Archives: Market Intelligences

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

Related Posts

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

European Union Aviation Safety Agency Launches Call for Expression of Interest – for Direct Accreditation of Qualified Entities in the FSTD Domain

Europe – The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has launched the Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) 2025.01, seeking Qualified Entities (QEs) for direct accreditation in the domains of Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTD) and Flight Testing.

The initiative provides organizations specializing in aviation safety, simulation, and flight testing with an opportunity to collaborate directly with EASA.

Selected Qualified Entities (QEs) will be accredited to support EASA’s regulatory and oversight activities.

Source: EASA
Photo Credit: EASA

Related Posts

Nigeria’s NCAT Completes Factory Acceptance for ELITE PI-40/42 Simulator, Set for Delivery in 2025

Switzerland and Nigeria – The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) has successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Visit (FAT) at ELITE Simulation Solutions in Zurich, marking the approval of the ELITE PI-40/42 Diamond simulator for shipment to Zaria, Nigeria.

“We are honored to partner with NCAT in bringing the first ELITE PI-40/42 simulator to Nigeria. This simulator will play a crucial role in enhancing pilot training efficiency and ensuring high standards of flight safety and operational excellence for which NCAT is known throughout the African continent.” – Rene Huddlestone, Director of Marketing & Sales, ELITE Simulation Solutions

  • The ELITE PI-40/42 simulator is an open cockpit Diamond DA40 model convertible to a DA42, offering high-fidelity flight training capabilities.
  • This is the first ELITE PI-40/42 simulator to be delivered to Africa, enhancing NCAT’s advanced pilot training programs.
  • NCAT’s expert pilots rigorously tested the simulator for flight dynamics, avionics accuracy, and overall performance, confirming its compliance with high training standards.
  • The simulator is expected to enhance pilot training efficiency, flight safety, and operational excellence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

About ELITE Simulation Solutions

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ELITE Simulation Solutions is a global leader in flight simulation technology, providing high-fidelity training devices for flight schools, airlines, and aviation training organizations worldwide.

Source: ELITE Simulation Solutions
Photo Credit: ELITE Simulation Solutions

Related Posts