Archives: Market Intelligences

McAir Aviation Expands to Colorado Air and Space Port, Deploys 5 Aircraft for Training

Colorado, USA – McAir Aviation, a Denver-area FAA Part 141 flight training organization and member of the Spartan Education Group (SEG), has officially expanded its operations to Colorado Air and Space Port (KCFO), deploying five aircraft to the new location to enhance training capacity and operational flexibility.

  • Located just east of Denver International Airport (DEN), the new base provides access to uncongested airspace ideal for pilot training, allowing for improved student throughput, reduced delays, and greater scheduling efficiency — key factors in accelerating pilot readiness amid growing national demand.
  • The Watkins site will serve as an extension of McAir’s existing training facilities in Broomfield, Colorado, supporting its Altitude Pilot Pathway, a structured airline pilot career program launched in 2023 in partnership with Allegiant Air. The pathway provides cadets with an integrated training and mentorship framework, guiding them from initial training through to potential employment as First Officers at Allegiant.
  • The expansion also complements McAir’s broader collaborations with regional aviation education partners, including the Metropolitan State University of Denver, reinforcing a shared commitment to aviation workforce development across Colorado.

Statements

  • “McAir’s partnership with Colorado Air and Space Port is a natural extension of our mission to prepare the next generation of pilots through training and strong industry partnerships,” said Tom Rogers, Chief Flight Instructor at McAir Aviation.

About McAir Aviation
McAir Aviation, founded in 1994 and located at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), is an FAA Part 141-approved flight training provider serving students from across the U.S. As part of the Spartan Education Group, McAir plays a critical role in training future airline pilots through structured pathways like the Altitude Pilot Pathway in partnership with Allegiant Air.

Source: McAir Aviation
Photo Credit: McAir Aviation

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Leading Edge Aviation Integrates Boeing’s Area 100 KSA CBTA Program into Pilot Curriculum

United Kingdom – headquartered flight training group Leading Edge Aviation, which operates flight training bases in the UK and Spain, has shared that is has contributed to Boeing’s new Competency-Based Training & Assessment (CBTA) suite. The initiative represents a major advancement in the integration of Area 100 Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) training into theoretical knowledge courses, aligning flight schools more closely with modern airline competency frameworks.

  • The CBTA suite, designed by Boeing over the past two years, provides a structured set of interactive lessons, media resources, and assessment tools to enhance the delivery of Area 100 KSA—a core EASA requirement emphasizing decision-making, communication, workload management, and leadership within pilot training.
  • Leading Edge Aviation contributed as a development partner, offering operational insights and feedback from students, instructors, and ATO leadership to support Boeing’s goal of bridging the gap between regulatory compliance and real-world airline operational needs.
  • The content has now been fully integrated into LEA’s theoretical knowledge syllabus, ensuring cadets gain exposure to CBTA principles from the earliest phase of training.

Statement

  • “The standout moment this year was joining Boeing as they unveiled their new Competency-Based Training & Assessment (CBTA) suite — a powerful set of lessons and media designed to enhance Area 100 KSA training during Theoretical Knowledge Training,” said Dave Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Leading Edge Aviation. “It was a privilege to join Nick Munns and share insights from our experience implementing the CBTA materials. This content is now fully embedded in our training delivery — exciting times ahead for aviation training!”

Source: Leading Edge Aviation

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Leading Edge Aviation Hosts First Pilot Selection Day for Aurigny–Norse Career Pathway

United Kingdom – headquartered flight training group Leading Edge Aviation, which operates flight training bases in the UK and Spain, has marked a significant milestone in its exclusive pilot career pathway partnership with Aurigny Air Services and Norse Atlantic Airways (UK), hosting the first joint pilot selection and assessment day at its Oxford training campus. The collaboration provides newly qualified pilots with a structured progression from regional turboprop operations to long-haul widebody flying.

  • The program offers Leading Edge graduates a defined route from the ATR 72-600 operated by Aurigny Air Services—Guernsey’s national carrier—to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Norse Atlantic Airways (UK) at London Gatwick.
  • The first assessment day welcomed candidates shortlisted through LEA’s integrated ATPL program, jointly evaluated by recruitment teams from both partner airlines.
  • Additional assessment rounds are planned for early 2026, following strong interest from graduating cadets and continued recruitment across the Aurigny–Norse route network.

Statement

  • “This opportunity will fast track the careers of our pilots like no other opportunity” – Andy McFarlane, CEO

About Leading Edge Aviation
Leading Edge Aviation is a firmly established pilot training academy with a fresh approach and an emphasis on holistic training. Offering the highest standards of regulatory technical training, students also benefit from a comprehensive professional and personal development curriculum to enhance non-technical skills. This is delivered through ‘The Whole Pilot®’ Approach, which focuses on developing diverse abilities that go beyond just technical proficiency. Based at London Oxford Airport and Alhama, Southern Spain, and with a commitment to holistic pilot development, Leading Edge Aviation offers a range of modular and integrated training programmes, including the innovative LEAP (Leading Edge Airline Preparation) course—a full-time integrated course with BSc degree (UK only) and a comprehensive graduate airline selection preparation workshop. Facilities at both locations support a comprehensive educational experience, combining modern aircraft and simulators, advanced learning technologies, and a vibrant student living environment. Leading Edge also delivers modular training (including Ground School, MECPL, CBIR, MEIR, uMAP (university Modular Airline Preparation), A-UPRT (Advanced Upset Prevention Recovery Training), APC MCC (Airline Pilot Standards Multi Crew Co-operation) at its UK base in Oxford. 

Source: Leading Edge Aviation

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Global Flight Training Group Airways Aviation Conducts Pilot Training Seminar at ThePilot.in’s in November 2025

India – Airways Aviation conducted a pilot training seminar on November 7, 2025, hosted at ThePilot.in’s new Mumbai office in Borivali West, bringing together aspiring pilots from across India to explore international flight training opportunities at global flight training group Airways Aviation.

  • The session was led by Rizwan Taj, Airways Aviation’s representative, and attracted over 50 virtual attendees alongside an in-person audience.
  • The seminar focused on global pilot training pathways, highlighting Airways Aviation’s integrated and modular programs in Australia, designed to prepare cadets for professional aviation careers in accordance with CASA as well as the flight group’s European EASA pathways.
  • The discussion covered entry requirements, visa processes, and structured progression from foundational training to commercial pilot certification, with emphasis on Australia’s favorable flying conditions and internationally recognized licensing system.

Airways Aviation operates a DGCA ground school in Hyderabad which supports aspiring pilots before they continue their training at one of Airways Aviation’s global locations.

Source: Airways Aviation

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CAE Delivers Embraer E190 Full-Flight Simulator to TAP Air Portugal in 2025

Portugal – CAE has announced the delivery of an Embraer E190 Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) to TAP Air Portugal, further strengthening the airline’s in-country pilot training capabilities. The simulator is now installed at TAP’s training facilities in Lisbon and CAE will ensure full compliance with EASA Level D standards, enhancing training realism and supporting TAP’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence.

The FFS training center currently operates A320 and A330 full flight simulators.

Source: CAE

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Hillsboro Aero Academy Holds Professional Pilot Program Seminar in Seoul, South Korea in October 2025

South Korea – Hillsboro Aero Academy (HAA), one of the United States’ largest professional pilot training providers for both fixed-wing and rotorcraft, hosted a Professional Pilot Program Seminar in October 2026 at The Plaza Hotel Seoul, as part of the State of Oregon’s 2025–2026 Trade Mission to Korea and Japan.

  • The Seoul seminar, led by Ashley Souza, HAA’s Senior International & Domestic Admissions Representative, offered two sessions for prospective pilots, parents, and counselors, providing insight into U.S. professional pilot training programs, F-1 and M-1 visa pathways
  • he event formed part of HAA’s broader engagement during the Oregon Trade Mission, where the academy—representing the state’s aviation and education sectors—met with airlines, helicopter operators, training institutions, and business aviation leaders across Korea and Japan.
  • During the mission, HAA also reconnected with long-standing partner Korea Aerospace University (KAU), reaffirming a joint commitment to academic collaboration and professional pilot career development between Korea and the United States.

Source: Hillsboro Aero Academy

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Nebraska, USA’s Ignite Flight Academy Highlights New Partnership with Sallie Mae to Offer Full Financing for Pilot Training

Nebraska, USA – Ignite Flight Academy has partnered with Sallie Mae, a major U.S. private education loan provider, to offer flexible financing solutions for aspiring pilots. The new funding option is designed to make pilot training more financially accessible by covering up to 100% of Pro Pilot Program costs.

Curious to learn more about Ignite Flight Academy – check out the interview it did with AFM earlier this year here.

Source: Ignite Flight Academy

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Simaero Expands A320 Training Capacity in Paris – RFT Targeted in December 2025

France – Simaero, a global operator of full-flight simulator training centers, has announced the ready for training status of new A320 ceo/neo full-flight simulator (FFS) and increased training slots at its Paris Charles de Gaulle Training Center, starting December 2025. The new device—currently in the final phase of certification with the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC)—will become fully operational before year-end, significantly increasing Simaero’s A320 training capacity in Europe.

  • The A320 ceo/neo Level D simulator will expand Simaero’s Paris-based fleet to two Airbus A320 FFS devices, offering airlines greater scheduling flexibility and planning visibility ahead of the 2026 training season.
  • The new A320 CEO/NEO simulator, manufactured by China Simulation Sciences Co., Ltd. (CSS), is being assembled and integrated in-house by Simaero’s technical and engineering teams and will be co-located with an A350 FFS inside the company’s new Paris CDG training center, which opened in April 2025.
  • The Paris installation coincides with Simaero’s broader international growth strategy, particularly in Asia. As AFM reported, Simaero will launch operations in India by January 2026, pending DGCA approval as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO).  The India training center will initially feature an Airbus A320neo FFS for type rating and recurrent training,

Source: Simaero

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Blackshape and Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise Jointly Exhibit at Dubai Airshow 2025

Europe & Middle East – Blackshape Aircraft, the Italian aircraft manufacturer known for its advanced composite training and surveillance platforms, is exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow 2025 in partnership with Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE). The two companies are showcasing their aircraft and pilot training offering at the Inspiration Zone, Booth 2027, from 17–21 November.

This appearance follows a year of active collaboration between the two organizations under their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abu Dhabi, which formalized a strategic partnership to expand training, defense, and civil aviation solutions across Europe and the Middle East.

In December 2024 AFM reported that Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE) welcomed the arrival of the Blackshape Gabriél aircraft at its base in Cyprus. The aircraft underwent a series of test flights and assessments by IAE’s expert teams to explore its applications in firefighting and military training, surveillance, and specialized civil missions.

Learn more about Blackshape Aircraft by listening to its AFM interview earlier this year.

Source: Blackshape Aircraft & Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise
Photo Credit: Blackshape Aircraft

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