Market Intelligence: Europe

Manufacturer of Virtual Reality Headset for Pilot Training Vrgineers to Support Czech F-35 Transition

Czech Republic – Vrgineers is thrilled to have been selected to be a part of the industrial cooperation project for the Czech Republic under the Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) surrounding the Czech Republic’s purchase of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

This is not the first project that these two companies have worked on together, as the collaboration between Vrgineers and Lockheed Martin started many years ago when Lockheed Martin was among the first companies in the military industry to test Vrgineers’ next-gen virtual and mixed reality headsets for professional pilot training. Vrgineers has since made its technologies fully integrated with Lockheed Martin’s simulation software. This recent collaboration agreement reflects their mutual respect and an ongoing commitment to progress and innovation.

Under the industrial cooperation collaboration with Lockheed Martin, Vrgineers together with 10 other participants, including other companies and universities, will receive funding to develop or manufacture different parts, systems and equipment, which will support Czech industry and military technological advancement as the Czech Air Force transitions to a 5th Generation fighter.

About Vrgineers
Vrgineers is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced, TAA-compliant virtual and mixed reality XTAL and Somnium VR1 headsets, along with simulators specialized for professional pilot and defense training. Our headset portfolio includes the XTAL 3 VR, XTAL 3 NEO, XTAL 3 CAVU, and the Somnium VR1 VR and MR headset, each designed for unmatched immersion and performance. In simulators, we offer the ultra-compact Portable Trainer, the reconfigurable Classroom Trainer, and the customizable Custom Trainer, adaptable for a variety of flight, racing, and land force applications.

Source: Vrgineers
Photo Credit: Vrgineers

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Irish Pilot Training Organisation AFA Visits Portuguese Flight School in June 2025

Ireland & Portugal – Students and graduates of Portugal’s International Flight Academy (IFA) had an exciting opportunity to engage directly with representatives from Airline Flight Academy (AFA) during a dedicated session exploring the APS MCC Mentored Pilot Program. The initiative highlights IFA’s commitment to connecting cadets with structured airline pathways.

Source: International Flight Academy
Photo Credit: International Flight Academy

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Italian Airline Owned Pilot Training Academy Goes Live with New Website Showing 2025 Offering

Rome, Italy – Aeroitalia Aviation Academy has officially launched its new website, offering a comprehensive overview of its training programs, instructional standards, and academy values. The offering includes:

  • Embraer 175 type rating
  • ATR72 type rating
  • A320 type rating
  • B737 type rating

In April, Aeroitalia had appointed Captain Antonio Chialastri as the new CEO of the Aeroitalia Aviation Academy as of April 2025.

Aeroitalia currently operates: 10 B737, 2 ATR72 and 2 ERJ.

Check out the new website here.

Source: Aeroitalia Aviation Academy

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AAP Aviation Highlights 40 Percent of Candidates Selected for Airline Cadet Program Were Woman

Oslo, Norway – In a recent insight published by aviation recruitment and staffing firm AAP Aviation on the topic of future pilot shortage, the organization called for financially accessible, inclusive pilot training pathways. It states

  • Structured programs, like fully funded or job-guaranteed cadet schemes, are essential to building a resilient and diverse pilot workforce. These programs address both the financial barriers and the career uncertainty that discourage potential candidates from entering the profession.

  • Airlines leading with long-term investment in training are already seeing results. For example:

    • Wizz Air’s “She Can Fly” offers a fully funded cadet program for women, combining financial support, mentorship, and visibility, while advancing both workforce and diversity goals

    • Iberia and Emirates have implemented cadet pathways that blend partial funding with job placement guarantees or in-house academies

    • Icelandair’s cadet program, developed in partnership with AAP Aviation and Pilot Flight Academy, reflects a targeted, high-standard selection process; notably, 40% of candidates selected in 2023 were women

Source: AAP Aviation
Photo Credit: Pilot Flight Academy

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New Agreement Supports Disability Employment in Barcelona’s Aviation Sector

Spain– Barcelona Flight School, based at the Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell, announced on May 29, 2025, a formal partnership with Fundació Tallers | Inclusió Laboral. The collaboration aims to enhance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and bolster the inclusive growth of the region’s aviation industry.

  • The announcement was made during a signing ceremony at the Aeroclub’s Sabadell facilities, marking the culmination of a successful working relationship developed through the Labour Insertion Service (SIL).

  • This strategic alliance aligns with the broader development of the Barcelona-Sabadell Aeronautical Hub, envisioned as a future-facing innovation and employment zone within Catalonia’s aviation landscape.

  • Barcelona Flight School Director Cristina Biosca emphasized the significance of linking aviation education and training with social inclusion, stating the school’s commitment to being a driver of both industry advancement and community equity.

  • The initiative connects educational efforts with tangible workforce development, targeting local municipalities such as Barberà del Vallès and Badia del Vallès.

  • Key figures from the public and private sectors lent support to the launch, including:

    • Ricard Matas, General Manager, Fundació Tallers

    • Montserrat Sarrión, Ajuntament De Barbera Del Valles

    • Marga Garcia, Barberà Promoció

    • Dora Hernández, AEOAS (Sabadell Airport Business Association)

About Barcelona Flight School
Barcelona Flight School, located at Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell, is Spain’s premier professional pilot training institution. With a global reputation for excellence, the school offers integrated flight training programs certified by EASA and ICAO. It plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of airline and private pilots, while contributing actively to the Barcelona-Sabadell Aeronautical Hub.

Source: Barcelona Flight School
Photo Credit: Barcelona Flight School

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Hungary’s SIMNEST Pilot Academy’s Simulators Surpass 25,000 Flight Hours

Hungary – SIMNEST Pilot Academy celebrates a significant operational milestone as three of its flight simulators have surpassed 25,000 hours of use.

  • The A320 FNPT II devices were manufactured by Simnest Aviation

  • Surpassing 25,000 hours reflects the high reliability and quality of the devices

  • Cadets have earned more than 1,500 MCC, APS MCC, and MCCI certificates from the use of these devices

  • SIMNEST Pilot Academy installed the 4th A320 device in March 2025

Source: SIMNEST Pilot Academy
Photo Credit: SIMNEST Pilot Academy

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Greek Flight School Egnatia Aviation Deepens 2025 Strategic Partnerships in the Middle East

Kavala, Greece – Egnatia Aviation reaffirmed its leadership in global airline pilot training through a recent strategic visit to Iraq and Kurdistan. The visit aimed to enhance partnerships, expand aviation education access, and strengthen regional collaboration in line with the company’s mission to train airline pilots at the highest global standards. As the exclusive training partner of Iraqi Airways, Egnatia Aviation continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation across the MENA region.

  • Participation in Delphi Forum Slemani on regional security, energy, and economic diversification
  • Strategic meetings with Iraqi Airways Training Management and Iraqi CAA to review and align training and regulatory cooperation
    • Through official meetings with Iraqi Airways Training Management and the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Egnatia Aviation reviewed its successful long-standing cooperation and aligned with the latest training and regulatory standards. As the exclusive training partner of Iraqi Airways, Egnatia Aviation continues to deliver world-class training to the next generation of Iraqi pilots.
  • Collaboration talks with Almaaqal University of Basra to expand aviation education pathways
  • Vocational Guidance sessions delivered at Basra Ishik Schools to inspire future aviators

Source: Egnatia Aviation
Photo Credit: Egnatia Aviation

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Polish Aviation Academy Receives Dual EASA Qualification for Boeing 737-8MAX Flight Training Device from FTD.aero

Warsaw, Poland – FTD.aero’s key partner Polish Aviation Academy (PAL) receives dual EASA qualification for the Boeing 737-8MAX Flight Training Device.

The state-of-the-art FTD, which is a high-fidelity replica of a Boeing 737-8MAX flight deck, is now officially approved as both an EASA FTD-2 Type-Specific Device and an FNPT II APS MCC trainer, delivering an immersive training environment for current and future airline pilots.

This achievement ensures even more flexibility in PAL’s training programs, expands the FTD’s training credits and reinforces both companies’ shared commitment to safety, quality, and innovation in airline pilot training.

Source: FTD.aero
Photo Credit: FTD.aero

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