Archives: Market Intelligences

CAE Seeks Head of Flight Training for Emirates–CAE Flight Training Centre in Dubai

United Arab Emirates – CAE, the global leader in aviation training, has announced an opening for a Head of Flight Training at its Emirates–CAE Flight Training (ECFT) joint venture in Dubai. The role represents one of the most senior and influential training leadership positions in the Middle East, overseeing operations at one of the world’s largest and most advanced flight training centers.

  • The position will lead a team of approximately 170 professionals, including 120 full-time instructors and staff and 50 freelance trainers, supported by nine direct managerial reports.

  • ECFT’s Dubai facility houses 21 full-flight simulators covering a diverse range of platforms including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Hawker, King Air, Challenger, and Falcon aircraft.

  • The Head of Flight Training will drive strategic initiatives focused on innovation, regulatory compliance, instructor development, and operational excellence.

  • Responsibilities include maintaining compliance with UAE GCAA CAR-FCL, EASA, FAA, and CFR Part 142 standards while fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement across all training programs.

  • The role requires proven experience as a Flight Instructor or Examiner, a strong management background, and expertise in ATO training oversight with recent or current professional pilot licensing per ICAO Annex 1.

  • The successful candidate will work closely with CAE’s global network of training centers, aligning ECFT’s programs with CAE’s worldwide standards of quality and innovation.

For more information or to apply – head to the CAE job post here.

Source: CAE

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Global Flight Training Group, Airways Aviation, Highlights 2026 Hour Building Offer in Portugal

Portugal – Airways Aviation, one of the largest aviation and pilot training group’s in the world operating pilot training academies across Europe, the Middle East, Asia/Australia, India and Africa, has highlighted that Airways Aviation Portugal has announced new hour-building opportunities on its Diamond DA40 aircraft at Cascais (LPCS) and Ponte de Sor (LPSO), accompanied by a limited-time launch offer for bookings made before November 15, 2025. The initiative provides affordable flight time options for student and licensed pilots looking to progress toward commercial qualifications under EASA regulations.

  • Standard hourly rates (Rates include fuel and one landing fee; additional landings charged at aerodrome rates):

    • Cascais – €240/hour

    • Ponte de Sor – €230/hour

  • Introductory requirement: A one-hour adaptation flight with an instructor is required for first-time DA40 pilots (€80).

  • Discounted package options:

    • 10h–19h → €220/h (LPCS) | €210/h (LPSO)

    • 20h–49h → €200/h (LPCS) | €190/h (LPSO)

    • 50h+ → €180/h (LPCS) | €170/h (LPSO)

  • Special launch offer: €190/h (LPCS) and €180/h (LPSO) for 10-hour packages purchased before November 15, 2025.

  • Purchased flight hours must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.

For more information contact Airways Aviation.

Source: Airways Aviation

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Cathay Flight Training Centre Welcomes New CAE Airbus A320neo Full Flight Simulator

Hong Kong – Cathay has further reinforced its commitment to safety and operational excellence with the delivery and installation of a state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo full-flight simulator at the Cathay Flight Training Centre.

This latest flight simulator is manufactured by CAE, a global leader in training and critical operations solutions for aviation. The new simulator further supports Cathay’s efforts to meet the growing demand for world-class pilot training as it embarks on a comprehensive fleet renewal and expansion plan.

The Cathay Group is investing well over HK$100 billion in its fleet, cabin and lounge products, and digital innovation to strengthen the Hong Kong international aviation hub and elevate the customer experience. This includes orders for more than 100 state-of-the-art narrowbody, regional widebody, long-haul widebody and large freighter aircraft joining the Group’s modern fleet in the coming years, with more than 30 of these being A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

Cathay held a special ceremony in Cathay House to welcome the new simulator from CAE. Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan and Cathay Director Flight Operations Captain Chris Kempis welcomed a delegation from CAE, led by Michel Azar-Hmouda, Division President, Commercial Aviation CAE, as well as special guest Captain Lawrence Wong, Chief, Flight Standard of the Civil Aviation Department for the ceremony.

Cathay’s Alex McGowan said: “Cathay and CAE have built a longstanding partnership focused on delivering high-quality training for pilots and crew, with a shared commitment to safety and operational excellence. Over the years, we have integrated a wide range of CAE training devices at our Flight Training Centre in Hong Kong. This partnership has helped Cathay to establish a state-of-the-art training environment, supporting the development of world-class aviation professionals.

“The recent addition of the A320 Neo CAE 7000XR Simulator marks another milestone in this collaboration, further strengthening Cathay’s training capabilities, advancing our training technologies, as well as nurturing future aviation talent.”

CAE’s Division President, Commercial Aviation CAE: Michel Azar-Hmouda said: “This A320 full-flight simulator marks a meaningful milestone in our collaboration with Cathay. Featuring CAE’s advanced Prodigy visual system, the device enhances training realism and supports Cathay’s commitment to operational excellence. As Cathay continues to invest in quality and commonality across its training infrastructure, CAE is proud to be a trusted partner on their journey.”

The Cathay Group’s total fleet numbers more than 230 passengers and freighter aircraft. The Group’s premium full-service airline Cathay Pacific currently operates 16 A321neo aircraft, while its low-cost carrier HK Express operates an all-Airbus fleet of more than 40 A320, A321, A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

Source: CAE

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Portuguese Flight School OMNI Aviation Training Center Partners with Training Provider to Launch Country’s First Advanced UPRT Program

Portugal — OMNI Aviation Training Center (OATC) has partnered with Unlimited Aerobatics (UA) to launch Portugal’s first Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (A-UPRT) program. This collaboration integrates A-UPRT into all future OATC pilot training courses, while existing students will be given the option to upgrade.

  • The new A-UPRT initiative aims to elevate pilot preparedness and resilience by providing hands-on experience with dynamic stalls and full upset recovery scenarios.
  • Practical training will be conducted using the high-performance Extra 300 aircraft, offering real-world upset exposure with G-load capabilities up to +8/-8G — significantly beyond standard training aircraft.
  • A-UPRT exceeds regulatory requirements, addressing Loss of Control in Flight (LOC-I), which remains the leading cause of airline fatalities globally.
  • The program is jointly coordinated by Jorge Loureiro (UA Portugal) and Cástor Fantoba, world champion aerobatic pilot and Director of UA Training.

Statements

  • “It’s a pleasure to have OMNI as a partner to train Portuguese pilots. UA Training seeks excellence, and it is an honour to work together with one of Portugal’s most important aviation groups.” — Jorge Loureiro, UA Training
  • “OATC is setting a new standard in pilot training. By partnering with Unlimited Aerobatics, we are delivering the most advanced and effective A-UPRT program in Portugal.” — Ricardo Cortez, OMNI Aviation Training Center
  • “We will together work to provide the best training for pilots in Portugal to give them a competitive advantage in the global aviation workplace.” — Cástor Fantoba, Unlimited Aerobatics

About OMNI Aviation Training Center (OATC)
Established in 1998 and part of the OMNI Group, OATC is Portugal’s leading flight training academy. It operates the country’s only flight school with a connected airline, recently launched a fleet renewal program, and delivers EASA-compliant training from ab initio to commercial levels.

About Unlimited Aerobatics
Founded by world champion pilot Cástor Fantoba, Unlimited Aerobatics is a premier aerobatic and UPRT training provider. Operating in Spain and Portugal, UA delivers tailored upset training using high-performance aircraft and elite instructors from both competitive and airline aviation.

Source: OATC
Photo Credit: OATC

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Portuguese Flight School Omni Aviation Training Center Appoints Dylan van Haasen as Head of Training

Portugal – OMNI Aviation Training Center (OATC) has appointed Dylan van Haasen as Head of Training. As Head of Training, van Haasen will be overseeing all EASA‑approved pilot and cabin‑crew programmes and ensuring full compliance with ANAC. He will also lead curriculum design, instructor development, digital training systems, and strategic growth across the bases of OATC. Learn more about OATC or Mr. van Haasen by connecting with him through his LinkedIn profile here.

Source: Dylan van Haasen  (OATC)
Photo Credit: OATC (shown as meta image)

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Acron Aviation’s Skyparts and Setna iO Announce Strategic Channel Partnership to Expand Global OEM and USM Parts Distribution

Global — Skyparts, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Trade Desk of Acron Aviation, announced a strategic channel partner agreement with Setna iO, a global leader in the distribution of used serviceable material (USM) and OEM aircraft parts.

This partnership significantly enhances Skyparts’ global reach and inventory capabilities, supporting its mission to deliver critical OEM-quality solutions with aftermarket agility to the aviation sector, blending OEM integrity with the responsiveness of the USM market.

All products purchased through this partnership come with an OEM-issued airworthiness tag and are backed by OEM warranties. This ensures full traceability and regulatory compliance, critical for customers, and provides confidence in the integrity and quality of the products.

With a focus on current-generation platforms from Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Bombardier, and ATR, Setna iO supplies both used components through a global network of strategically located warehouses and experienced regional sales teams. This infrastructure enables responsive service and timely delivery of critical parts to operators, MROs, and lessors worldwide.

John Duff, Skyparts Operating Director, said: “This channel partnership with Setna iO creates a smarter, more responsive supply chain that puts the customer first. In an industry where time, cost, and quality are critical, we are delivering a powerful solution for customers seeking dependable serviceable material with OEM assurance.”

Setna iO’s industry-leading expertise in the acquisition and teardown of commercial airframes is another key asset in this collaboration, enabling a steady flow of high-quality USM to be integrated into the Skyparts inventory catalog.

James Roche, Senta iO SVP North America Trading said: “Setna iO is excited to announce our partnership with Skyparts and Acron Aviation, further enhancing our ability to provide high-quality tagged material to the aviation aftermarket. This agreement aligns with Setna iO’s strategic vision to expand our network of partners to better serve our customers globally.”

This agreement marks a major step in the continued growth of Acron Aviation’s Skyparts global partner network, following the successful integration of DASI in 2024. With both Setna iO and DASI on board, Skyparts has expanded geographic coverage, broader inventory access, and more flexible sourcing options for its growing customer base.

About Skyparts
Skyparts is the OEM Trade Desk of Acron Aviation, providing direct access to OEM aircraft parts and components through a network of trusted channel partners. Focused on supporting airlines, MROs, and lessors with reliable, traceable, and warrantied solutions, Skyparts combines the integrity of OEM sourcing with aftermarket agility to deliver value across the aviation industry.

Source: Acron Aviation
Photo Credit: Acron Aviation

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PHI Air Medical Becomes First Air Ambulance Operator in the Americas to Train Pilots with VR Flight Simulation—Using Loft Dynamics’ Simulator

USA — PHI Air Medical, one of the largest air ambulance providers in the United States has become the first air medical operator in the Americas to implement full-motion virtual reality (VR) flight simulation for pilot training. The company has installed a full-motion VR simulator from Loft Dynamics—the first VR system qualified by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)—at its training base in Mesa, Arizona. PHI is now launching an entirely new training program centered around VR and its Airbus H125 simulator, giving pilots round-the-clock access to immersive, mission-specific training that mirrors the urgency and complexity of real-world operations.

PHI transports more than 22,500 patients each year across 82 bases nationwide, operating more than 100 helicopters and logging more than 12.5 million flight hours. With Loft Dynamics’ VR simulator now onsite, PHI has reimagined how its pilots train—enabling continuous, scenario-based practice tailored to the realities of emergency air operations.

“We fly into the unknown every day—remote crash sites, busy city centers, adverse weather, unfamiliar terrain—and we do it in service of patients who don’t have time to wait,” said Duke Baker, director of aviation operations at PHI Air Medical. “With this technology, we can safely give our pilots any mission at any time, right at our home base, and rehearse until the maneuvers become instinctive—engrained in muscle memory and reflex. And it’s not just a win for us—it’s a signal to the entire industry of what’s now possible. This technology is powerful.”

PHI instructors are building a dynamic curriculum using Loft Dynamics’ full-motion platform, complete with a 360-degree 3D cockpit, force feedback and six-degrees-of-freedom motion. Crews can now routinely train for zero-visibility landings, high-altitude rescues, nighttime operations with night vision goggles (NVGs), variable patient loads, and more.

“This is exactly where VR was meant to go,” said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. “Into the hands of people flying complex, time-critical missions. PHI’s adoption of this technology shows what’s possible when training is no longer limited by geography, cost or availability. Together we’re proving that the most realistic, high-stakes scenarios can be trained for—anytime, from anywhere. This isn’t just a milestone for PHI or air medical operators—it’s a turning point for how the entire industry prepares its pilots.”

PHI is working closely with its local FAA office to integrate the Loft Dynamics simulator into its approved training program under Part 135—further demonstrating how VR can meet the rigorous standards of commercial air medical operations. These efforts are expected to set the tone for broader use of VR across the sector.

While PHI is the first to install VR simulation in an air medical training program, others are preparing to follow. Boston MedFlight signed a letter of intent earlier this year to install a Loft Dynamics H145 simulator, signaling growing momentum across the industry.

About Loft Dynamics
Loft Dynamics AG is the global leader in virtual reality (VR) flight training, and the first company with VR simulators qualified by both the FAA and EASA. Trusted by Alaska Airlines, Airbus Helicopters, the Los Angeles Police Department, and more, we serve the full aviation ecosystem—spanning commercial airlines, eVTOLs, and diverse helicopter operators, as well as schools, OEMs, governments, and regulators. Our mission is to make pilot training safer and more accessible, affordable and scalable than ever before. We produce full-motion VR simulators for helicopters, airlines, and eVTOLs that are ten times smaller and significantly more cost-effective than legacy simulators. We also provide a connected suite of solutions that integrate our simulators worldwide, including at-home training kits, virtual instruction from the world’s top pilots and AI-driven training intelligence. Loft Dynamics is leading a global paradigm shift in pilot training and powering the next generation of highly skilled pilots.

About PHI
PHI Air Medical is a leading air medical transport provider, operating over 80 air medical bases in the nation. These bases provide outreach education to local communities and healthcare systems across the nation. Safely transporting more than 22,500 patients each year, each PHI Air Medical base maintains a crew of highly trained pilots, flight nurses, and paramedics – prepared to respond to emergency medical transport requests.

Source: Loft Dynamics

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