Alpha Aviation Group
Photo Credit: Alpha Aviation Group (shown as meta image)

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Vertex Solutions Elevates Military Operational Flight Training With First Operational Aircraft Mixed Reality Simulator In Support of USAF

20 November 2023 (Niceville, FL, United States) – Vertex Solutions, a leading developer of cutting-edge training solutions, including mixed reality (MR) pilot training, has been selected by Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to prototype and integrate a F-16 MR Flight Training Device (FTD) in support of the United States Air Force (USAF). This collaboration signifies a notable achievement for Vertex, marking their inaugural MR FTD venture supporting a military operational aircraft platform.

DIU recently awarded Vertex a prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreement for the Virtual Training for Air Dominance (VTRAD) T-38C MR FTD project, reinforcing the USAF’s Fighter/Bomber Fundamentals (FBF) tactical jet training course aimed at cultivating the next generation of jet pilots. In response to emerging training requirements, Vertex is now also prototyping an F-16 MR FTD configuration under this prototype OT agreement, which showcases the flexibility and agility of Vertex’s technical approach and DIU’s prototyping process.

Vertex has demonstrated success in securing crucial contracts in the realm of VR/MR Simulator technologies for defense and commercial training programs, establishing itself as a leader in the field. Vertex has been selected for three consecutive contracts from DIU in support of the USAF. A key achievement has been as a Prime contractor for DIU’s Pilot Training Transformation (PTT) program, where they showcased their prowess by delivering more than 200 VR Immersive Training Devices (ITDs) across multiple military bases, resulting in significant improvements in pilot training efficiency and performance. Furthermore, Vertex is leading the Multi-place Mixed Reality (MPMR) Program, introducing a complete MR simulator, which stands poised for evaluation and potential certification by the FAA. This cutting-edge simulator serves as a potential alternative to traditional full flight simulators, underscoring Vertex’s innovative approach. In addition, their expertise is also reflected in the development of the previously mentioned VTRAD/FBF T-38C MR FTD. These successive contract wins emphasize Vertex’s strategic progression and dominant presence in the VR/MR industry.

This latest collaboration with DIU marks another significant achievement for Vertex Solution. I am particularly excited to develop a MR simulator for an operational aircraft, and demonstrate the utility of MR simulators for advanced pilot training,” said Dennis Wikoff, President, Vertex Solutions. “We are honored to further our contribution towards enhancing the USAF’s pilot training, and eagerly anticipate pushing the boundaries of defense training solutions.”

DIU united small businesses in a collaborative effort to generate innovative solutions for intricate problems, a commitment echoed by Vertex’s recognized industry partners on this contract, which include Metrea, Ryan Aerospace, Varjo, and Bugeye Technologies.

About Vertex Solutions

Vertex Solutions, LLC (Vertex) is a distinguished certified woman-owned small business, boasting nearly three decades in delivering acclaimed training support services to both the U.S. Government and private-sector enterprises. Our strength lies in pioneering cutting-edge training technology, with a special emphasis on extended reality (XR) training devices. As the principal contractor for a suite of Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) initiatives, including the Pilot Training Transformation (PTT), the Multi-Place Mixed Reality (MPMR) flight simulator, and the recently launched Virtual Training for Air Dominance (VTRAD) program, we’ve successfully deployed in excess of 260 XR flight simulators, in addition to a myriad of other compact training devices, to the USAF and US Navy. At present, we’re actively engaged in the fabrication of an additional 50 training devices in support of the US Navy T-6 pilot training program and another 20 devices in support of the USAF Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT).

Source: Vertex Solutions

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European Government Owned Flight Training Academy Looking to Lease Multi-Engine Aircraft for 12 Months

A new European government owned flight training academy is looking for a solution to lease a multi-engine aircraft for 12 months in line with the below specifications.

  • The aircraft must be airworthy and registered;
  • MEP(land) class twin-engine aircraft (Piper Seneca PA-34-220T or Piper Seminole PA-44-180T or Diamond DA-42);
  • Equipped for training to obtain the authorization for flying MEP(land) class;
  • Equipped for training for obtaining an instrument flying authorization on a class of multi-engine aircraft – IR/ME;
  • Equipped for training for the implementation of PBN procedures (2D and 3D approaches);
  • Equipped with AUTOPILOT system;
  • The remaining working resource of the engine, at the time of signing the Lease Agreement, must be at least 500 hours and 12 months in time;
  • The remaining working resource of propellers, at the moment of signing the Lease Agreement, must be a minimum of 500 hours and a time period of 12 months;
  • Conducted annual inspection, not older than 6 months and parts with a calendar resource with a minimum of 6 months remaining at the time of taking over the aircraft
  • Equipped with an anti-icing or de-icing system;
  • Equipped with a radar system;
  • Equipped with S mode transponder,
  • Equipped with an Intercom system (if this is not already implied in the previous conditions for flying on the aircraft class);
  • For all installed equipment on the aircraft, there must be valid technical documentation on the installation; valid status STC, repair and modification
  • The aircraft must have POH. Aircraft maintenance log, engine maintenance logs, propeller maintenance logs, AD and SB status. W&B report not older than three years.

Delivery deadline: The aircraft must be delivered to the Tenant within 10 days of signing the Lease Agreement.

The aircraft is leased for a period of 12 months and 300 flying hours. The rent will be paid in advanced for 300 flying hours. Each hour of flying hours over the above will be paid additionally at the agreed price for the unit hour of rental.

If you know of a solution kindly contact us.

Photo: Diamond Aircraft (DA42)

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