Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

AeroSummit 2025 Soars as Flight Training Industry Rallies Behind Inaugural Event

Nevada, USA – Stratus Financial is proud to celebrate the success of the inaugural AeroSummit, which brought hundreds of flight training professionals together May 21–23, 2025, in Las Vegas. With 42 sponsors, including some of the biggest names in flight training, and 24 exhibitors, the event proved that the flight training community is not only ready—but eager—for a new era of connection and collaboration.

From flight school owners and CFIs to students and vendors, attendees engaged in three days of powerful programming, insightful discussions, and meaningful relationship-building. Hosted at the Wynn Las Vegas and capped off with AeroQuest, a public aviation celebration at Chennault Flying Service, the event marked a historic milestone for the industry.

“This event started as a vision—to create a space where the flight training industry could come together to connect, collaborate, and elevate,” said Anthony Geraci, CEO and Co-Founder of Stratus Financial and the visionary behind AeroSummit. “Seeing this vision brought to life with the support of hundreds of attendees and so many incredible sponsors is deeply humbling. AeroSummit isn’t just an event—it’s a movement. And we’re just getting started.”

Highlights from AeroSummit 2025 included:

  • Nine panel discussions with aviation thought leaders
  • Fifteen collaborative roundtables
  • Five structured networking sessions
  • Engaging Keynote Session with aviation legends, John and Martha King
  • Twenty-four exhibitors showcasing leading aviation technology and tools
  • Two exclusive receptions for high-level networking
  • AeroQuest: A free community day featuring aircraft displays, food trucks, raffles, influencers, and appearances from aviation legends John and Martha King

Stratus Financial extends its deepest thanks to the title sponsors Four Forces and King Schools, the National Association of Flight Instructors for curating the CFI track, and every individual, organization, and exhibitor who helped bring AeroSummit to life.

“The gratitude we feel for this community is impossible to overstate,” added Brandon Martini, COO and Co-Founder, Stratus Financial. “The belief, the enthusiasm, the energy—we felt it in every handshake, every session, every moment. And we can’t wait to build on that momentum heading into AeroSummit 2026.”

Source: AeroSummit
Photo Credit: AeroSummit

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National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) Welcomes New Column By Aviation Educator Brian Schiff

USA — The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) welcomes aviation educator, flight instructor, and airline pilot Brian Schiff to its roster of columnists for its portfolio of publications.

Titled CFI Care, the new educational column will debut on May 28, 2025, in its eMentor newsletter. The monthly column offers bite-sized nuggets of knowledge from aviation educator and NAFI board member Brian Schiff.

Schiff draws from 21,000 hours of flight time and multiple instructor ratings to share techniques, tips, and advice to help make instructors better at their craft. His contagious enthusiasm for teaching and sense of humor makes learning fun and impactful.

Schiff combines humor and storytelling to help explain misunderstood topics in a brief, easy to understand way. “Too many pilots have a fundamental misunderstanding of some basics,” Schiff said. “I want to impart my 40 years of figuring out how to teach them before I forget.”

“We are excited to feature Brian’s new column in NAFI’s eMentor newsletter,” said NAFI Director of Publications and Editor Beth Stanton. “He is equal parts earnest and snarky, which makes his voice both authentic and fun. He’s a great teacher and I can’t wait to learn from him.”

The column will be posted monthly both on the public area of the NAFI website and the member-only area of the platform.

About NAFI
The National Association of Flight Instructors serves flight instructors and training providers, prospective pilots, and the greater aviation industry by providing resources to all flight educators. With a 55-plus year commitment to raising and maintaining the professional standing of instructors in the aviation community, NAFI elevates its members, led by its Code of Ethics. NAFI is the largest association dedicated exclusively to flight instruction, with a membership of more than 8,000 training professionals, which it serves through a monthly magazine, weekly newsletters, and MentorLIVE streamed events, More Right Rudder podcasts, and an annual NAFI Summit.

Source: NAFI
Photo Credit: NAFI

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Babcock Selects Exail to Deliver Flight Simulators for the French Armed Forces under the Mentor 2 Program

France – Exail, a global leader in simulation solutions, announces a new partnership with Babcock France for the renowned Mentor 2 program. Awarded by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces through the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), this 17-year contract will see Exail supplying advanced flight simulation systems to support the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy pilot training.

Fully aligned with the DGA’s stringent technical and pedagogical standards, Exail will design and deliver simulators for the Pilatus PC-7 MKX. The suite includes several interconnected mixed-reality flight training devices equipped with XR headsets, interactive touchscreens, and high-fidelity simulation software. An ejection training simulator will also be delivered to support safe, realistic emergency procedure training. Combining immersive technologies with tactile open-cockpit layouts and customizable scenarios, this solution provides pilots with an autonomous, realistic learning environment. It marks a first-of-its-kind capability in France for military flight training in mixed reality.

The Mentor 2 program is reshaping pilot training with the introduction of the Pilatus PC-7 MKX as the new standard training aircraft. By providing next-generation simulation technologies that bring greater realism, flexibility, and immersion to the training pipeline, Exail is helping to accelerate skill acquisition, improve mission preparedness, and support a more efficient training environment.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Exail as part of the prestigious Mentor 2 program. This strategic partnership allows us to strengthen our expertise and deliver innovative solutions for military training,” said Bruno Mandon, Director Military Aviation Support at Babcock France.

“Being selected for this prestigious program is a powerful recognition of Exail’s expertise in defense aviation training,” said Charles Le Bot, Head of Simulation Activities at Exail. “It confirms our ability to deliver tailored, high-performance solutions that meet the strategic needs of the French Armed Forces. We’re proud to support safer, more effective air defense operations for the forces of tomorrow.”

The simulators will be delivered in line with aircraft deliveries and operated and maintained as part of a full-service contract. Exail’s commitment includes integrated logistics support, upgrades, calibration, and availability services — ensuring maximum readiness and performance throughout the contract’s duration.

About Exail
Exail is a leading high-tech industrial company specializing in cutting-edge robotics, maritime, navigation, aerospace and photonics technologies. With a strong entrepreneurial culture, Exail delivers unrivaled performance, reliability and safety to its civil and defense clients operating in severe environments. From the deep sea to outer space, Exail expands their capabilities with a full range of robust in-house manufactured components, products and systems. Employing a workforce of 2000 people worldwide, the company benefits from a global footprint and conducts its business in over 80 countries. Exail was formed by ECA Group and iXblue joining forces in 2022. It is a subsidiary of Exail Technologies, a family-owned company specialized in high-technology.

Source: Exail
Photo Credit: Exail

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