Archives: Market Intelligences

Training Aircraft Manufacturer Bye Aerospace Partners with Battery Supplier for 2026 Test Flight

USA – Electric propulsion system provider magniX has been selected by electric aircraft manufacturer Bye Aerospace to supply its Samson battery system for the eFlyer 2 prototype training aircraft. The aircraft’s first flight is scheduled for early 2026, marking a significant milestone in electric aviation and the evolution of sustainable pilot training platforms.

  • The Samson battery system offers over 1,000 full-depth discharge cycles, advanced safety features, and high energy density, tailored for aviation integration.

  • The eFlyer 2 is part of Bye Aerospace’s effort to reduce training costs and emissions while enhancing operational efficiency for flight schools.

  • This order follows magniX’s July 2025 partnership with Robinson Helicopter Company to develop an electric version of the R66.

Statements

  • “The selection of magniX as the new battery provider for the eFlyer 2 aircraft prototype demonstrates the trust that leading companies such as Bye Aerospace are placing in Samson as the safest, most advanced battery system for electric aviation. We look forward to the first flight and to building a deep partnership with Bye Aerospace, which is doing tremendous work in demonstrating the technological and commercial potential of electric aircraft.” – Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX

  • “As we approach the first flight of our full-scale eFlyer 2 prototype, Bye Aerospace is proud to lead the next generation of pilot training with disruptive, all-electric aircraft technology. This milestone marks a critical step in our mission to deliver dramatically lower operating costs, enhanced reliability, and sustainable performance for flight schools. Our collaboration with magniX during the eFlyer 2 prototype phase brings together our innovative airframe with magniX’s proven electric power systems, laying the foundation for a cleaner, more efficient future in aviation training.” – Rod Zastrow, CEO of Bye Aerospace

Source: magniX
Photo Credit: magniX

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South African Flight Training Group Excellentia Airline Academy Expands 2025 Training Fleet with Brand New Sling Aircraft

South Africa – Flight training group Excellentia Airline Academy (EAA) has announced the addition of three brand new Sling NGT aircraft to its training fleet.

In October EAA had announced the acquistion of both Aeronav Academy as well as Skyhawk Aviation, combining 2 long established flight training schools under the EAA umbrella, forming the fastest growing flight school in South Africa. The schools are based in both Lanseria and Grand Central (where EAA Head Office is located), giving excellent flexibility for flight training slots.

EAA combines the existing fleets of each school (primarily Cessna C-172’s, Pipers and Diamond aircraft currently), and then regularly adding new additional Sling 2 NGT aircraft every month, taking the aircraft training fleet from almost 30 currently to over 100 aircraft within the next 18 months, and 200 within 3 years. The Sling 2 NGT has a modern 100hp Rotax engine, spacious wide-view cockpit and a full suite of modern Garmin avionics. EAA’s trainers are ably supported by state-of-the-art flight simulators, allowing its students to obtain their CPL, and then be qualified to fly commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320/321 families.

Source: Excellentia Airline Academy
Photo Credit: Excellentia Airline Academy

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HAVELSAN to Showcases Flight Simulator Offering at European Airline Training Symposium 2025

Europe – HAVELSAN, one of Türkiye’s leading technology companies developing high technology solutions in the field of simulation and training, will participate in the European Airline Training Symposium (EATS 2025) to be held from 4–6 November 2025 in Cascais (Lisbon), Portugal.

EATS brings together airline operators, training centers, regulatory authorities, and technology providers on a single platform each year. At this year’s event, HAVELSAN takes the stage with its next generation Full Flight Simulators (FFS), setting new standards of realism in pilot training. The company not only develops advanced simulation technologies but also stands out as a globally competitive provider of innovative training solutions in the civil aviation domain.

Realistic Experience and Superior Performance

At EATS 2025, HAVELSAN will showcase its EASA Level D-certified Full Flight Simulators, designed to replicate the operational environment of Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320 aircraft. These systems feature an engineering infrastructure that fully complies with international aviation standards.

Developed to prepare pilots for real world operational conditions within next-generation training environments, HAVELSAN delivers high fidelity, end to end training experiences that meet global benchmarks. The simulators integrate rehosted Flight Management Systems (FMS), fully functional autopilot, and a real time monitoring architecture, precisely mirroring aircraft dynamics with millimetric accuracy.

HAVELSAN’s high-definition visual systems create authentic flight conditions that encompass a broad spectrum from weather variations to terrain detail allowing pilots to safely strengthen their situational awareness, reflexes, and decision making skills within a fully controlled environment.

An Integrated Training Approach and a Comprehensive Product Family

HAVELSAN provides not only Full Flight Simulators but also a comprehensive family of civil aviation training solutions. This portfolio includes Flight Simulators, Flight Training Devices (FTD), Flight Mission Training Systems, Ab-Initio Flight Training, and Simulation Support Software, offering customized solutions for flight schools and airline operators.

This extensive product range demonstrates HAVELSAN’s capability to deliver end-to-end solutions for different air platforms and highlights its international competitiveness. The company’s holistic approach to training technologies guided by its vision of “real-world accuracy and future readiness” combines deep engineering expertise with customer-focused design, positioning HAVELSAN’s products among the world’s most advanced simulation systems.

Scenario-Based Training for Operational Excellence

HAVELSAN’s Full Flight Simulators support a scenario-based training approach, enabling instructors to tailor sessions covering normal, abnormal, and emergency scenarios. Through this capability, pilots experience and manage critical situations such as engine failure, turbulent weather, and unexpected technical malfunctions, improving their decision making skills under pressure.

Thanks to its proven track record and international recognition, HAVELSAN continues to distinguish itself in global aviation training excellence, ensuring that each pilot benefits from world-class realism and operational performance.

Visit HAVELSAN Booth #100 at EATS 2025

All EATS 2025 participants are invited to visit HAVELSAN Booth #100 to experience the company’s world class civil aviation training technologies firsthand. HAVELSAN once again aims to elevate safety, precision, and readiness in aviation training, demonstrating the strength of Turkish engineering on a global stage.

Source: HAVELSAN

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FSANA Opens Registration for 2026 Flight School Operators Conference in San Diego

California, USA – The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) has officially opened registration for its 17th Annual Flight School Operators Conference & Trade Show, which will take place at the Loews Coronado Bay Hotel in San Diego from February 25–27, 2026.

  • The 2026 edition will feature nearly 20 professional sessions across four educational tracks:
    • Safety
    • Vendor Showcase
    • Business of Flight Training
    • CFI/Student Focus
  • FSANA has expanded the conference program with seven new sessions compared to 2025, offering attendees deeper insight into key operational, safety, and business themes shaping the flight training landscape.
  • The event will bring together flight school operators, suppliers, regulators, and training professionals for three days of networking, workshops, and industry collaboration.
  • Core conference objectives include helping training organisations to:
    • Increase profitability through best-practice management
    • Identify new business and growth opportunities
    • Adapt to evolving technology and training standards
    • Improve efficiency in operations and cost control

Source: FSANA

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Symbiotics – Leading Aspiring Pilot and Pilot Assessment Solutions

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Hannah Davies, Director of Strategy and Growth at Symbiotics – a leading assessment solution provider for the pilot training ecosystem and airlines.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Overview: Symbiotics are global leaders with over 30 years’ experience specialising in psychometric assessments for aviation professionals through their ADAPT online platform, delivering over 150,000 tests annually across 80 countries. Their solutions support airlines, training schools, militaries, and other aviation operators worldwide, to support the recruitment, selection and development of aviation professionals aligned with ICAO competencies and regulatory requirements.
  • Expansion into Cabin Crew Assessments: Symbiotics recently expanded its expertise to include cabin crew assessments. Developed with industry input and aligned with ICAO competencies and CBTA principles, the new suite evaluates personality, cognitive reasoning, and crew resource management skills. The company also partnered with Sky People Training to add a foundation knowledge test, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation for both new and experienced crew.
  • Global Presence and Innovation: Active at key training and aviation events worldwide, Symbiotics values direct engagement with clients to gather feedback and share insights. The company continues to innovate, with the upcoming launch of a mobile-optimised testing interface aimed at enhancing accessibility and user experience during global recruitment campaigns.
  • Industry Trends and Challenges: Hannah highlighted that while pilot recruitment has slowed due to supply chain issues, demand is expected to rise again soon. She noted a stronger focus on selecting the right candidates early to reduce training costs and improve success rates. A key challenge remains aligning and analysing large datasets to link psychometric outcomes with training performance under CBTA and EBT frameworks.
  • The Future of Pilot Training and Symbiotics’ Role: Looking ahead, Hannah envisions a more data-driven and inclusive pilot training industry, with competency-based and personalised learning paths. She also sees growing use of AI and technology – where proven effective – to enhance training quality and safety. Symbiotics aims to stay at the forefront by combining innovation, data analysis, and close collaboration with clients.

For more information:

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

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Swiss Flight School Takes Delivery of 2 Bristell B23‑912iS Aircraft in October 2025

Switzerland – Kreutzer.aero, a Swiss flight training and aircraft operations company, has taken delivery of two new Bristell B23 912iS aircraft, marking a significant fleet enhancement for its training and charter operations. The aircraft will also be used in SPHAIR, Switzerland’s official selection program for aspiring military and civil pilots, operated in coordination with the Swiss Air Force.

  • The delivery was facilitated by Manuel Ruchti, Bristell’s authorized dealer in Switzerland, ensuring a smooth and efficient handover process.
  • The Bristell B23 912iS aircraft are equipped with Rotax 912iS fuel-injected engines and Garmin G3X glass cockpit avionics, offering a modern, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective platform ideal for both ab-initio and advanced pilot training.
  • The aircraft are certified for EASA CS-23 operations, supporting full training flexibility from Private Pilot Licence (PPL) to Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) levels.
  • For SPHAIR, the national pilot aptitude and screening program, these aircraft will serve as a core training platform for candidates preparing for Swiss Air Force and airline pilot pathways.

Source: Martin Berka (Bristell Aircraft)
Photo Credit: Martin Berka (Bristell Aircraft)

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