Archives: Market Intelligences

New Zealand Flight School IAANZ Welcomes Large 2024 Batch of Aspiring Pilots

The International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ), an Air New Zealand Preferred Flight Training Organisation, welcomes its latest batch of aspiring pilots. Eager to achieve airline standards, these aspiring pilots have chosen IAANZ for its reputation as a top-notch pathway to the aviation industry.

In 2023 International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ) celebrated 30 years of pilot training. From small beginnings at Christchurch International Airport in 1993 to today being the ‘Best Path to the Aviation Industry’, the IAANZ celebrates 30 years of ‘Fulfilling the Dream of Flight’ for aviators from all over the world – check out the video here.

Source: International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ)
Photo Credit: international Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ)

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US Regional Airline Association “Corrects Misinformation About Pilot Supply”

United States – The Regional Airline Association (RAA), which represents 16 U.S. airlines that collectively offer the only source of air service to more than two-thirds of the nation’s airports, issued a statement in response to misinformation from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) earlier this week. In its statement, ALPA accused “corporate special interests” of “misleading data to manufacture a crisis,” and claimed that “2023 pilot production exceeded airline demand.”

These accusations are demonstrably false.

  • Verifiable data on FAA pilot certifications (11,225 pilots) and major airline hiring (12,193) shows a shortfall of 968 pilots in 2023.
  • This follows an even more severe shortfall in 2022, where major airlines hired 13,128 pilots, while only 9,491 new pilots qualified.
  • With a shortage of at least 4,605 pilots, 400 aircraft were parked and 317 U.S. airports lost an average of 25% of their flights, more than forty airports lost more than half of their flights, and 12 airports lost all air service.

It is unacceptable that a well-resourced, large union with enormous political giving, representing some of the country’s highest earning professionals, would call smaller airlines and the communities they serve “special interests,” even as the union leverages safety regulations to narrow training access at the front end of the career and unscientific retirement caps that push pilots out on their 65th birthday. The common thread of these antithetical objectives is controlling the pilot supply to preserve their perceived wage bargaining advantage. Make no mistake: skilled pilots deserve to be—and are—well compensated. But it is wrong—and should be unacceptable to policymakers with safety oversight to tolerate—when a labor union uses safety regulations to promote industrial goals.

While ALPA plays flat Earth games with Congress and the public, real people and real communities have been hurt by the pilot shortage and its growing air service harms. Displaced passengers must drive for hours to reach the next nearest airport, on highways where more than 40,000 people lose their lives each year. Given the traffic fatality rate is 1.5 times higher in rural communities than in urban areas, this is a painful reminder of the ways transportation policy fails rural Americans.  Doing the right thing should not be partisan, and pilot unions should not be afforded a veto over policies that impact real Americans. RAA urges policymakers to ignore false and defamatory comments and to do the right thing by eliminating ageist policies that push experienced pilots from the flight deck, while improving training access equity so more pilots can gain the training and experience needed to safely reconnect our American communities. To access more information on air service loss and sourcing for the facts in this statement, click here.

Source: RAA Press Release
Photo Credit: RAA Press Release

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Norwegian Pilot Training Organisation Purchases a Custom-Built Simnest A320 Flight Simulator

Redflight Aviation AS, which operates a pilot training base in Norway and has a strong commitment to sustainability, has recently acquired a Simnest A320 FNPT II APS MCC simulator. Redflight had no doubts about the supplier as they had extensive personal experience with the Simnest FNPT II MCC simulator. In addition to this high-fidelity device, Redflight will benefit from Simnest Aviation’s expertise, as they have also purchased two essential documentation from Simnest, including a training manual to help with the successful operation of their ATO.

Redflight Aviation’s Mathias Slåttøy, the former student of Simnest Aviation’s pilot training organization, Simnest Pilot Academy, had a first-hand and in-depth experience with Simnest Aviation’s flagship product, the Simnest A320 FNPT II APS MCC simulator. “Mathias was highly satisfied with the Simnest simulators he trained on as a cadet. We received a lot of positive feedback from him about the device, which led us to contact Simnest Aviation first when making our purchase. The initial discussions were very positive, the site constraints were quickly addressed, and the excellent price/performance ratio confirmed our initial impressions. As a result, we signed the contract with Simnest Aviation without hesitation,” said Oddbjørn Steinar Brungot, the responsible manager at Redflight Aviation, about the background to the decision.

The signing of this contract is a significant milestone for Simnest Aviation as it marks the company’s entrance into another country. “We have a special connection to Scandinavia, as we installed our very first Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC simulator in Denmark, which is a part of this region. So, in addition to Redflight Aviation being our first customer in Norway, this tie also adds to the significance of our agreement,” added Miklós Kacsó, CEO of Simnest Aviation.

Since their first simulator in Denmark, which has been successfully in operation ever since Simnest Aviation has manufactured and installed many devices around the world. For Redflight, the only challenge was the limited space available for the simulator. However, Simnest’s customizable solutions allowed their engineers to find a solution with ease. To meet the authorities’ requirements while not compromising the visual parameters, the size of the instructor’s box was reduced to fit the device in the room.

As a simulator manufacturer who also operates an Approved Training Organization, Simnest Aviation has extensive knowledge and expertise to assist professionals in becoming an FSTD operator or an ATO. Redflight also decided to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to Simnest’s high-fidelity simulator that provides an airline environment for their cadets, Redflight also purchased Simnest’s FSTD Operator Document Package and APS MCC Training Manual.

Redflight Aviation’s first FSTD has already been installed at Torp Airport in Sandefjord, Norway, and has successfully passed the on-site acceptance as well.

About Redflight Aviation

Redflight Aviation was started in 2017 under a different name with intention of being an aircraft rental company. As demand grew it soon shifted its idea into becoming a “one stop shop” for flight training services, being able to care for all kinds of pilot training. Today the company keeps moving forward under the same idea, to provide any kind of training from basic flying and taildraggers all the way up to APS MCC, and hope to be delivering these service from spring 2024. The company has 5 aircraft stretching from the all-electric Pipistel Velis, up to the Piper M350 and Piper Seneca. And now also the Simnest A320 FNTP II MCC Simulator.

About Simnest Aviation

Simnest Aviation is a major player in the market for fixed base FSTD manufacturers. They have 20 A320- based simulators operating across 8 European countries, and their FMGS software is also used in North America and Asia. Their flagship product, the Simnest A320 FNPT II APS MCC simulator is designed to be type representative of the real Airbus A320, which provides a real airliner environment for the cadets. All this, hand in hand with the APS MCC training facility, means a straight path for students from aviation training organizations to commercial airlines. The in-house developed operating software of Simnest makes the work of head of trainings and instructors much easier, as it makes the simulator as easy to operate as a smartphone, without the need for technical staff.

Source: Simnest Aviation
Photo Credit: Simnest Aviation

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Pilot Assessment Solution Provider Symbiotics Discuss Pilot Aptitude Testing for the Advanced Air Mobility Sector

With an expanding and developing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector, the ability to attract and retain relevant expertise will be vital. As eVTOL operations commence, it is important to ensure sufficient consideration is being given to not only the pilot, but all human elements within the process. As part of this, Symbiotics have recently released their thoughts in the form of a free eBook on people selection and the evolving role of the pilot in the AAM landscape.

Predictions for the number of eVTOL pilots required suggest as many as 60,000 more by 2028, and this is expected to drive a need to widen the pool for talent. Whilst the initial requirements will be filled by qualified and experienced pilots, as the industry advances with eVTOL pilot qualifications, power-lifted aircraft type ratings, and new training pathways developed, understanding the competencies required and existing capabilities across expected applicant pools along with personality differences will be vital.

With AAM, we will see an operating environment not yet seen before in terms of the aircraft variety, the need for additional airspace infrastructure, and the demands on the pilot. Just as with current Pilot Aptitude Testing, the selection of eVTOL pilots needs to be effective and consistent when focussing on the necessary aptitude and personality traits required to ensure competency standards are met.

Symbiotics Managing Director, Hannah Davies, says: “We adopt a collaborative approach in all that we do and this is a further opportunity for us to partner with the industry and AAM operators to ensure that we have an industry solution that is fit for purpose to support the most appropriate selection of AAM pilots. These are exciting times and we strive to ensure that people considerations are included in the discussions and agenda as the industry advances.”

Symbiotics Psychology Consultant, Caroline Creane, added: “As we head into a new era of aviation with the commencement of eVTOL operations, there is understandably lots of discussions around the development of equipment, systems, and operational infrastructure – we want to ensure that the human within the system is given equal attention. When selecting personnel, the assessment process must be specific to the requirements of the role, and we cannot assume that knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviours required to demonstrate the core pilot competencies will be the same, when the context in which they are deployed comes with its own unique challenges. We are heading into unchartered territory and while these developments are exciting for the industry, identifying the right people for the job is paramount to the success of the expanding AAM sector.”

Symbiotics free eBook on Pilot Aptitude Testing for the Advanced Mobility sector covers the following topics:

  • Discover what the evolving role of the pilot in the AAM landscape looks like
  • Find out what impact Advanced air Mobility will have on psychological requirements
  • Understand how Symbiotics can support AAM operators with their people selection

To download your free copy of the eBook today, click here.

Symbiotics are working to support the assessment needs for the emerging AAM marketing with their industry partners. They want to support those who are looking at the pilot/operator training requirements within Advanced Air Mobility, who Symbiotics can work with to further develop the assessment requirements and appropriate test batteries. If you’re interested in journeying with them to support best in class assessment for your future AAM operations, please get in touch here.

About Symbiotics Ltd

Symbiotics are expert providers of pre-screening and assessments for Pilots, Cabin Crew, Maintenance Engineer, Dispatchers and Airline Management. Symbiotics provides assessment & selection, training, and consultancy services in over 130 locations spread through 80 countries across five continents. We support the aviation industry including airlines, Flight Schools, OEMs, Business Jet operators and other aviation businesses.

Symbiotics fully believe that accurate assessment is the cornerstone of people success. We look to form long-lasting relationships with our clients and other industry stakeholders for the benefit of the sector. We use our skills and experience as a specialist aviation assessment provider to work continuously to improve assessments to ensure fair, relevant, and quality testing of candidates.

Source: Symbiotics
Photo Credit: Symbiotics

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US Regional Airline, Silver Airways, and Epic Flight Academy Announce Partnership

On Friday, February 9, 2024, United States based flight training group Epic Flight Academy and Silver Airways jointly announced their partnership, an exclusive pilot pathway to Silver Airways. Accepted candidates participate in this career development program that includes mentoring and career guidance, professional pilot development, and internship and engagement opportunities.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Epic Flight Academy and look forward to speaking with the students and instructors about Sterling, our new pilot pathway program,” said Kerri Beuker, Director of Talent & Engagement at Silver Airways.

Epic founder and CEO Danny Perna added, “The Sterling program provides excellent career options for our students. We are happy to establish this partnership and offer this excellent pilot pathway.”

Silver Airways is a regional airline based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Founded in 2011, Silver operates flights throughout Florida, the Southeast, and The Bahamas.

Epic Flight Academy is headquartered in New Smyrna Beach, Florida with locations across the U.S. The company was founded in 1999 and provides FAA-approved flight training and aircraft mechanic training.

Source: Epic Flight Academy
Photo Credit: Epic Flight Academy

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