Market Intelligence: Europe

UK-Headquartered Pilot Training Group Leading Edge Aviation Welcomes 10 New Students at the End of 2024

Oxford, United Kingdom – Leading Edge Aviation, which operates flight training bases in the United Kingdom and Spain, has welcomed LEAP-056, the latest group of ten (10) students embarking on their journey to becoming commercial pilots.

Earlier in the month the pilot training group announced an innovative partnership with TUI Airline to launch a groundbreaking tagging scheme designed to provide student pilots with a clear, structured pathway to employment through conditional job offers.

Source: Leading Edge Aviation
Photo Credit: Leading Edge Aviation

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Flight School Management Software Solutions Provider, Private-Radar, Reflects on Growth and Impact in 2024

Madrid, Spain – headquartered Private-Radar, a global provider of aviation training management solutions, marked its 10th anniversary in 2024, showcasing significant achievements in automation, safety, and efficiency within the pilot training industry. The company supports over 120 aviation training institutions globally, with key milestones highlighting its growth, innovation, and social impact.

  • 2024 Highlights:
    • Supported 70,000 users with its Flight School Management System.
    • Managed 820,000 bookings and recorded 510,000 flight hours.
    • Installed 700 Flight-Trackers in aircraft worldwide.
  • Solution Improvements:
    • Launched over 30 new features and updates, including an 80% redesign of the Schedule page for improved user experience and performance.
  • Company Expansion:
    • Partnered with 30+ new training institutions across 12 countries, with new markets in Kazakhstan, Romania, Ireland, and Cyprus.
    • Expanded its team to 18 staff members.
  • Event Participation:
    • Las Vegas FSANA (USA)
    • Berlin Pilot-Expo (Germany)
    • Friedrichshafen AERO (Germany)
    • Cascais EATS (Portugal)
    • Vancouver ATAC (Canada)
  • Social Responsibility:
    • Partnered with UK charity Wings for Warriors to provide its solutions free of charge, supporting wounded service members in professional pilot training.
    • Continued contributions to global charities including UNICEF, Oxfam, and Action Against Hunger.

About Private-Radar
Private-Radar, based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Community of Madrid, Spain, offers a flexible and user-friendly Flight School Management System and Aircraft Tracking System. Private-Radar enables pilot training centers of all sizes to efficiently manage every aspect of flight and ground training. Our solutions are made for students, instructors, and staff giving your organization full control of all training, administrative, and finance information. Private-Radar will allow you to simplify complex tasks such as scheduling flight and ground lessons, following student progress, reporting, invoicing, and keeping track of aircraft maintenance. You will always be compliant and ready for audits.

Source: Private-Radar
Photo Credit: Private-Radar

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Irish Airline, Aer Lingus, Takes Delivery of its First Airbus A321XLR Aircraft

Ireland – Ireland’s national carrier Aer Lingus has taken delivery of its first of six A321XLR aircraft. The airline becomes the second in the world to operate the A321XLR as well as the second in the International Airlines Group (IAG).

Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, the aircraft took off from the Airbus production site in Hamburg, Germany, on 18 December to Aer Lingus’ home base at Dublin airport, Ireland.

The Aer Lingus A321XLR is configured with 184 seats in a two-class layout featuring 16 full-flat Business Class and 168 Economy Class seats. It is the first aircraft in the Aer Lingus fleet to offer passengers and cabin crew the enhanced comfort of Airbus’ Airspace Cabin, featuring XL overhead bins with 60% more storage space compared to previous generation aircraft. In addition, in-seat connectivity is available to all passengers while the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

The aircraft will enable Aer Lingus to operate new routes beyond the US East Coast and Canada, with destinations including Nashville and Indianapolis.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo Family, responding to market needs for more range and payload, creating even more value for the airlines. It will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm, some 15% more range than the A321LR and 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft, as well as reduced NOx emissions and noise. So far, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the type.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321XLR aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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CPaT Partners with Wizz Air to Enhance Aviation Training

Houston, Texas, USA – headquartered CPaT Global, the world’s leading provider of distance learning for the airline and aviation industry, announced they have been awarded a new contract with Wizz Air. CPaT will be providing Wizz Air with their Airbus A320 family of Aircraft Systems courses and robust library of General Subjects for their pilot training programs. In addition, Wizz Air will leverage CPaT’s Cabin Crew Training Suite, including Aircraft Systems for Cabin Crew, Cabin Crew Safety and General Subjects, and 3D Cabins. The airline will further benefit from CPaT Invent, a content design platform, which will enable them to easily tailor and update their courses as needed.

“This partnership with Wizz Air highlights our commitment to delivering high-quality aviation training solutions to leading airlines across Europe,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, Vice President of Sales. “By enhancing training for both pilots and cabin crew, we’re helping Wizz Air further improve their training programs and ensure their teams are equipped for continued success.”

“We have selected CPaT as our new strategic partner to source e-learning content deployed on our Training Management System to further enhance the knowledge competency of our Flight and Cabin Crew,” said Petros Souppouris, Head of Group Training at Wizz Air. “We train 7000 pilots and cabin crew annually, most of them belonging to a digitally native generation, and continue adopting and testing new technologies to meet their expectations. We appreciate the well-established market leadership of CPaT, the large variety of courses offered, and their flexible approach to our training policies.”

About Wizz Air
Wizz Air operates a fleet of 225 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. A team of dedicated aviation professionals delivers superior service and very low fares, making Wizz Air the preferred choice of 62 million passengers in the Financial Year 2024, ending 31 March 2024. Wizz Air is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker WIZZ. The company was recently named one of the world’s top five safest airlines by airlineratings.com, the world’s only safety and product rating agency, and named Airline of the Year by Air Transport Awards in 2019 and in 2023. Wizz Air has also been recognised as the “Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline” in 2021-2024 and “Best Airline for Carbon Reduction” by World Finance Sustainability Awards in 2024. Wizz Air also received “EMEA’s Environmental Sustainability Airline Group of the Year” by the CAPA-Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence 2024.

Source: CPaT
Photo Credit: CPaT

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L3Harris Commercial Aviation Solutions is Seeking to Hire a Chief Flight Instructor for the UK in December 2024

Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom – L3Harris Commercial Aviation Solutions is hiring a Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) to oversee simulator-based flight training programs at its Crawley location. This leadership role ensures compliance with aviation regulations, manages instructor teams, and maintains the highest training and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

Training Oversight

  • Supervise and coordinate all simulator-based flight training programs
  • Ensure training syllabi, manuals, and lesson plans comply with UKCAA, EASA, and other regulatory requirements
  • Lead curriculum development and updates to reflect industry advancements

Instructor Management

  • Recruit, train, and manage simulator instructors
  • Conduct performance evaluations and professional development sessions
  • Standardize instructional methods and mentor instructors

Regulatory Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with National Aviation Authority regulations
  • Liaise with aviation authorities during audits and resolve findings promptly
  • Maintain accurate training records and documentation

Safety and Technology Management

  • Enforce safety protocols and participate in Safety Management System (SMS) processes
  • Collaborate with technical teams to ensure simulator maintenance and certification
  • Stay updated on advancements in simulator technology

Candidate Requirements

Licensing and Certifications

  • Valid Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)
  • Type Rating on relevant aircraft
  • Qualifications meeting regulatory standards for a Chief Flight Instructor

Experience

  • Extensive experience as a Type Rating Instructor, emphasizing simulator-based training
  • Proven leadership in training operations within an ATO or airline training department
  • Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance in flight training

Skills

  • Leadership and team management skills
  • Expertise in simulator technology and its applications
  • Excellent communication and administrative abilities
  • Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Position Details

  • Full-time position
  • Benefits include 25+ days of holiday, private medical insurance, pension, life assurance, and more

To apply, please visit L3Harris Commercial Aviation Job Post.

Source: L3Harris Commercial Aviation Solutions

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Simnest Aviation

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Balázs Herendi – CEO of Simnest Aviation – a simulator manufacturer based in Hungary, focused on designing and manufacturing professional FSTDs.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Evolution and Achievements: Simnest Aviation, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hungary, specializes in designing and manufacturing professional flight simulation training devices (FSTDs). The company has installed multiple simulators globally, achieving milestones such as introducing the first APS MCC training in Romania.
  • Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships: Simnest collaborates with key customers like the Danish Center Air Pilot Academy, Portuguese International Flight Academy, Norwegian Redflight Aviation, fostering long-term partnerships. It recently expanded its global footprint by partnering with Avion as its exclusive sales and service partner for the APAC region, aiming for broader international growth.
  • Innovative Training Solutions: The company integrates its expertise with the Simnest Pilot Academy to enhance understanding of ATO operations. Simnest devices are designed to optimize pilot training by offering cost-effective, high-fidelity, type-representative fixed-base simulators suitable for APS MCC and MPL programs.
  • Industry Trends and Challenges: Balázs highlighted trends such as increased reliance on type-representative devices, the growing adoption of APS MCC courses, and the use of AI, VR, and simulated ATC environments. He emphasized the industry’s challenge of balancing pilot demand with maintaining training quality amid a global pilot shortage.
  • Commitment to Safety: Simnest Aviation prioritizes safety by providing realistic training environments for cadets transitioning to jet-based aircraft. It also supports customers with end-to-end services, from device manufacturing to certification and operational documentation, offering a seamless experience for flight training organizations.

For more information:

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

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Digital Aviation Publisher, Padpilot, Receives Investment by Rose Street Partners

United Kingdom – Investment firm Rose Street Partners has announced its third investment of 2024, investing into Padpilot, a leading provider of digital aviation training content. Padpilot, recognized for its innovative and high-quality materials, has established itself as a prominent player in the European market and is now expanding globally.

Rose Street Partners will support Padpilot’s long-term growth ambitions while maintaining the company’s culture of quality and innovation.

Statements

  • Dan Skyte, Founder and CEO of Rose Street Partners, commented: “Padpilot is a truly unique business, committed to proving the best aviation training content in the world. Padpilot’s relentless focus on quality and innovation has driven extraordinary levels of growth, and we look forward to working with Nathan, Cristina, Katharine, and the rest of the team in continuing this trajectory for many years to come.Huge thank you to founders Graham & Jill Cownie for being a pleasure to work with, and for placing their trust in Rose Street to support the remarkable company that they have built.“

Source: Rose Street Partners

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