Archives: Market Intelligences

Emirates Appoints Peter McCarthy as VP of Flight Simulation Training and Operations

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Emirates has appointed Peter McCarthy as Vice President – Flight Simulation Training & Operations, strengthening its leadership team as the airline prepares for future fleet expansions. McCarthy steps into the role as Emirates advances its training capabilities with a new state-of-the-art facility to support its Airbus A350 and future Boeing 777X aircraft.

Emirates’ new 63,318 sq. ft. advanced training facility, announced in February 2023, will house six additional Full Flight Simulator (FFS) bays.

Source: Peter McCarthy (Emirates)
Photo credit: Emirates (shown as meta image)

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Turkish Airlines Flight Academy to Significantly Grow Operations in 2025

Turkey – Turkish Airlines Flight Training Academy (TAFA), the pilot training division of Turkish Airlines, has expanded its training operations by launching flight training activities at Adana Şakirpaşa Airport. This new location marks TAFA’s fifth training center, joining its existing bases in Aydın, Uşak, Selçuk, and Bodrum-Milas.

  • Adana Şakirpaşa Airport will serve as a dedicated flight training center, following the Turkish government’s decision to keep it operational alongside Çukurova International Airport.
  • TAFA has deployed four training aircraft to Adana, with plans to increase this number to 18, depending on airport capacity.
  • The academy currently operates a fleet of 49 aircraft and plans to expand to 107 aircraft by Q1 2027, with 48 new aircraft expected by the end of 2025.
  • Over the past five years, TAFA has graduated more than 900 pilots and recorded 220,000 flight hours as of December 2024.

Statement’s

  • “Our President announced that Adana Şakirpaşa Airport will not be closed and will serve the region as a training center both at the opening of Çukurova International Airport and at Teknofest held in Adana,” said Ahmad Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Airlines.

Source: Ahmet Bolat (Turkish Airlines)

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US Training Aircraft Lessor is Seeking a Senior Director Of Aircraft Leasing and Maintenance in 2025

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA – Christiansen Aviation is seeking a Senior Director of Aircraft Leasing and Maintenance to lead its leasing division at Tulsa Riverside Airport (KRVS). As the largest U.S. leasing company specializing in training category aircraft, Christiansen Aviation supports both Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, providing a diverse fleet and in-house maintenance services.

This leadership role is ideal for candidates with extensive experience in capital equipment leasing, fleet management, or aviation operations, with a proven track record in strategic planning, financial oversight, and team leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

  • Lead a team of over 20 administrative and maintenance staff
  • Develop and implement strategies for fleet utilization, asset value maximization, and profitability
  • Report directly to the company President and collaborate with senior leadership on operational goals

Leasing Operations Management

  • Oversee the entire leasing process: customer vetting, pricing, lease structuring, renewals, and asset management
  • Manage contract negotiations and ensure compliance with financial and aviation regulations
  • Monitor lease performance and take corrective actions when necessary

Vendor & Customer Relationship Management

  • Build strong relationships with vendors, manufacturers, and clients
  • Negotiate vendor agreements and strategic partnerships
  • Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and retention

Maintenance Operations Oversight

  • Direct cost-effective maintenance programs ensuring airworthiness of returned aircraft
  • Manage maintenance planning, quality assurance, and FAA compliance
  • Optimize maintenance schedules and control costs

Financial & Asset Management

  • Develop and manage leasing and maintenance budgets
  • Conduct financial analysis and report to executive leadership
  • Oversee asset valuation, lifecycle management, and compliance with financial regulations

Regulatory Compliance & Safety

  • Ensure all leasing and maintenance activities meet FAA standards and financial regulations
  • Collaborate with legal and compliance teams for audits and risk assessments

Team Leadership & Development

  • Mentor administrative and maintenance staff, fostering a culture of safety and efficiency
  • Align team goals with company objectives and industry best practices

Candidate Requirements

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Aviation Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)

Experience:

  • Minimum of 10+ years in equipment leasing, fleet management, or asset management
  • At least 5 years in a senior leadership role
  • Experience in aviation leasing and knowledge of FAA regulations is highly desirable

Technical Skills:

  • Expertise in lease structuring, financial analysis, and risk management
  • Strong knowledge of aviation regulations (FAA) and financial reporting standards
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Leadership & Soft Skills:

  • Strong strategic planning and team management skills
  • Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building abilities
  • Ability to travel for vendor and client management

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strong network within the aviation or capital leasing industries
  • Proven success in driving growth and profitability in leasing portfolios
  • Experience in digital transformation and automation of leasing operations

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Salary: $140,000 – $150,000 + Performance Bonuses
  • Benefits: 401(k), Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off

To apply, please visit their website or contact Christiansen Aviation’s recruitment team.

Source: Christiansen Aviation

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Providing Accelerated Flight Training in the USA – 14DAYPILOT Flight Academy

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Capt.Dr.Gema Goeyardi – Founder & CEO of 14DAYPILOT Flight Academy – a California flight training academy that conducts training under Part 61 to achieve accelerated flight training.

The conversation covers:

  • Unique training model: Captain Gema Goeyardi, the founder and CEO, shared his extensive aviation background and explained the academy’s unique accelerated training model, allowing students to obtain a private pilot license in just 14 days.
  • International Student Base: The academy primarily trains Asian students and offers structured programs from private pilot to commercial multi-engine certification, with additional guidance on courses such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 type ratings.
  • Fleet Growth: 14 Day Pilot Flight Academy has expanded its facilities and fleet to meet growing demand. It upgraded classrooms and added glass cockpit aircraft with autopilot and GPS, including five Piper planes, a Cessna 172, a Piper Seminole, and a Beechcraft Baron 855. A new AATD simulator allows students to complete instrument and flight time training more efficiently.
  • Part 142: The academy is also launching an FAA Part 142-approved type rating center in Orlando, initially offering Airbus A320 training, with plans to expand to Boeing 737.
  • Pilot Demand & Industry Trends: While pilot demand in the US and Indonesia has stabilized, opportunities remain strong in regions like the Middle East and India. Additionally, there is a growing interest in recreational aviation and general aviation training in Southeast Asia.

For more information:

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

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Bye Aerospace Shares 2025 Partner Event Video

Denver, Colorado, USA -based electric aircraft developer Bye Aerospace has held a 2025 Q1 Partner event highlighting the exciting developments as the eFlyer 2 marches forward on the path for FAA Part 23 certification.

Check out the video below to learn more about the aircraft and Bye Aerospace.

Source: Bye Aerospace

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CAE Awarded Contract to Deliver Up to 50 Mission Trainer Devices Over 5 Years

USA – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and CAE are pleased to announce a long-term agreement for the development and production of the next-generation mission trainer for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). The contract with GA-ASI includes a firm order for 11 mission trainers, with the opportunity to deliver up to 50 devices over the next five years. The agreement brings together two industry leaders to enhance the training capabilities for operators of MQ-9B and builds on the long-standing business relationship between GA-ASI and CAE.

Recognized globally as the reference in synthetic training for RPAS, CAE leverages the latest visualization technology in the development of the next-generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian Mission Trainers. The trainers will employ the CAE Prodigy Image Generator to provide a highly realistic training environment to replicate flight operations. Powered by a state-of-the-art gaming engine, CAE Prodigy elevates training standards through an enhanced immersive training environment, high-fidelity graphics, and physics-based simulation. This cutting-edge technology enhances the realism and effectiveness of the training, ensuring that operators are well-prepared for their missions.

MQ-9B is the world’s most advanced RPAS delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under pole-to-pole SATCOM-only control and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. The platform is building a global operator list, with procurement contracts signed with Belgium,  Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises.

“GA-ASI and CAE have worked together to deliver leading-edge training to our customers for more than two decades,” said Jaime Walters, vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI. “Through this partnership, we will continue to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness for MQ-9B operators worldwide, and in particular, we see the new SkyGuardian Mission Trainers supporting our new Canadian customer. CAE’s comprehensive training solutions ensure that personnel are well-prepared to operate these advanced RPAS efficiently and safely.”

GA-ASI’s partnership with CAE is part of its Team SkyGuardian Canada initiative, which is focused on GA-ASI’s collaboration and investment with Canadian businesses following the Government of Canada’s selection of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian.

“This agreement underscores our commitment to advancing the capabilities of RPAS training and ensuring that MQ-9B SkyGuardian operators worldwide have access to the best training tools available,” said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, Division President, CAE Defense & Security, International. “Our knowhow, expertise, and experience put our customers on the cutting edge of training and readiness. Through our long-term relationship with General Atomics, we are proud to be the key partner of choice for training solutions involving remotely piloted aircraft systems.”

CAE is a leading provider of flight training and services and works in partnership with the world’s most advanced OEMs and defense forces to deliver integrated training solutions that ensure operational excellence and mission readiness.

About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.

About CAE
CAE, headquartered in Canada, provides simulation training solutions across civil aviation, defense, and security sectors. With over 75 years of industry leadership, CAE operates in more than 40 countries with approximately 13,000 employees.

Source: GA-ASI
Photo Credit: GA-ASI

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