Market Intelligence: -Flight School

Aviation and Pilot Training Industry Stakeholders Form Consortium to Develop Tool for Evaluating Pilot Behaviour

  • Thales has formed a consortium with ENAC, l’ENS Paris-Saclay, Simaero, AviaSim and Corsair to develop a tooled methodology for evaluating pilot behaviour under the PERCEVAL project (Pilot bEhaviouR and CompEtency EVALuation).
  • The consortium brings together the expertise of all the stakeholders in the airline pilot training community, including airlines, training centres, civil aviation schools, and public and private research organisations.
  • This Thales-led research project is designed to meet the new flight safety requirements of the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Sponsored by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC), the PERCEVAL project (Pilot bEhaviouR and CompEtency EVALuation) will be conducted by a Thales-led consortium including the ENAC national civil aviation school, the research Centre Borelli from l’ENS Paris-Saclay, the Corsair airline and the Simaero and AviaSim training centres to validate a new approach to behavioural evaluation of airline pilots and air traffic controllers.

Training programmes are changing rapidly in the civil aviation sector, particularly with the introduction of Evidence-Based Training (EBT) concepts and other new training and evaluation methods. One major benefit of the new approach is its focus on non-technical skills and their role in building trust and developing the capacity of crew members to recognise unexpected or unpredictable situations.

By bringing together all the stakeholders in the training community, the consortium will leverage this collective intelligence to reshape the future of airline pilot training and improve flight safety by continuing to reduce the risk of human error.

From ab initio training to recurrent training and crew training, the consortium has all the resources needed to design, develop and test this new technological concept. As consortium leader, Thales brings to the table the knowledge and technology from its research into human factors analysis for aircraft pilots based on a multi-modal approach combining voice, eye movements and motor skills.

The DGAC supports this project as an innovative initiative contributing to the evolution of airline pilot training.

Partners and sponsors

Thales – Consortium leader

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies within three domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Digital Identity & Security. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key areas such as quantum technologies, Far Edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity. Thales has 77,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2022, the Group generated sales of €17.6 billion

ENAC – Partner

ENAC (Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile), under the supervision of the French Ministry of Ecology and Solidarity, and the French civil aviation authority (Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile, DGAC), brings together teaching and research in aeronautical engineering, air navigation and aircraft piloting. Each year, ENAC welcomes over 2,000 students enrolled across more than 30 study programmes, and 3,500 trainees enrolled in continuing training courses.

ENAC’s 28,000 graduates can be found in a hundred different countries on five continents, proof of the university’s international reach. ENAC’s scope, human resources and teaching methods make it Europe’s leading air transport university.

ENS Paris-Saclay – Partner

The “Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay”, a large and major school for careers in research and higher education, aims to lead its students towards a doctorate. Students are rigorously selected to follow advanced courses in the basic sciences, humanities, social sciences and engineering.

The Centre Borelli is an applied mathematics laboratory. Created in January 2020, it is the result of the merger of two research units: the Center for Mathematics and their applications (CMLA), Mathematics laboratory of ENS Paris-Saclay and CNRS and Cognition Action Groupe (Cognac-G), neuroscience laboratory of the University of Paris, CNRS and army health. The Centre Borelli is a multidisciplinary research laboratory bringing together researchers in mathematics, computer science, neuroscience, but also many doctors. It is involved in the training of graduates of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, and coordinates the Master’s degree in Mathematics, Vision and Learning (MVA).

Simaero – Partner 

An international group specializing in airline pilot training on flight simulators, Simaero is partnering with over 250 airlines from 80 countries. Based in Paris, the group has training centers located in France, South Africa, China, and soon in India, offering training on a wide range of aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing, and ATR . Simaero is certified by more than 50 civil aviation authorities, such as the EASA in Europe, the SACAA in South Africa, and the CAAC in China. Simaero also provides its clients with technical expertise for simulator upgrades and relocations through its subsidiary « Simaero Engineering».

AviaSim – Partner

AviaSim is the European leader in aeronautical leisure. The company created in 2012 offers every curious and aviation enthusiast the opportunity to try piloting an airliner on board an ultra-realistic simulator. With its network and its simulators, AviaSim now meets the demand for training or selection of future B737/A320 flight crew.

Corsair – Partner

Corsair is a French long-haul scheduled airline employing 1,100 people. It flies 1.5 million passengers a year. Corsair operates flights to the Caribbean (Guadeloupe, Martinique), the Indian Ocean (Reunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, Madagascar), Africa (Ivory Coast, Mali, Benin) and Canada (Montreal).

Corsair operates from Paris/Orly, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Nantes.

DGAC – Sponsor

The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has the mission of guaranteeing the safety and security of air transport by placing the logic of sustainable development at the heart of its action. It deals with all the components of civil aviation: sustainable development, safety, air traffic control, economic regulation, support for aeronautical construction, general aviation, aeronautical training.

Source: Thales
Photo Credit: Simaero

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Czech Republic Flight Training Group F AIR Receives Awarded Significant Contribution to Czech Aviation

One of Europe’s largest flight training organisations when measured by aircraft fleet size, Czech Republic based F AIR is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded honorable recognition for its significant contribution and presentation of Czech aviation and cosmonautics over 30 years of successful pilot training. This prestigious award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the entire F AIR team.

Flight School F AIR was selected by the Council for the Selection and Awarding of Recognitions to teams and individuals for their significant and outstanding contribution to the Czech aviation and cosmonautics, acknowledging F AIR unwavering contribution and outstanding presentation of Czech aviation and cosmonautics. This selection reaffirms F AIR’s continuous effort to spread knowledge and passion for aviation and cosmonautics among their students, the public, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers.

The ceremonial award presentation took place during the 12th meeting of the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space Program of the Economic Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic in Prague on March 25th, 2024.

F AIR’s representatives, led by Ing. Michal Markovič, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), accompanied by JUDr. Jan Camrda, Company Deputy (DEP}, Ing. Miroslav Srnec, Head of Training (HOT), and Ing. Filip Bartůněk, Chief Operating Officer (COO), joyfully accepted this prestigious award and expressed gratitude for the recognition of the flight school’s work.

About Flight School F AIR
F AIR is a leading flight school in Central Europe with its headquarters at Benešov Airport, near Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. With a 34-year history, F AIR is the largest flight school in Central and Eastern Europe. It focuses on students from Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. With over 44 modern aircraft, 4 bases, 2 simulators, and modern facilities, it provides comprehensive pilot training services. F AIR is the best choice for future professional pilots.

Source: F AIR
Photo Credit: F AIR

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Spartan Education Group Joins 35th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference to Empower Women in the Industry

United States – Aircraft maintenance and flight training group Spartan Education Group (SEG) is proud to announce its participation in the 35th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, taking place from March 21-23, 2024, at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. Global airlines, female aviators, prospective aviators, and aviation education groups, like SEG, will gather to foster gender diversity and female inclusion within the aviation and aerospace industry.

The Women in Aviation International (WAI) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to empowering and supporting women within all aspects of the aviation industry. The 2023 WAI Conference broke records with a total attendance of more than 4,500, including 136 international representatives from 32 countries, including Canada, Ghana, Norway, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Kenya, Germany, and others.

“In most aviation occupations, women make up less than 20% of the workforce—and for the last 60 years, the introduction of women into the aviation and aerospace industry has been largely dormant. The aviation industry needs more women to pursue aviation careers to access the breadth of talent needed to meet our current—and growing—workforce challenges. Attracting, retaining, and advancing women in aviation is critical to the aviation industry’s safety, sustainability, profitability, and ability to innovate,” states WAl’s mission.

SEG will be an exhibitor at the WAI Conference, underscoring their dedication to training female professionals in aviation and related fields. SEG operates a collegiate FAA Part 141 aviation flight training program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as additional FAA Part 141 training in Chicago, Illinois and Broomfield, Colorado, and collegiate FAA Part 147 training in Tulsa, OK; Broomfield, CO; Inglewood, CA; and Riverside, CA. SEG currently has a 13% female student body and recognizes the importance of nurturing a diverse talent pool to address the evolving needs of the aviation sector.

For nearly a century, SEG’s Aeronautics and Technology colleges have been developing future aviation professionals nationwide, resulting in the training of over 100,000 pilots and technicians.

Jill Cagle graduated from SEG’s Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa campus in 2007, where she earned an Associate of Applied Science Professional Pilot degree. She epitomizes the essence of a female leader in aviation. After graduating from Spartan College, she embarked on a career as a charter pilot and more recently accepted a position flying for American Airlines. Reflecting on her time at Spartan, a fellow pilot remarked, “Jill was one of my instrument instructors, and she was exceptional! Professional, thorough, and always helpful. I can only imagine she’s an outstanding captain.” Jill’s work takes her across the United States, a journey she cherishes for the travel it entails. Grateful for her education at Spartan, she notes, “Their structured approach to teaching mirrored that of airlines, which greatly facilitated my learning process.”

Nicole Fern graduated from SEG’s Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa campus in 2007, with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. After graduating, she worked as a Contractor for the Department of Defense and spent 11 years as an Aircraft Mechanic, and seven years as a Quality Assurance Aircraft inspector. She now continues her career as a Maintenance Supervisor for Amentum, a global systems integration and technology solutions company. In her roles, Nicole has had the opportunity to work on a variety of notable aircraft, such as the UH-60 Blackhawk, CH-47 Chinook, AH-64 Apache Helicopter, and more. Fern is passionate about helping inspire other women interested in aviation technology to start their training journeys. Her most significant piece of advice to others interested in following in her footsteps? “Find a mentor who can help support you in your journey, and don’t be fearful to ask for help.”

SEG encourages their alumni, and anyone interested in learning about training for a career in aviation to stop by Spartan Education Group’s booth #2231 at the WAI Conference.

About Spartan Education Group 

Spartan Education Group, LLC (SEG), headquartered in Chicago IL, acquired Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in 2012. Spartan College, established in 1928, has trained over 100,000 pilots and aviation technicians 866.707.7652 | To learn more and for consumer information for Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology including locations of training, school licensing, and accreditation visit www.Spartan.edu. Spartan College is a system of three schools with four locations in the Tulsa, Denver, Los Angeles and Inland Empire areas that provide Aviation Maintenance Technology and Aviation Flight education for the aviation industry. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by campus and are subject to change. Third-party certifications and employment opportunities are not guaranteed. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Separately, SEG operates McAir Aviation flight school in Broomfield, CO and Illinois Aviation Academy in West Chicago, IL. Administrative office: Spartan Education Group, LLC, 1 N. Franklin St., Suite 2125, Chicago, IL 60606 .

Source: Spartan Education Group
Photo Credit: Spartan Education Group

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CAE’s President and CEO Attends Ceremony Marking End of CT-155 Hawk Training Operations for the Royal Canadian Air Force

Global pilot training solution provider CAE’s President and CEO, Marc Parent together with France Hebert, Vice-President and General Manager of CAE Defense and Security Canada as well as Scott Greenough, Director, NFTC Operations attended a ceremony marking the end of CT-155 Hawk training operations for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

“We are especially proud to have delivered training systems for the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program for almost a quarter century, and of our partnership in support of the operations of 419 squadron. For more than 75 years, CAE has been a trusted partner of the RCAF, and we’ll continue to provide advanced training and mission support services to the prepare the RCAF for the critical moments that matter.” shared CAE Defense and Security.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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