Market Intelligence: Europe

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Four Forces

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series AFM’s Customer Success & Business Development Manager Agata Marszalek speaks with Brett Hart, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Four Forces – a flight school management software that streamlines operations & saves margins with integrated payments.

The conversation covers:

  • Customer-Centric Development: Four Forces emphasizes strong relationships with its customers, continuously gathering feedback through interviews and collaboration. The software is built to address real pain points flight schools face, resulting in features that improve operational efficiency and save time for flight schools.
  • Key Software Features: The software offers functionalities like scheduling, invoicing, training, maintenance management, and student retention tools, with an innovative feature called “Pulse.” Pulse aggregates key operational data, helping schools monitor their performance in real-time and enhance student engagement by preventing attrition.
  • Cost-Saving and Efficiency Benefits: A partnership with Gravity Payments allows schools to reduce credit card processing fees, often cutting operational costs. The software also reduces administrative workload through automation, allowing flight schools to focus on teaching.
  • Flight Training Industry Challenges: Brett highlighted the challenges flight schools face, including rising costs and a shrinking market of students. He stressed the importance of enhancing the student experience to maintain retention and competitiveness in an evolving industry.

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Latvian Airline Owned Pilot Training Organisation Celebrates Milestone with 100th Graduate

18 students graduated from the Pilot Academy of the Latvian national airline airBaltic, receiving a commercial pilot license upon completion of the full-time airline transport pilot program. This latest group of graduates marks a significant milestone for the academy, as it proudly celebrates its 100th graduate. Additionally, the 23rd group of 15 students has already begun their professional pilot studies.

Martin Gauss CEO and President of airBaltic: “We are proud to see and congratulate not only the 18th latest graduates of the Pilot Academy but also to celebrate our 100th graduate. This is a remarkable milestone in our journey to develop world-class aviation professionals the latest graduates of the Pilot Academy. Several of the new graduates will begin additional training this month, preparing to join the airBaltic team soon. Having well-trained personnel is a crucial element for the success of any airline.”

“Moreover, we extend our congratulations to the young and motivated students of the 23rd group, who embarked on their educational journey today. As airBaltic continues its development and works toward operating 100 aircraft by 2023, having such dedicated individuals will be key to achieving our future goals,” Gauss added.

The graduates represent countries such as Austria, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain, while the new group includes students from Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

There are 136 active students at the airBaltic Pilot Academy at the moment. Most of them are from the Baltic countries, however, there are students also from other EU countries such as Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Spain and Italy among others. Overall, more than 10% of airBaltic Pilot Academy students are female. As for now, 112 students, after graduating, have joined airBaltic.

Students of the airBaltic Pilot Academy have to cover the costs of ATPL theory studies and 45 flight hours, costing EUR 15,000. After passing airBaltic pilot assessment and becoming an employee of the company, the airline will provide financing (loan) for the rest of the studies.

Additionally, airBaltic is set to expand its training capabilities with the arrival of a second Airbus A220 full flight simulator later this year. Scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2024, the new simulator will significantly enhance the airline’s ability to train and maintain the qualifications of its growing number of pilots, supporting both the airline’s fleet expansion and the continued development of its Pilot Academy.

Source:  airBaltic
Photo Credit:  airBaltic

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UK College Welcomes New ALSIM AL250 Simulator at Air and Space Institute in 2024

France headquartered flight simulator manufacturer ALSIM is proud to share that the AL250 simulator, recently purchased by Lincoln College Group, is now installed in the brand-new Air and Space Institute at Newark. Unveiled in June, this new training facility prepares students for careers in the aviation industry. The facility houses an Airbus A318 aircraft and several state-of-the-art simulators, including the AL250 equipped with the Engineering Pack.

The AL250 simulator addresses initial phase of training needs (PPL, CPL, IR/ME) and is SEP/MEP re–configurable simulator certified as an EASA FNPT II. In addition, it offers both classic and glass cockpit for each flight model at the simple flick of a switch. This device has been extremely well received since its creation and more than 100 of these have already been installed and are in successful operation worldwide.

The ALSIM Engineering Pack empowers engineering students to be completely independent to design and test aircraft models on the ALSIM AL250 simulator. Integrated within MATLAB® and Simulink®, it offers nearly 4,000 editable variables for endless possibilities.

Christopher Hives, managing Director at Quiet Tiger for Lincoln College/ASI, explains: “When it comes to aviation training and, moreover, wider utility within the education sector, the ALSIM AL250 is without doubt the simulator of choice.  As well as its high-fidelity flight simulation for aspiring and qualified pilots, the AL250 can be enhanced with an ‘Engineering Pack’ (E-Pack) which allows students on engineering pathways to develop classroom theory and then test their designs ‘in the air’. At Quiet Tiger Aviation, we are absolutely delighted with the superb AL250 +E-Pack simulator procured by the Lincoln College Group’s Air & Space Institute (ASI) at Newark where there is no doubt that the full functionality of this very capable system will be put to full use.  Further, the support and guidance, afforded by ALSIM since project conception, has been first class – allowing a seamless process and ensuring an expeditious flow of information at all stages of the procurement, build and acceptance phases.”

Anna Lezoray, ALSIM Sales Account Manager, adds: “We are excited to count Lincoln College Group and their Air & Space Institute, between ALSIM customers. We are thrilled that the AL250 equipped with the Engineering Pack add-on is part of ASI’s vast catalogue of programs, allowing young people to enter the air and space industry with a real hands-on experience.”

About the Air and Space Institute at the Lincoln College Group
The Air and Space Institute (ASI), part of the Lincoln College Group, was established in 2022, offering various aviation Civil, Military, and Defence pathways at its interim facility, Newark College. ASI is a technology and industry-driven innovation hub that provides study programmes in Pilot Training, Engineering, Space, Software Engineering, and Travel & Tourism. Upon the completion of the new £15.4m state-of-the-art campus in the centre of historic Newark in 2024, both existing cohorts and new students starting in September 2024 will be based at the new facility.

ALSIM
ALSIM has been developing and manufacturing FAA & EASA certified FNPT II, FNPT II MCC and AATD flight simulators since 1994. Alsim is well recognized for its know-how, based on 30 years of experience. We’re proud to say our hardware & software is made 100% in house, which means peace of mind for our customers. Alsim’s main objective relies on innovation: we aim to anticipate our client’s needs and remain at the cutting edge of technology. Today, we have more than 450 devices installed and certified in over 60 countries, with over 400 clients.

Source: ALSIM
Photo Credit: ALSIM

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Two Large European Flight Training Providers Pilot Flight Academy and Professional Aviation Academy Announce Partnership for VFR Flight Training

Pilot Flight Academy and Professional Aviation Academy are thrilled to announce a new partnership starting in October 2024. Through this collaboration, Pilot Flight Academy students will have the opportunity to conduct their Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight training at Professional Aviation Academy’s state-of-the-art facilities in Italy.

This partnership offers students a unique opportunity to fly in diverse airspace and weather conditions, enhancing their training and better preparing them for international aviation careers. The Italian landscape, combined with Professional Aviation’s comprehensive training programs, provides the perfect environment for VFR training, adding significant value to the existing curriculum.

“We are excited to partner with Professional Aviation Academy and offer our students access to an excellent training facility in Bologna,” said Mikael Eriksson, CEO of Pilot Flight Academy. “Italy’s varied flight conditions will provide an invaluable training experience, helping our students develop the skills needed to navigate the complexities of flying in different regions across the globe.”

“We are proud to add this international partnership to our portfolio, further strengthening Professional Aviation’s global reach,” said Vito Preti, CEO of Professional Aviation Academy. “Our training offering includes both integrated and modular programs for fixed and rotary wings. We aim to be an international reference for training quality and timely delivery of pilots. This collaboration will also allow us to expand our fleet by adding 5 new aircraft, bringing our total to 26.”

The program is set to launch in October 2024, giving Pilot Flight Academy students the chance to complete a key part of their flight training in Italy while continuing to benefit from Pilot Flight Academy’s high-quality instruction and curriculum.

Alongside this new venture, Pilot Flight Academy will maintain its longstanding partnership with US Aviation Academy in Denton, Texas, which continues to play a crucial role in giving students a global aviation perspective.This global approach remains a key part of Pilot Flight Academy’s strategy to prepare students for the international job market.

At the same time, both Professional Aviation Academy and Pilot Flight Academy are actively expanding into new international markets, seeking strategic partnerships that will reinforce their positions as global leaders in pilot training.

This partnership represents a shared commitment to delivering world-class pilot training, underscoring both academies’ dedication to preparing future pilots for success in the global aviation industry.

Source: Pilot Flight Academy and Professional Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: Pilot Flight Academy and Professional Aviation Academy

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