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6 RMIT Aviation Academy Pilots Awarded Leidos Aviation Scholarship in 2025

Aspiring Pilots from RMIT University Awarded Exclusive Aviation Scholarship

Australia – Six final-year RMIT students have been awarded a unique aviation scholarship, bolstering the domestic pipeline of aviation professionals. The Leidos Aviation Scholarship collectively offers recipients more than $150,000 in study support and provides them with specialised flight training, mentorships and a guaranteed career pathway upon graduation. The scholarship builds on the training offered by the RMIT Aviation Academy through real-life industry experience and connections, ensuring graduates are prepared for in-demand jobs in Victoria and across the region.

This year’s recipients include four who relocated from interstate specifically to study aviation at RMIT’s training facility at the RAAF Base Point Cook and two based in regional Victoria who are studying locally at RMIT in Bendigo. 

RMIT Aviation Academy Director Lea Vesic: “RMIT’s exclusive partnership with Leidos provides students with not just financial support, but access to specialised training that aligns with the unique operational needs of special mission aviation. Programs like the Leidos Aviation Scholarship are critical in ensuring we have a strong talent pipeline for the future, not just in the commercial passenger transport sector, but also in critical aviation services such as Search and Rescue operations.”

Leidos Airborne Solutions Vice President James Woodhams: “The aviation industry continues to face critical workforce shortages, and we are proud to be playing an active role in addressing these challenges. We recognise that the cost of flight training can be a major barrier to entry for aspiring pilots. By providing financial support and exposure to specialist aviation careers, we are helping to shape a pipeline of highly skilled pilots who can support vital national operations.” 

RMIT Aviation Academy Bendigo student Harreson Watts: “Aviation has always been a very important part of my life, both my dad and grandpa worked in the industry as engineers. I wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid. I love studying aviation at RMIT – there’s also the benefit of studying close to where I live. I’m thrilled to receive the Leidos scholarship; the special mission training will be particularly useful.”

RMIT Aviation Academy Point Cook student Anna Fakira: “I loved visiting the local airfield and using a 747 simulator when I was kid, but becoming a pilot seemed out of reach. I moved from Perth to Melbourne to study at RMIT, where this career was more attainable. Getting the Leidos scholarship is a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m really excited about the multi-engine training, mentorship opportunities and the employment guarantee when I graduate.”

Source: RMIT University
Photo Credit: RMIT University

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Turkey’s Freebird Airlines Becomes the First Airline to Directly Implement Lido Flight 4D IFS

Antalya, Turkey – Freebird Airlines has achieved another milestone by becoming the first airline to directly implement the flight planning solution Lido Flight 4D IFS without prior use of the legacy system, enhancing operational efficiency and optimizing flight planning processes.

Developed by Lufthansa Systems, Lido Flight 4D IFS is an advanced flight planning solution that enables airlines to calculate optimal routes by integrating real-time data, fuel efficiency measures, and operational constraints. With this cutting-edge system, Freebird Airlines strengthens its commitment to innovation and operational excellence.

“We are proud to introduce the innovative Lido Flight 4D IFS into our operations. This system allows us to optimize our flight planning, improve fuel efficiency, and enhance overall operational performance. By leveraging real-time data and dynamic routing, we continue to provide a more sustainable and efficient flight experience for our passengers,” said Murat Şentürk, Flight Operations Support Manager at Freebird Airlines.

“Freebird is one of our early adopters of Lido Flight 4D IFS and our first new customer to introduce the new system from scratch. Skipping legacy systems and adopting Lido Flight 4D IFS directly is a bold and progressive decision that demonstrates Freebird’s commitment to innovation. And it shows their trust in our technology and expertise. This approach sets a new benchmark for efficiency and modernization in the industry,” said Christian Baumbach, Chief Product Owner Lido Flight.

This implementation marks a significant step in Freebird Airlines’ ongoing efforts to integrate state-of-the-art technology and improve operational processes. With the Lido Flight 4D IFS system, the airline is set to enhance flight planning precision, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact.

About Freebird Airlines
Freebird Airlines, a subsidiary of Gözen Holding, has been serving the aviation industry for 45 years in representation, fuel supply, supervision, brokerage, safety, and training. Founded in 2000, Freebird operates internationally with 15 Airbus A320s and holds registrations in Malta and Turkey. Committed to sustainable aviation, Freebird invests in technology and employment infrastructure. It was the first airline in Turkey to receive ISO 9001:2000 Certification from TUV Rheinland in 2002 and became the first charter airline with IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) registration in 2006.

About Lufthansa Systems
Lufthansa Systems GmbH, the leading airline IT provider, has been shaping the future of digital aviation for almost 30 years. Helping airlines unlock their full potential, the company combines profound industry know-how with advanced technological expertise. A subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, the company offers its more than 350 customers worldwide a portfolio with often market-leading products that cover all airline business processes – on the flight deck, in the cabin, and on the ground. Lufthansa Systems is committed to improving its own environmental footprint and that of its airline customers of all sizes and business models. Headquartered in Raunheim near Frankfurt/Main, Germany, Lufthansa Systems employs around 3,000 people at its locations in 16 countries.

Source: Freebird Airlines
Photo Credit: Freebird Airlines

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Provider of Online ATPL Exam Preparation, ATPL Questions, Announces 2025 Partnership with Greece’s FSTC EUROPE

Greece – ATPL Questions, a leading provider of online ATPL exam preparation, has signed an agreement with FSTC EUROPE, an approved training organisation based in Athens, Greece, to integrate its Learning Management System (LMS) into the academy’s training program. The academy will use the platform to track their students’ progress, making their training process more efficient.

This collaboration reflects ATPL Questions’ continued commitment to supporting high-quality aviation training across Europe.

About FSTC EUROPE
Headquartered in Elefsina, in the surrounding area of Athens, Greece, FSTC EUROPE is an approved Aviation Training Organisation under EASA regulations established in 2014 by Capt. Kostas Katsikias and his team.

Source: ATPL Questions
Photo Credit: FSTC Europe

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New US Bipartisan Legislation Proposes Pilot Apprenticeship Program for Part 141 FTOs in 2025

USA – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL), alongside Representatives Don Davis (D-NC) and Troy Nehls (R-TX), has introduced H.R. 2182 – The Bipartisan Pre-Pilot Pathway Act – aimed at addressing the ongoing pilot shortage in the United States. The proposed legislation has also received backing from the National Flight Training Alliance.

  • The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot apprenticeship program within 12 months of enactment, specifically for Part 141 flight training facilities.

  • The voluntary program will allow participating schools to select up to eight apprentices per academic year.

  • The goal is to strengthen the national pipeline of qualified pilot candidates through early career engagement and structured mentorship.

  • The legislation is designed to leverage the structure and FAA oversight of Part 141 flight schools, which already provide comprehensive, curriculum-based training with dedicated resources and facilities.

“America is facing a critical pilot shortage and we must act before it’s too late. This is why I introduced the ‘Bipartisan Pre-Pilot Pathway Act.’ My common-sense proposal addresses our national shortage head-on by creating a pilot apprenticeship program to bolster our nation’s waning talent pipeline. Ensuring the safety and efficiency of American air travel should be bipartisan and I thank Representatives Davis and Nehls for joining me in this important initiative.” stated Congressman Byron Donalds.

Source: Congressman Bryon Donalds

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Safety and Human Factors Researcher Publishes Research Highlighting Training Background Influence on Safety Perception

Global – Captain Wesley Chan has published research conducted by Wen-Chin Li, Graham Braithwaite and himself comparing how pilots with different training backgrounds perceive and categorise accident causes under the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). The study has practical implications for airlines looking to integrate pilots from various pathways into a unified safety culture.

  • The study examined pilots from three training backgrounds: airline-sponsored cadet pilots, self-funded trainees, and ex-military aviators.

  • 121 pilots were asked to classify identical accident causal factors using the HFACS framework.

  • The research highlights the importance of culturally adaptive safety management systems (SMS) and may encourage refinements in how airlines assess and train mixed-background crews.

“We found differences between airline-sponsored, self-funded, and ex-military airline pilots on safety perceptions. Closer alignment between personal and organisational safety cultures (typical of ab-initio cadets) were associated with more precise attribution of unsafe preconditions, and less direct attributions to organisational or supervisory conditions.” stated Captain Wesley Chan.

You can check out the finding of the research here and connect with Captain Chan through his LinkedIn.

Source: Wesley Chan