Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

USA’s Flight School Association of North America to Host 17th Annual Flight School Operators Conference in Coronado, California in February 2026

USA – The 17th Annual International Flight School Operators Conference & Trade Show, hosted by the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA), will take place from February 25–27, 2026, at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort near San Diego, California.

  • The 2026 conference will feature nearly 20 professional sessions, offering practical strategies on increasing profits, embracing technology, reducing costs, and exploring new business models in the flight training sector.

  • The conference is tailored for a wide range of participants, including:

    • Flight school owners

    • Flight instructors

    • Flight school managers

    • Chief flight instructors

    • Future school owners

    • Flight school investors

    • Maintenance staff

  • Attendees will have access to a dedicated trade show with aviation product and service providers essential to the training supply chain.

  • The event facilitates high-impact networking opportunities with government representatives, regulators, suppliers, and peer professionals in the pilot training industry.

  • FSANA highlights the importance of this annual event in helping schools adapt to changing market dynamics, scale operations, and become model training institutions in a competitive training landscape.

Source: FSANA

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Experimental Aircraft Association Strengthens Youth Aviation Pathway with Young Eagles Connect Portal to Mentor Future Pilots

USA – The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has launched Young Eagles Connect, a new digital portal aimed at strengthening support for aspiring pilots who have participated in the Young Eagles program. The initiative is designed to extend engagement beyond the initial flight by pairing young participants with mentors who can guide them through their early flight training journey.

  • Young Eagles Connect is available to youth who have completed a Young Eagles flight and are enrolled in the complimentary Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.

  • The portal facilitates mentorship by enabling students to share their training progress, including coursework and practice test results, with a designated mentor—typically their original Young Eagles pilot or a local EAA chapter member.

  • If the mentor is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), they receive automatic access to the student’s course progress. Non-CFI mentors can request access via EAA channels.

  • The platform is designed to maintain motivation, provide structured guidance, and support continuity from initial exposure to aviation through to potential flight certification.

  • This program builds upon the long-running Young Eagles initiative, which has offered more than 2.5 million free introductory flights to youth aged 8–17 since its inception in 1992.

Statements

  • “The goal of Young Eagles Connect is to have aspiring aviators stay connected, stay inspired, and stay on course,” said David Leiting, EAA Young Eagles program manager. “This connection is an added benefit to Young Eagles who look to discover more through EAA’s programs that are available to follow their initial Young Eagles flight.”

Source: EAA

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Blackshape Aircraft Showcasing Aircraft Solutions at 2025 Sanicole Airshow in Belgium

Belgium – Blackshape Aircraft, a global pioneer in high-performance, fully-composite general aviation and training aircraft, will be showcasing its aircraft at the 45th International Sanicole Airshow, set to take place on 13 & 14 September 2025 at the Sanicole Airfield (Leopoldsburg/Beverlo Airfield) in Limburg, Belgium.

  • Saturday, 13 September (Sunset Airshow): Doors open at 15:00; flight displays from 17:00 to 20:15

  • Sunday, 14 September (Sanicole Airshow): Doors open at 08:00; flying programme runs from 10:00 to 17:30

To learn more about Blackshape Aircraft check out its interview with AFM here.

Source: Blackshape Aircraft
Photo Credit: Blackshape Aircraft

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Saudia Academy Launches New GACA-Approved A&P Maintenance Technician Program in 2025

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Saudia Academy (formerly known as Prince Sultan Aviation Academy), the aviation training arm and full flight simulator training center of the Kingdom’s national carrier Saudia, has highlighted its new self-funded Aviation Maintenance Technician Program aimed at qualifying candidates for licensing as Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) technicians under the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) regulations.

  • Program Overview: A GACA-approved A&P training course designed for candidates seeking certification in aircraft maintenance, covering both airframe and powerplant systems.

  • Program Duration: 24 months with a total of 2,010 training hours:

    • 510 hours in general curriculum

    • 750 hours in airframe curriculum

    • 750 hours in powerplant curriculum

  • Eligibility Criteria – High School Graduates:

    • Minimum age: 18 years

    • Scientific or technical track with GPA ≥ 75%

    • English proficiency: IELTS ≥ 5 / TOEFL ≥ 450 / STEP ≥ 72%

    • QIYAS aptitude score ≥ 72%

    • Must pass an interview, and medical and physical exams

  • Eligibility Criteria – Diploma Holders:

    • Minimum age: 18 years

    • Technical diploma or associate degree post high school

    • GPA ≥ 3.0/5 or 2.0/4

    • Same language and assessment requirements as high school applicants

Source: Saudia Academy

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USA’s Flight Training Industry’s AeroSummit to take Place in Miami in 2026

United States – flight training financial lender Stratus Financial has announced that AeroSummit 2026, its annual flight training industry conference, will be hosted in Miami. This marks a strategic geographic shift for the event, which has quickly gained recognition as a key networking and growth platform for flight schools, certified flight instructors (CFIs), and aviation training professionals.

  • The 2026 edition is expected to feature:

    • Future-focused conference content designed to drive innovation and scale

    • Expanded networking opportunities

    • A philanthropic Silent Auction during the Welcome Reception

    • The return of AeroQuest, a gamified event experience for attendees

Source: Stratus Financial

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