Market Intelligence: -Flight School

Australian University Pilot Training Academy Seeking Chief Pilot – Head of Operations in 2025

Australia – RMIT University is seeking to recruit and appoint a Chief Pilot – Head of Operations for its Aviation Academy, a full-time ongoing role based primarily at the Point Cook campus with operational oversight of the Bendigo Base.

Overview:

  • 1 x full time, ongoing position based at the Point Cook campus and will have responsibility for the Bendigo Base operations, however, may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University
  • Take charge of RMIT’s flight training operations, ensuring compliance with CASA regulations while aligning with RMIT’s strategic objectives to deliver world-class aviation education
  • Play a pivotal role in maintaining the Academy’s reputation for excellence by fostering a professional, inclusive, and performance-driven environment for both staff and students.

Please see an extract of the job post below.

“About You

As Chief Pilot at RMIT Aviation Academy, you will play a pivotal role in steering the strategic and operational direction of RMIT Aviation Academy’s flight training programs. Reporting directly to the Director and CEO, you will ensure that all training operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations. Collaborating closely with the Academy’s leadership team, you will align the aviation training programs with RMIT’s academic, operational, and strategic objectives. Your leadership will uphold and enhance the Academy’s reputation for excellence, fostering a professional, inclusive, and performance-driven environment that prepares the next generation of aviation professionals.

To be successful in this position, you’ll have / you’ll have as a minimum:

  • Comprehensive understanding of the aviation industry legislation and CASA regulations for flight training and ability to translate these into operational outcomes.
  • Proven people leadership and management experience including the lead, coach and motivate staff towards the achievement of strategic organisational objectives.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively as a constructive and proactive member of a team.
  • Proven high-level interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships and networks with a broad range of internal and external key stakeholders, with the ability to influence key outcomes and adapt communication styles particularly to teaching and consultancy environments.
  • Effective presentation and facilitation skills, and in the use of flexible teaching methods.
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in competency-based assessment.
  • Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional documentation for various audiences, to support briefing, influencing or negotiation activities with senior stakeholders and effectively communicate complex information to people with varying levels of technical literacy.
  • Demonstrated capability to diagnose learning problems in students, propose and implement effective solutions.
  • Highly developed planning and organisational skills, with experience establishing priorities, allocating resources and meeting deadlines
  • Demonstrated skills in the use of relevant information and communication technologies including Microsoft packages and databases.
  • Demonstrated experience as a Flight Examiner in the administration of flight tests up to, and including, Commercial Pilot License and Multi Engine Instrument Ratings.

Qualifications

Postgraduate qualification in aviation, such as a Bachelor of Aviation, and extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant training/experience.

Mandatory qualifications

The HOO/CFI appointed is required to meet all the following minimum standards:

Vocational Competencies

  • CPL licence and Air Transport licence
  • Minimum of 5,000 PIC
  • Capable of holding CASA HOO
  • Grade 1 Flight Instructor Endorsement M/E and FIR / IR Training endorsements
  • Flight Examiner approvals RPL, PPL, CPL, FIR and CIR
  • Significant experience in Instructor and Instrument training; and

The appointee must be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level of those delivered.

Teaching Qualification

  • The appointee must hold the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment as a minimum qualification. This consists of 10 units (7 core and 3 electives).
  • Current Flight Examiner Rating (Recreational, Private, Commercial).

If you do not hold these at the time of appointment, you must obtain within 12 months of your commencement date.

To be eligible for this appointment, you must be an Australian citizen.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.

Applications Close: 25 May 2025 11.59 pm”

To learn more about this role and to apply click here.

Source: RMIT University
Photo Credit: RMIT University

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Hungarian Pilot Academy Simnest Pilot Academy Partners with Italian Flight Training Group for Advanced Pilot Training in 2025

Italy – Professional Aviation, one of Italy’s largest flight training organizations, has partnered with Hungary-based Simnest Pilot Academy to enhance its Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC) training program. The collaboration aims to strengthen cadet readiness for airline operations by integrating Simnest’s expertise in advanced simulator training.

  • Professional Aviation operates a fleet of nearly 30 aircraft and offers a comprehensive range of pilot training courses, including ATPL, PPL, CPL, and UPRT.
  • Simnest Pilot Academy specializes in APS MCC, MCC, and JOC courses, utilizing an A320-based FNPT II MCC simulator.
  • The partnership will incorporate Simnest’s APS MCC training into Professional Aviation’s curriculum, providing cadets with enhanced multi-crew cooperation skills.
  • Simnest representatives, including Capt. Kuhtreiber Gyula and Capt. Cosmin Gherman, visited Professional Aviation’s Italian base in April 2025.

Source: Simnest Pilot Academy
Photo Credit; Simnest Pilot Academy

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US Flight School Paragon Flight Training Engages in FAA’s Part 141 Modernization Efforts

USA –Paragon Flight Training has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing flight training standards through active participation in the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA). President Christopher Schoensee and Chief Flight Instructor Jeffrey Wolf, both NFTA board members, are contributing to the FAA-led initiative to modernize Title 14 CFR Part 141 regulations governing pilot schools.​

In his latest blog, President Christopher Schoensee discusses Paragon Flight’s role in the NFTA and the series of meetings the alliance is hosting to review and update regulations for flight schools governed by 14 CFR Part 141. Here’s Jeff’s summary:

“First, it’s quite remarkable that the FAA is approaching the industry and encouraging us to suggest and ultimately implement dramatic changes.In the spirit of moving the flight industry forward, meeting discussions centered on certification for flight schools seeking to qualify as a 141 school, ongoing certificate management, and final examining authority by schools in lieu of FAA examinations. Immediate and short-term fixes are focused on policy changes that emphasize efficiency, quality and safety and can be made quickly without going through extended FAA regulatory channels. The comprehensive rewrite of the 141 regulations is a longer-term goal, with an initial draft expected by the end of the year that could then take up to two years for final FAA review and approval.

Ensuring the new regulations are not a burden for 141 Right school operators will be a key part of the regulatory rewrite. In a nutshell, these early days found us identifying pain points and exploring solutions that 141 schools in the fight training industry can collectively embrace.”

  • The FAA has appointed NFTA as its industry partner to coordinate public meetings aimed at updating Part 141 regulations, which have remained largely unchanged since 1997.
  • The first meeting, held April 1–3, 2025, focused on certification processes, certificate management, and examining authority for Part 141 schools.
  • Jeffrey Wolf represented Paragon Flight at the meeting, highlighting the FAA’s openness to industry input and the potential for significant regulatory reforms.
  • Discussions emphasized short-term policy changes to enhance efficiency and safety, with a comprehensive regulatory rewrite anticipated by the end of the year.
  • The initiative aims to align Part 141 regulations with modern flight training practices, incorporating new technologies and methodologies to improve pilot education.​

About Paragon Flight Training
Paragon Flight Training, based in Fort Myers, Florida, is an FAA-approved flight school offering a range of pilot training programs. With a fleet of modern aircraft and advanced simulators, Paragon provides comprehensive training for aspiring pilots at various levels.

Source: Paragon Flight Training
Photo Credit: Paragon Flight Training

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Reiser Simulation and Training Celebrates H145 D3 FTD3 CAA Certification of UK Client

United Kingdom – helicopter training provider Starspeed Training has received UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) certification for its H145 D3 helicopter Flight Training Device (FTD) at Level 3. The approval, issued on April 16, 2025, confirms the simulator’s compliance for various IFR and type-related training tasks, marking a significant milestone in Starspeed’s training capabilities.

  • The certified device is an Airbus Helicopters BK117 D-3 (H145 D3) FTD Level 3 simulator.

  • Built with Reiser Simulation and Training visual systems based on X-Plane 11, featuring a 200-degree laser-projected visual setup.

  • Fitted with Safran Arriel 2E engine model and Helionix Step 3.2 avionics suite (Version 8).

  • Approved for IFR training and checks, auto-coupled approaches, use of ACAS I, and WX radar operation.

  • Developed by RS Flight Systems GmbH and powered by REISER Simulation and Training’s Level D Full-Flight Simulation software, the device is situated at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.

About Starspeed
Starspeed is a UK-based helicopter training and charter operator known for its high standards in pilot training and fleet management. It offers advanced flight simulation capabilities and operational training for both private and commercial helicopter pilots.

Source: Starspeed
Photo Credit: Starspeed

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Sky One Group Chairman Supports Development of Indian Pilot Training Ecosystem

India – As the aviation sector marks World Pilots’ Day on April 26, industry leaders and regulators highlight India’s potential to become a global pilot training hub, amidst growing demand for pilots driven by regional and global fleet expansion.

  • World Pilots’ Day, officially recognised by IFALPA in 2014, honours pilots’ contributions to global aviation and is observed annually on April 26.

  • Boeing’s ‘Pilot and Technician Outlook 2024-2043’ forecasts a requirement for 674,000 new pilots globally over the next two decades, with Asia-Pacific as a key growth region.

  • India’s Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu estimates the country will need approximately 30,000 pilots over the next 15 to 20 years, due to large-scale aircraft orders by Indian carriers.

  • The country currently has an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 active pilots, indicating a substantial shortfall to meet projected demand.

  • In 2023, India issued a record 1,622 Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs), though this figure declined to 1,342 in 2024.

  • Sky One Group Chairman, Jaideep Mirchandani, emphasised India’s opportunity to become a global pilot training hub by strengthening its training infrastructure and regulatory support.

  • He welcomed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) new FTO rating system and proposed dedicated airports for cargo and pilot training to accelerate capacity development.

  • Mirchandani also advocated for cadet programmes based on international models and financial support mechanisms, such as subsidised loans and scholarships, to make training more accessible.

Statements:

  • “The DCA’s new rating system for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) is a step in the right direction, as it promotes higher training standards.” – Jaideep Mirchandani. “Encouraging airlines to train and employ local talent not only helps fill the current gap but also contributes to the broader economy through job creation and reduced dependence on foreign-trained pilots.”

About Sky One
Sky One is a global aviation services group headquartered in the UAE, involved in aircraft leasing, charter operations, and aviation training services. The group supports initiatives aimed at enhancing pilot training infrastructure, particularly in emerging aviation markets like India.

Source: Sky One and Local Media

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