India & New Zealand – HM Aviation, a Delhi‑based commercial pilot training ground school and facilitator, has deployed another 12 aspiring pilots to its flight training partner Air Hawke’s Bay (AHB). This follows a visit by HM Aviation’s leadership to the flight school back in October.
Through its partner flight‑school relationships, HM Aviation delivers a DGCA‑compliant ground theory programme in India and overseas flying training in jurisdictions including New Zealand.
Source: HM Aviation
New Zealand – Nelson Aviation College (NAC), a long-established CAANZ-approved flight training organisation, has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a 1:5 student-to-instructor ratio during all flight-training phases—an approach designed to safeguard training quality, learning efficiency, and operational safety.
1978 established New Zealand flight training organisation Nelson Aviation College, offers a wide range of courses including Private Pilot License, Commercial Pilot License, Basic Gas Turbine, and Instrument Rating, and back in October 2023 Nelson Aviation College shared that it had partnered with flight simulator manufacturer True Course Simulations (TCS) and took delivery of the flight school’s first TCS Immersive Training Device (ITD).
Source: Nelson Aviation College
Photo Credit: Nelson Aviation College
Australia – headquartered global operator of pilot simulator training centres Ansett Aviation Training (AAT) has recognised a significant milestone, honoring the retirement of Anthony “Tony” Frassetto, who concludes an extraordinary 51-year career with Ansett.
Tony’s journey began with Ansett Airlines on 20 January 1975, joining as a young apprentice. His capability, work ethic, and dedication quickly distinguished him, earning him a position within the airline’s specialised Avionics Workshop—an area reserved for its most skilled technicians. He undertook advanced training, including international programs, laying the groundwork for what would become a defining career.
In 1985, Tony transitioned into the flight simulator division, beginning a four-decade contribution to the development and reliability of pilot training for airlines across the region. Over this time, he became widely regarded as one of the most experienced and respected Simulator Technicians within the group.
Tony remained a constant through eras of technological change and industry transformation. He supported the introduction of new training systems, navigated periods of organisational evolution, and consistently upheld the highest standards of operational reliability. His calm, methodical approach to resolving complex issues and his deep technical insight earned the trust of colleagues, customers, and pilots alike.
A defining hallmark of Tony’s career has been his unwavering commitment to supporting others. He has mentored generations of technicians, advocated for continuous skills development, and contributed to a culture of learning that has shaped Ansett Aviation Training for decades.
Tony’s professionalism and dedication have also been evident during moments of uncertainty in the organisation’s history. Across every chapter, he remained steadfast in his support for customers, colleagues, and the reputation of the Ansett name. His loyalty and sense of duty have left a lasting imprint on the organisation and those who have worked alongside him.
This week, Tony retires not only as a highly accomplished technician, but as a custodian of the organisation’s history. His five-decade journey reflects the sense of purpose, belonging, and opportunity experienced by many who choose to build long and meaningful careers within the Ansett Aviation Training family.
Across Ansett’s engineering and technical teams, long tenure is a defining hallmark of the group with many many technicians serving more than 20 years, and several beyond 30 years. This depth of experience reflects an enduring commitment by Ansett in its people and the pride they take in supporting customers.
Statement
Ansett Aviation Training’s global pilot training center network operators over 30 full flight simulators across 6 different training centres. Its headquarters are located at Tullamarine International Airport in Melbourne, Australia with two additional training centres in Australia and three international ones in Milan, Italy, Taipei, Taiwan and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Source: Ansett Aviation Training
Fiji – Fiji Airways has appointed Paul Scurrah as its incoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2025, following a global executive search to succeed outgoing CEO Andre Viljoen. Paul Scurrah brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience across aviation, transport, logistics, and tourism, including serving as CEO of Virgin Australia and later as CEO of Australia’s largest private rail freight operator.
Over his decade of leadership, Mr. Viljoen oversaw a wide-ranging transformation that significantly elevated Fiji Airways’ operational scale, financial performance, and training capability, including:
Fleet and Revenue Growth: The airline’s fleet nearly doubled from 12 to 23 aircraft, including the addition of four Airbus A350s. Annual revenue increased from FJ$815.3 million in 2015 to FJ$1.9 billion in 2024.
Aviation Academy Launch: Mr. Viljoen led the creation of the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy, a modern training centre equipped with four full-flight simulators. The facility has raised pilot training standards, enabled more Fijians to progress to captain roles, and grown into a regional training hub serving operators including Air Tahiti, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.
Source: Fiji Airways
India – Mumbai, India based pilot training facilitator ThePilot.in, which in the last year supported over 300 aspiring and student pilots by providing them with ground school and deploying them to flight schools around the world, has promoted a new commercial pilot training package in New Zealand starting at INR 57 lakhs (approximately USD 68,500).
The offering includes a CPL + Diploma in Aviation pathway delivered over a 15-month training duration.
Eligible students may apply for a student work permit, in line with New Zealand’s aviation education framework.
About ThePilot.in
ThePilot.in specializes in pilot training programs, DGCA ground classes, and type rating courses in collaboration with esteemed Flight Training Organizations worldwide.
Source: ThePilot.In
Global – Airbus has revised its 2025 commercial aircraft delivery target due to a recent quality issue from a supplier affecting the fuselage panels of its A320 Family aircraft.
The updated 2025 delivery target is approximately 790 commercial aircraft, down from previous target of 820
In 2024 Airbus delivered 766 aircraft
Despite the delivery adjustment, Airbus reaffirmed its 2025 financial guidance:
EBIT Adjusted remains at around Euro 7.0 billion.
Free Cash Flow before Customer Financing remains targeted at approximately €4.5 billion.
The company plans to publish its November 2025 aircraft orders and deliveries on 5 December 2025.
Source: Airbus
Philippines & Australia – The PAL Aviation School, relaunched in early 2025 through a partnership with Australia-based Airways Aviation, has sent 14 pilot trainees from its AO Class 2025 Alpha to Australia for advanced flight training as part of the school’s new international training pathway.
The 14 cadets will complete advanced theoretical and practical flight training at Airways Aviation’s Gold Coast campus, following their initial ground training phases in the Philippines.
A send-off ceremony was held in September 2025 at the Lucio K. Tan, Jr. (LKTJ) Center, attended by Philippine Airlines (PAL) officials and family members.
The PAL Aviation School, established in the early 1960s, has produced more than a thousand pilots and continues to play a major role in supplying flight crew to the national carrier.
PAL is preparing for significant pilot demand growth as it expects to receive nine new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled in early 2026.
Source: PAL Aviation School
