Market Intelligence: Europe

Operating One of the Largest Flight Schools in Europe – Portugal’s Sevenair Academy

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series AFM’s Customer Success & Business Development Manager Agata Marszalek speaks with Carlos Amaro – CEO of Sevenair Academy – one of the largest flight training organisations based at Ponte de Sor, Portugal.

The conversation covers:

  • Independent Growth and Expansion: Sevenair Academy has grown substantially, now independently owned by Carlos and his partner after separating from Sevenair Group. Located in Ponte de Sor, Portugal, the academy boasts 45 aircraft and a campus that accommodates up to 600 cadets, making it one of Europe’s largest training facilities.
  • Advanced Training Infrastructure: The academy benefits from a dedicated runway, advanced ILS (Instrument Landing System), extensive facilities, and optimal weather for flight training, with about 330 flyable days per year. These resources, combined with a robust fleet and new simulators, create ideal conditions for training pilots.
  • Partnerships and Pilot Shortage Solutions: Sevenair Academy collaborates with airlines like Luxair on sponsored cadet programs, aiming to address pilot shortages by supporting cadets financially and guaranteeing employment. They are also in talks with government bodies to explore cost-free training programs for talented cadets, hoping to make pilot training accessible regardless of financial background.
  • Safety and Quality Focus: Safety is a core value, with Sevenair prioritizing a strong safety culture embedded throughout its facilities and training protocols.
  • Advocacy for Industry Changes: Carlos highlighted challenges in the European pilot training sector, such as the shortage of qualified instructors, and advocates for regulatory adjustments to simplify instructor certification.

For more information:

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Flight Simulator Manufacturer FTD.aero Secures Recurrent Qualifications for APS MCC Simulators in Italy and Poland

FTD.aero is pleased to announce the successful EASA recurrent qualifications for its FNPT II APS MCC flight training devices at both Urbe Aero Flight Academy in Rome, Italy, and VDL Aviation in Warsaw, Poland. These certifications, completed in October, reflect FTD.aero’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, operational readiness, and regulatory compliance.

Each simulator, meticulously crafted to support the rigorous APS MCC training requirements, offers students a realistic airliner cockpit experience designed to enhance their hands-on skills. Through comprehensive on-site inspections and rigorous testing by NAA inspectors, both devices not only met but also surpassed key regulatory standards, reaffirming their robust operational integrity and resilience.

After over a year of intensive use, these devices have demonstrated exceptional reliability, supported by FTD.aero’s dedicated Customer Support team. This team ensures that simulators remain in optimal condition, safeguarding uninterrupted training schedules and promoting superior learning outcomes. FTD.aero’s proactive support services, including software updates, hardware upgrades, real-time monitoring, and preventive maintenance, are instrumental in maintaining maximum uptime and smooth training operations for Urbe Aero and VDL Aviation.

Source: FTD.aero

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Global Pilot Training Solution Provider Partners with Airline for 1 Year Training Contract

London, UK – L3Harris Airline Academy has announced its first direct training partnership with Aer Lingus UK, signing a one-year contract to deliver a full suite of pilot training services aimed at enhancing safety and operational excellence. The partnership, based at L3Harris’s London Training Centre (LTC), includes specialized training options tailored for Aer Lingus UK pilots at various career stages.

The comprehensive training package includes A330 Dry Training, Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ), Line Flying Under Supervision (LIFUS), A330 Type Ratings, instructor courses, and refresher sessions.

Statement’s

  • “Partnering with L3Harris for our pilot training needs provides excellent synergies. Their proven expertise and state-of-the-art training solutions align perfectly with our commitment to excellence and safety in aviation,” stated Mark Julian, Training and Standards Manager at Aer Lingus UK.
  • “This contract is a testament to the quality services we offer airline partners. It highlights Aer Lingus UK’s commitment to long-term training solutions, and we look forward to providing high-quality, immersive training solutions that empower their pilots to fly with confidence,” said Dave Coward, VP and General Manager for Training Services at L3Harris.
  • “We are thrilled to embark on this new partnership with Aer Lingus UK. Our state-of-the-art training solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of airlines, and we are committed to delivering the highest quality training that ensures pilots are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel,” commented Alan Crawford, President of L3Harris Commercial Aviation.

Source: L3Harris Airline Academy
Photo Credit: Aer Lingus (shown as meta image)

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French Aviation and Pilot Training Group, Mermoz Academy, Expands its Training Fleet with 3rd ALSIM Simulator

France headquartered flight simulator manufactuer ALSIM is pleased to announce the strengthening of its partnership with Mermoz Academy, which has recently acquired a second AL250 simulator for its facility in Nîmes. With this addition, Mermoz Academy now has three ALSIM simulators, including another AL250 and an AIRLINER. This new acquisition reflects Mermoz Academy’s ongoing confidence in ALSIM’s flight training solutions.

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.

Sylvain Morel, Head of Training at Mermoz Academy, explains: “To support its development, the Mermoz-Academy group needed to expand its fleet of IR simulators to meet its training criteria. We naturally chose the Alsim AL250 due to its performance and ease of teaching. This simulator aligns with the group’s specifications, particularly concerning uniformity and standardization.”

Audrey Jeffroy, ALSIM Sales Director, adds “We are delighted that Mermoz Academy has once again chosen to trust ALSIM. The addition of this third simulator to their fleet reinforces our long-term partnership. We look forward to seeing how our simulators will continue to enrich the training experience for their students.”

About Mermoz Academy
Founded in 1957, Mermoz Academy is a French flight training school for airline pilots and cabin crew, renowned for the quality of its teaching. Mermoz Academy is located in Paris (Rungis), and at the airports of Tours and Nîmes, as well as in San Diego, providing students with a full immersion in a realistic airport environment that prepares them for their future careers. With years of experience, rigorous teaching methods, and thanks to its teams and instructors, Mermoz Academy is particularly recognized by its partner airlines for training pilots who are well-prepared for the demands of the sector. To further enhance the quality of our training, we have recently acquired a new state-of-the-art simulator, the ALSIM AL250, designed to offer realistic and immersive training conditions.

About 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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Czech Flight Training Group, F AIR, Signs Training Agreement with SKY4u Aviation to Expand Training Opportunities

German pilot training organisation SKY4u Aviation, based in Berlin, and Czech flight training group F AIR, with its simulator base in Prague, have officially signed a new training agreement during the European Airline Training Symposium (EATS) 2024 in Cascais to strengthen their collaboration and expand training opportunities in the Czech Republic.

As part of this partnership, SKY4u will utilize F AIR’s B737NG and A320 fixed-base simulators at Prague International Airport, extending its APS-MCC and Type Rating training to this strategic location.

For F AIR, this collaboration means an expanded training portfolio with SKY4u as a trusted partner, adding APS-MCC and Type Ratings to complement its current ATPL training programs. This enhanced offering will benefit both individual pilots and airline partners, supporting advanced training pathways in aviation.

Source: F AIR
Photo Credit: F AIR

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Blackshape Aircraft to Showcase Aircraft at Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024

Italy headquartered training aircraft manufacturer Blackshape Aircraft, will debut its BK160 Gabriél in the Middle East at the upcoming Air Expo Abu Dhabi from November 19-21, 2024. The event, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), will offer aviation enthusiasts, professionals, and potential buyers a unique opportunity to witness the Gabriél up close.

Visitors are invited to meet the Blackshape team at booth #440 to explore the Gabriél’s standout features and learn more about the company’s vision for advanced personal and training aircraft.

Source: Blackshape Aircraft
Photo Credit: Blackshape Aircraft

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