Market Intelligence: -Flight School

BAA Training Expands Flight Training Base in Spain as it Plans to Become Largest Flight Training Organisation in the Country

BAA Training, the leader in aviation training solutions, has completed the large-scale expansion project of the training facilities at Lleida-Alguaire, Spain. The newly built facilities are an answer to the anticipated increased demand for pilot training due to the ongoing global pilot shortage.

As part of the expansion, the new main building can seat 40 students and a 15-person briefing area, which both allow seamless integration between theory and practice when it comes to student training.

“There has been a strong anticipation for a surge in student enrollment, which placed an emphasis on prioritizing our students’ comfort and training excellence here at our ground and flight schools in Lleida-Alguaire,” explained Joaquin Alejandro Suescun Atencio, Head of Flight School Operations at BAA Training. “That is why we made a strategic decision all the way back in 2022 to design and build new student facilities with those priorities in mind. Not only are we able to accommodate a larger number of students here in Lleida-Alguaire, but we also create an immersive infrastructure for both the faculty and the students.”

These new facilities encompass modern study spaces, well-equipped briefing rooms, spacious lounge areas, refreshing green spaces, and other additional amenities, creating a more effective and suitable training environment for networking and collaboration. The new training facilities have already welcomed their first batch of BAA Training students.

“The training demand to prepare well-rounded airline pilots is growing at a steady pace, that is for sure,” adds Miguel Del Moral, Corporate Strategy Manager at BAA Training. “One of our most popular training programs, the BAA Training Cadet Program, has been at the forefront of tackling that demand. Enrolled students cover all the bases: from theory and flight training all the way to Type Rating and guaranteed job offers at our partners—leading European airlines. The investment made into expanding our Lleida-Alguaire premises is, too, playing a significant role in making the cadet training program that much more attractive.”

The company’s overall growth has also included the significant expansion of BAA Training’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft fleet to develop the biggest pilot training base in Spain. The 48 Cessna 172s will be delivered by 2026.

To ensure the airworthiness and safety of the expanding aircraft fleet used for training, BAA Training’s MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) company, Avia Repair Co, has played a key role in Spain. With the hangar close to the flight school facilities, the company can guarantee effective routine inspections, repairs, and other necessary maintenance work.

To give a better look at the new training facilities in Lleida-Alguaire and to provide more information and insight into the cadet programs available, BAA Training is hosting an Open Door Day on June 15th, 2024.

In April 2024 BAA Training announced that it had partnered with Luxair, the flag carrier of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, has indicated that it will have “additional flight bases are scheduled for launch in the second half of 2024, with further openings in 2025 and 2026 across other parts of Europe.”.

BAA Training is part of the Irish company Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, with a fleet of 212 aircraft. The group also provides a range of aviation services including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and various associated services. Supported by 12,000 highly skilled aviation professionals, the group operates worldwide.

Source: BAA Training

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Flight Simulator Manufacturer ALSIM Receives Order for 2 Devices from Airline Owned Flight Training Group in May 2024

Turkish Airlines Flight Academy (TAFA), a flight training organisation and subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, signed a purchase agreement with France headquartered flight simulator manufacturer ALSIM for two Cessna 172 simulators during the IFTE 2024. This follow’s TAFA taking delivery of 10 brand new Cessna 172S training aircraft in 2023 to operate a fleet of 24 Cessna 172S aircraft.

In addition in 2023 Turkish Airlines Flight Academy (TAFA) signed an agreement with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for 20 single-engine training aircraft.

“As we prepare to carry our brand further within the scope of our vision for the next 10 years, it makes us all proud to see the high level of domestic and national opportunities and capabilities,” said Ahmet Bolat, Chairman at Turkish Airlines. “Our pilots to be trained with our aircraft to be produced by TAI will bring us closer to the fleet target of 800 aircraft, which we aim to have in 2033.”

“On the other hand, with this valuable agreement that will support TAFA to become an international pilot training center, the star of Turkish aviation will shine even brighter,” added Bolat.

Source: IFTE

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Philippines Based Aviation and Pilot Training Organization AAG Welcomes Aerocadets from Military Academy in April 2024

Clark, Philippines based aviation and pilot training group Alpha Aviation Group Philippines welcomed a group of 63 Aerocadets from the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 2024, along with officials from the Department of Air Warfare (DAW). The visit, which took place in April 2024, featured a corporate briefing and a comprehensive tour of AAG’s facilities. “It was an opportunity for the cadets to gain insights into civil organizations like AAG and its operational areas.” shared AAG.

Source: Alpha Aviation Group
Photo Credit: Alpha Aviation Group

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South African Flight Training Group 43 Air School Welcomes New April 2024 Cadets for Indian Airline Cadet Pilot Program

43 Air School, one of Africa’s largest flight training organisations, announced it has welcomed 5 new students for Insight’s IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme in April 2024. The program is done in partnership with Indian pilot training facilitator Insight Flyer who earlier in April visited 43 Air School .

“Thrilled to share my recent visit to 43 Air School in South Africa, our esteemed flying training partner for IndiGo Airlines’ cadet pilot program. Witnessing their top-notch facilities firsthand was truly awe-inspiring! With a fleet of 70+ aircraft ensuring seamless training, state-of-the-art MRO for comprehensive aircraft maintenance, cutting-edge simulators for advanced training, and a picturesque campus in Port Alfred, it’s no wonder 43 Air School stands out as one of the premier flight training institutions globally. Proud to be part of this partnership shaping the future of aviation.” shared Gaurav Bindal, Head of Training Department at Insight Flyer.

IndiGo, the leading airline of India, has appointed Insight Aviation to select and train ab-initio pilots for their Cadet Pilot Programme to fulfil their growing demand for pilots to cater for their massive fleet growth. Insight Aviation has teamed up with South Africa’s premier flight training organization, 43 Air School, to deliver a the flight training component of the program.

Key program statistics:

  • Cost USD$ 127,500
  • Age
    • Minimum Age: 18 Years on Last Date of Application
    • Maximum Age: 32 Years on Last Date of Application
  • Ground School in India for 4 months
  • Flight Training in South Africa for 11 monnths
  • License conversion in India for 4 months
  • Type Rating for A320

Source: Insight Aviation
Photo Credit: Insight Aviation

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Spanish Flight School FlyBy Places Order for 12 New Training Aircraft – Scheduled for 2025 Delivery

Tecnam announced that ‘FlyBy’, Spain’s leading General Aviation Flight Training Organisation has placed an order for an additional ten (10) Tecnam P2008JC and two (2) new P2006T NG. These will supplement their existing fleet of 31 aircraft. It is actually the largest order from the Spanish ATO that keeps growing steady. In fact, new orders are scheduled for 2025.

Current FlyBy’s fleet includes:

  • 8 P2008JC
  • 3 P2006T
  • 3 P2002JF
  • 2 P mentors

The new TECNAM P2006T NG (Next Generation) is the result of more than 300 improvements of the current P2006T MkII. Pilots now benefit from an additional front door for the co-pilot and external access to the baggage compartment. Windows have also been redesigned and made larger to improve visibility.

The powerplant is now provided by twin fuel injected Rotax9121Sc3 engines, offering high altitude efficiency and reduced fuel consumption of 14 lt/hr (3.7 USG/h) per engine.

The wing position and anti-collision lights are integrated into the winglets and equipped with state-of-the-art LED technology. This not only enhances efficiency, style, and visibility but also offers a more eco-friendly and durable lighting solution.

The interior has also undergone major improvements, with a central console that houses the FMS GCU477 keyboard for efficient management of all Garmin avionics, including the GFC700 3-axis autopilot, and the G1000 NXi, which offers an intuitive pilot interface with total connectivity between the tablet and the cockpit with the innovative Garmin Flight Stream avionics system.

Tecnam also offers a super-premium version: the P2006 NG SPORT. This version features an all-Italian design, pure luxury on every flight: black leather dashboard with soft LED lights, carbon-look panels, yokes and central console covered in leather, every detail meticulously designed and handcrafted. The cabin features Alcantara headliners, plush moquette seats, leather side walls and side panels with carbon look logos.

With its carbon-fibre fuselage, metal wings and stabilator, the Tecnam P2008JChas a vast number of advantages over traditional aircraft. This combination of both composite material and metal has resulted in a more fuel-efficient and much quieter aircraft.

The Tecnam P2008JC MkII version features a number of significant enhancements. Among these are a new avionics suite, including a new design of both the dashboard and glare shield, thereby enabling the introduction of the Garmin’s innovative G3X Touch display with a MD302 attitude instrument, also available as VFR Night.

Burgos, Spain based ‘FlyBy’, is renowned for its all-inclusive integrated flight training program which include accommodation, meals, iPad, ground school and flight simulators.

Course duration is just 14 months, with students combining ATPL Ground School with Visual Flight Rating (VFR), Instruments Flight Rating (IFR), and then completing a Multi-Engine and APS Multi Crew Cooperation module.

Students are more than 350 from 108 different countries, 55% of the students from Europe while the rest 45%, from the rest of the world.

In 2023 the ATO logged 23.000 flight hours, and the forecast for 2024 is even more. FlyBy has recently opened a new base in Logroño, Spain and will receive a total of 16 more Tecnam in 2024.

The ‘FlyBy’, senior management team has extensive experience in airline management, training management and ab initio flight school leadership.

Alex ALVAREZ, FlyBy CEO, says: “We have chosen Tecnam for our fleet for its modern design and low operational costs. There is nothing comparable to the P2006T in the market. Its quality, capabilities and total cost of ownership: acquisition and operational cost, are second to none.”

Walter DA COSTA, TECNAM Chief Sales Officer: “We are pleased to support the growth of modern flight schools such as FlyBy. Commercial operators urgently need pilots trained on modern aircraft with glass cockpits and the latest instrumental procedures.”

The Tecnam fleet is perfect for the today modern school as their aircraft offer the best efficiency, performance and value while meeting the latest certification standards with a unique feature as ‘the greenest fleet on the market. Efficiency that also means very low CO2 emissions. Recent study shows that flight schools operating with TECNAM single and twin-engine fleet can reduce emissions by up to 60%: 10 tons of CO2 for each student by the time they receive their Commercial Pilot License

About FlyBy
FlyBy is the commercial trademark of Fly Bai S.L: of Spain. Fly Bai is an Approved Training Organization registered with the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority (AESA) with registration number E-166. AESA is member of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the license issued is valid in all EASA member countries: Germany, France, etc. With many years of pilot training expertise, FlyBy provides training of the highest quality to student pilots. FlyBy offers an integrated course which includes CPL, ATPL, ME IR and MCC which combines ground school courses and flying training delivered in accordance with the EASA and AESA requirements.

About TECNAM; “Quality Aircraft since 1948”
Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and one of the world’s leading piston aircraft manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, the company is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates two subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, to serve and support the needs of local Tecnam owners and operators. Tecnam designs and manufactures a wide range of aircraft for personal use, commercial operations, business travel, flight training, surveillance, law enforcement and other specialised applications.

Source: Tecnam
Photo Credit: Tecnam

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European Airline Launches Fourth Edition of its Cadet Program in Partnership with Spanish Flight School

Iberia Airlines has announced the start of its latest Cadet Program in partnership with FTEJerez flight school. From April 30 to May 15, 2024 aspiring pilots can submit their applications. This program, designed by Iberia, aims to help aspiring pilots financially.

“We are very pleased to start the fourth edition of this successful program with which we not only promote the profession of pilots among young people, but also help them to finance their training under very advantageous conditions so that they can develop their vocation,” said Rafael Jiménez-Hoyos, Iberia’s Production Director.

Upon completing their studies, Iberia pledges to facilitate the integration of these cadets into the job market, commencing the reimbursement process for their education investment.

The Iberia Cadets program has seen the participation of 48 students thus far. Notably, 19 pilots from the inaugural edition have already joined Iberia’s workforce, with an additional 13 set to follow suit in June 2024. Furthermore, 16 young aviators are presently undergoing training at FTEJerez, to be joined by eight newly selected candidates in the latter part of 2024.

CEO of FTEJerez, Óscar Sordo, conveyed pride in Iberia’s continued reliance on their institution for grooming the next generation of pilots. He highlighted the program’s success since its inception in 2017 and underscored the industry’s growth trajectory and promising prospects.

Candidates selected for the program will undergo training to get their pilot’s license, with Iberia covering about half of the costs financed through an interest free loan. The airline actively oversees students’ training, conducting periodic assessments of their performance and progress.

This year alone, Iberia has welcomed over 30 new pilots into its fold to accommodate the demand across all its markets and to rejuvenate its workforce.

Source: Iberia Airlines

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