University of Southern Australia Study Urges Enhanced Training and Simulator Adoption to Strengthen General Aviation Pilot Training

Australia – A new study from the University of South Australia (UniSA) is calling for stronger pilot training measures to address persistent safety challenges in general aviation (GA), which accounts for more than 90% of aviation-related fatalities. The findings, published in the Journal of Air Transport Management, highlight the urgent need for recurrent training, simulator use, and innovative learning tools to improve safety standards.

  • Review of 46 studies showed human factors and training deficiencies are the leading contributors to fatal GA accidents.

  • Human factors cited include pilot error, poor decision-making, reduced situational awareness, and spatial disorientation, particularly in poor weather and at night.

  • GA flights in poor visibility are seven times more likely to result in fatal crashes, while night operations have accident rates up to eight times higher than daytime.

  • Critical flight phases such as takeoff, landing, and low-altitude manoeuvring were identified as the most hazardous.

  • Researchers warn that many GA pilots maintain only minimum legal currency rather than true proficiency, with long gaps between flights causing sharp skill declines.

  • The study calls for:

    • More recurrent and emergency training

    • Greater use of simulators, VR, and AI-driven tools for cost-effective skill building

    • Proactive use of real-time flight data to identify risks before accidents occur

    • Expanded focus on mental health, following evidence that fatigue, financial stress, and workplace culture may contribute to safety risks.

Statements

  • “It is not just a recreational sector, but an integral part of Australia’s aviation system, yet the data consistently shows a poor safety record when compared with commercial airline operations,” said lead researcher and UniSA PhD candidate Emma Sheffield.
  • “We need to normalise ongoing, hands-on training, whether in the air, in simulators, or through the use of emerging technologies,” added UniSA Associate Professor Paul Lee.
  • “General aviation doesn’t have to accept its poor safety record. We know where the risks are and it’s time to act on that knowledge,” concluded UniSA Aviation Professor Shane Zhang.

Source: University of South Australia

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Emirates Flight Training Centre Seeking to Recruit Manager Flight Training Support Services

United Arab Emirates – Emirates Flight Training Centre is recruiting a Manager Flight Training Support Services, a leadership position responsible for ensuring the efficiency, compliance, and optimisation of the airline’s training operations across its advanced flight training facilities. Emirates Flight Training Centre offers an advanced facility with full-flight simulators for Emirates’ Airbus and Boeing fleets. It is a modern training facility for its flight deck and Cabin crew.

Lead our training operations, build global ATO partnerships, and drive a data-led culture to deliver world-class training. If you have strong managerial experience in the airline industry, knowledge of crew planning/scheduling, and proven leadership skills—this is your chance to make an impact.” shared Boyu Hu, Recruitment Partner at Emirates.

See the below job post – to apply click here:

“Provide oversight of Flight Operations Training to ensure efficient daily operations. Establish secure, well-maintained facilities and optimise resource allocation to enhance trainer productivity, minimize disruptions to line operations, and increase third-party revenue through GCAA/EASA ATOs. Manage travel, accommodation, and scheduling for external consultants while supervising trainer productivity and compliance. Oversee all training-related IT systems, classrooms, kiosks, and ground instructor schedules. Promote a data-driven culture in Flight Training by enhancing data governance, developing dashboards for insights, providing analytics for decision-making, and implementing master data management.

Job Outline

  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with regional and global Approved Training Organisations (ATO)/ Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for outsource training needs based on the airlines demand.
  • Manage the governance aspects of outsourced training globally, including securing the required training slots, establishing, and overseeing robust payment processes, administering GCAA approvals, duty travel related processes and visa requirements for trainees. Act as the main point of contact for outsource facilities management and personnel and maximising revenue generation from GCAA and EASA ATO operation.
  • Act as the primary liaison with the Network Control Centre (NCC) to develop a long-term training delivery plan for Flight Operations Training and coordinate with third-party providers. Collaborate with Manpower Planning on trainer and consultant needs while ensuring roster planning aligns with training objectives and regulatory standards. Manage training scheduling, address last-minute changes, and handle late-notice adjustments due to illness or system failures.
  • Oversee the management of documentation, processes and systems relating to Flight Training to include the management of flight crew training records and assessments. Training Captains initial and renewal authorities issued by GCAA and reconciliation of licence payment.
  • Drive a data-driven culture in Flight Training by enhancing data governance standards and creating dashboards to present critical business and training data. Provide analytics to support quick and efficient decision-making across departments. Develop and maintain a data definition glossary, establishing clear ownership and access protocols. Introduce master data management as a new capability to streamline data utilisation.
  • Identify and implement strategic improvements in processes and productivity within the training program, developing solutions and associated policies. Monitor program implementation and analyse statistics to take corrective action as needed. Participate in projects to enhance systems and processes, ensuring Flight Training maximises its resources effectively.
  • Responsible for the cost-effective management of the Flight Training programme, including drafting the annual Flight Training and ATO Budgets for sign-off and monitoring the on-going management of costs against the budget raising any concerns/anomalies to the Cost Centre Holder. Ensure the productivity of training captains is consistently monitored and maintained, unit costs minimised, and efficiencies increased wherever possible.
  • Oversee the Policy and Procedures Manual, and Footprint Manual, ensuring they align with organisational standards. Manage KPIs and related reports to deliver accurate insights into Flight Training performance and drive continuous improvement.
  • Develop and track all external/internal contracts/SLAs between Flight Training and internal and/or external stakeholders to ensure to Flight Training plan. Ensure that corrective action is taken where service failure/concern exist.
  • Lead, motivate and inspire the Training Administration team to deliver accurate and consistent output. Responsible for the management and administration of external consultants travel, accommodation and roster patterns to ensure their productivity is effectively utilised and maximised.

For more information on the role or to apply click here to Emirates Careers job post.

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

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Skyborne Launches Flight Instructor Recruitment Drive at United Kingdom Bases in September 2025

United Kingdom – global pilot training group Skyborne which operates flight training bases across the United Kingdom and the United States, has announced new recruitment opportunities for flight instructors at its UK bases, offering sponsored ratings and career advancement pathways to meet growing demand across its training network.

  • Skyborne is hiring for positions at both Gloucestershire Airport (Cheltenham HQ) and its new Bournemouth Airport training centre, reflecting expanding capacity in the UK.

  • The roles offer fully bonded sponsorship for additional ratings, including potential hour building on multi-engine piston aircraft at Skyborne’s Florida base in Vero Beach.

  • Compensation & benefits:

    • Salaries around £55,000 per year (experience-dependent)

    • Performance-based incentives

    • 30 days paid annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) on a 4.5-day work week

    • Private health care (for instructor and spouse)

    • Generous pension scheme and corporate partner discounts

  • Applicants must hold a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate and an unrestricted Flight Instructor Certificate. Previous experience is preferred but not required.

  • The initiative follows the opening of Skyborne’s second UK training base at Bournemouth, complementing its Gloucestershire HQ and Vero Beach, Florida fair-weather training site.

Source: Skyborne

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Flight Simulator Manufacturer HAVELSAN Ramps Up Airbus A320 FFS Output – to Deliver Multiple Devices in 2025

Ankara, Turkiye – headquartered flight simulator manufacturer HAVELSAN, has added another Airbus A320 full flight simulator to its production line in September 2025. The flight simulator manufacturer has invested significant time and resources to develop state of the art Airbus type specific training devices to support Airbus operators and independent training centers around the world.

In addition to device deliveries to Airbus A320 airline clients, HAVELSAN is proud to be supporting independent pilot training center operators including IFTC and Simaero with one EASA certified A320ceo/neo full flight simulator already in operations at IFTC and the Simaero device being delivered in 2025 to Simaero’s brand new training center in Delhi, India.

In 2024 HAVELSAN announced it would ramp up activities and support for airlines and simulator training centers including the ability to manufacturer up to eight full flight simulators per year as well as work with airlines to support them expanding their simulator training center operations through flexible solutions.

HAVELSAN is especially putting focus on providing industry leading after sales support, discussing with customers long-term cooperation projects and this has been well received by airlines and training centers with HAVELSAN currently having over six full flight simulators under construction.

Source: HAVELSAN

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