Market Intelligence: Europe

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Symbiotics – Leading Aspiring Pilot and Pilot Assessment Solutions

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Hannah Davies, Director of Strategy and Growth at Symbiotics – a leading assessment solution provider for the pilot training ecosystem and airlines.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Overview: Symbiotics are global leaders with over 30 years’ experience specialising in psychometric assessments for aviation professionals through their ADAPT online platform, delivering over 150,000 tests annually across 80 countries. Their solutions support airlines, training schools, militaries, and other aviation operators worldwide, to support the recruitment, selection and development of aviation professionals aligned with ICAO competencies and regulatory requirements.
  • Expansion into Cabin Crew Assessments: Symbiotics recently expanded its expertise to include cabin crew assessments. Developed with industry input and aligned with ICAO competencies and CBTA principles, the new suite evaluates personality, cognitive reasoning, and crew resource management skills. The company also partnered with Sky People Training to add a foundation knowledge test, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation for both new and experienced crew.
  • Global Presence and Innovation: Active at key training and aviation events worldwide, Symbiotics values direct engagement with clients to gather feedback and share insights. The company continues to innovate, with the upcoming launch of a mobile-optimised testing interface aimed at enhancing accessibility and user experience during global recruitment campaigns.
  • Industry Trends and Challenges: Hannah highlighted that while pilot recruitment has slowed due to supply chain issues, demand is expected to rise again soon. She noted a stronger focus on selecting the right candidates early to reduce training costs and improve success rates. A key challenge remains aligning and analysing large datasets to link psychometric outcomes with training performance under CBTA and EBT frameworks.
  • The Future of Pilot Training and Symbiotics’ Role: Looking ahead, Hannah envisions a more data-driven and inclusive pilot training industry, with competency-based and personalised learning paths. She also sees growing use of AI and technology – where proven effective – to enhance training quality and safety. Symbiotics aims to stay at the forefront by combining innovation, data analysis, and close collaboration with clients.

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Swiss Flight School Takes Delivery of 2 Bristell B23‑912iS Aircraft in October 2025

Switzerland – Kreutzer.aero, a Swiss flight training and aircraft operations company, has taken delivery of two new Bristell B23 912iS aircraft, marking a significant fleet enhancement for its training and charter operations. The aircraft will also be used in SPHAIR, Switzerland’s official selection program for aspiring military and civil pilots, operated in coordination with the Swiss Air Force.

  • The delivery was facilitated by Manuel Ruchti, Bristell’s authorized dealer in Switzerland, ensuring a smooth and efficient handover process.
  • The Bristell B23 912iS aircraft are equipped with Rotax 912iS fuel-injected engines and Garmin G3X glass cockpit avionics, offering a modern, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective platform ideal for both ab-initio and advanced pilot training.
  • The aircraft are certified for EASA CS-23 operations, supporting full training flexibility from Private Pilot Licence (PPL) to Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) levels.
  • For SPHAIR, the national pilot aptitude and screening program, these aircraft will serve as a core training platform for candidates preparing for Swiss Air Force and airline pilot pathways.

Source: Martin Berka (Bristell Aircraft)
Photo Credit: Martin Berka (Bristell Aircraft)

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Belgium’s Ostend Air College Invests in the ALSIM AL42 Simulator to Enhance its Pilot Training

Belgium – Ostend Air College, a Belgian flight school, has once again placed its trust in ALSIM by investing in a new AL42 simulator.

The AL42 is an exact replica of the Diamond DA42, built using genuine aircraft parts and equipped with the authentic Garmin™ G1000® Nxi. It also comes with the latest generation image generator (VFR-VS), a GFC™ 700 autopilot, and a force feedback system that ensures enhanced realism. It can also be equipped with either analog or glass (EFIS) backup instruments.

The AL42 model is designed for CPL, IR/ME and PPL training in compliance with current regulatory standards of EASA FNPT II (level).

Lieven Van Hoorick, FSTD Manager at Ostend Air College, says “We decided to invest in the ALSIM AL42 as part of our ongoing effort to future proof our training programs and maintain a high level of realism and quality in our pilot instruction. The AL42’s modern avionics, accurate flight dynamics and alignment with the DA42 cockpit make it a valuable tool for bridging the gap between simulation and real-world procedures.

Our partnership with ALSIM dates back to 2007. Having worked with the company for many years, we’ve come to appreciate the consistency and technical robustness of their simulators, which made the decision to continue with the AL42 a logical and well-founded one.”

Leonardo Rodrigues, Sales Manager at ALSIM, says, “We are delighted that Ostend Air College has once again chosen ALSIM to support its pilot training programs with the AL42 simulator. Their decision reflects the trust they place in the quality and reliability of our devices. We are proud to continue this collaboration and look forward to many more successful years working together.”

ALSIM will be present at EATS 2025 from November 4 to 6, 2025 (Booth: 516) in Cascais, Portugal, where visitors will have the opportunity to meet our team.

About Ostend Air College
Ostend Air College (OAC) is a certified Belgian flight school offering an integrated ATPL program for aspiring airline pilots. Students begin with no prior flight experience and are trained through an intensive course to become professional pilots. The program uses modern training aircraft such as the Diamond DA40 and DA42, both equipped with Garmin G1000 glass cockpit systems. OAC also features an FNPT II DA42 simulator, allowing students to practice realistic flight scenarios. The school is located at Ostend Airport, along the Belgian coast, and has over 25 years of experience in pilot training. Notably, OAC was the first flight school in Belgium to be officially approved under the designation BE/ATO-001.

About ALSIM
ALSIM has been developing and manufacturing FAA & EASA certified FNPT II, FNPT II MCC and AATD flight simulators since 1994. ALSIM is widely acknowledged for its know-how, built on over 30 years of experience in flight simulation. We’re proud to say our hardware & software is made 100% in house, which means peace of mind for our customers. Innovation is at the heart of ALSIM’s mission. By continuously anticipating the evolving needs of flight schools and training centers, the company remains at the forefront of pilot training technology. To date, over 450 ALSIM simulators are installed and certified in more than 60 countries, serving a network of more than 400 clients worldwide.

Source: ALSIM
Photo Credit: ALSIM

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Portuguese Flight School Omni Aviation Training Center Welcomes 3nd Batch of 2025

Portugal – OMNI Aviation Training Center (OATC) has announced the induction of Class 03-25, comprising 18 cadets, into its Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) program in November 2025.

This follow’s OATC’s announcement last month that it has selected Elixir Aircraft to renew its training fleet, marking a significant step in modernising its operations at Cascais Aerodrome.

  • OATC, founded in 1998, will transition from legacy trainers to Elixir’s 4th-generation two-seater, equipped with a full glass cockpit, whole-aircraft parachute, and autopilot level mode.

  • The fleet renewal is backed by Green Aero Lease, ensuring maximum operational availability and carbon neutrality through offsetting.

Source: OMNI Aviation Training Center
Photo Credit: OMNI Aviation Training Center

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