Archives: Market Intelligences

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series AFM’s Customer Success & Business Development Manager Agata Marszalek speaks with Vito Preti – the CEO of Professional Aviation – one of the largest Italian flight academies, based in Bologna. Professional Aviation Academy is a premier provider of aviation training, offering a full range of programs that include both theoretical and practical instruction for aspiring pilots.

The conversation covers:

• Company Background: Vito Preti, with a military aviation background, founded Professional Aviation based on the best practices from his career, aiming to offer high-quality training for pilots. The academy is known for its high-quality training in both technical flying skills and professional attitudes.
• Modern Fleet and Facilities: Professional Aviation boasts a fleet mainly consisting of Tecnam Aircraft, Cirrus Aircraft for instrument training, with Garmin avionics for seamless student transitions. They also offer now training in helicopters, ensuring a modern and versatile learning environment.
• Student Intake and International Outreach: The school trains 80 to 100 students annually, with an increasing number of international students. Classes are conducted in English, and the academy offers both EASA and GCAA licenses, expanding its global reach. Partnerships with banks provide financial support for Italian students, with plans to extend this to international students. The academy has recently expanded into helicopter training, addressing the growing demand for pilots in sectors such as offshore operations and air ambulance services.
• Industry Trends and Challenges: Vito notes a strong demand for pilots expected to continue for the next 10-15 years. Vito highlighted the importance of long-term investment and infrastructure in aviation training, noting the growing demand for pilots globally. He also discussed challenges like instructor retention and the need for improved campus facilities to meet students expectations. Professional Aviation is focusing on developing a campus to offer a comprehensive training environment.
• Key Advantages: Professional Aviation employs 100% full-time flight instructors, many of whom have military or airline experience. This ensures a highly professional and standardized training process, with instructors fully dedicated to student development. The school operates a modern aircraft fleet and uses advanced scheduling tools (such as FlightLogger) to ensure efficient planning for both instructors and students. The recent expansion into helicopter training further broadens their scope and appeal.

For more information:

• Vito Preti’s LinkedIn
• Professional Aviation Website

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

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