Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

FSANA Opens Registration for 2026 Flight School Operators Conference in San Diego

California, USA – The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) has officially opened registration for its 17th Annual Flight School Operators Conference & Trade Show, which will take place at the Loews Coronado Bay Hotel in San Diego from February 25–27, 2026.

  • The 2026 edition will feature nearly 20 professional sessions across four educational tracks:
    • Safety
    • Vendor Showcase
    • Business of Flight Training
    • CFI/Student Focus
  • FSANA has expanded the conference program with seven new sessions compared to 2025, offering attendees deeper insight into key operational, safety, and business themes shaping the flight training landscape.
  • The event will bring together flight school operators, suppliers, regulators, and training professionals for three days of networking, workshops, and industry collaboration.
  • Core conference objectives include helping training organisations to:
    • Increase profitability through best-practice management
    • Identify new business and growth opportunities
    • Adapt to evolving technology and training standards
    • Improve efficiency in operations and cost control

Source: FSANA

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India’s Regulator Adds Private Hospitals for Pilot Medicals Beginning 15 November 2025

India – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that, effective 15 November 2025, several private hospitals will be authorised to conduct Class 1, 2 and 3 pilot medical examinations for civil aviation personnel—a major shift from the previous reliance largely on military‑airforce medical boards.

  • The new empanelment lets approved private aeromedical centres conduct mandatory medical evaluations for pilots and other aviation‑licence holders.

  • Notable empanelled hospitals include:

    • Apollo Hospitals (Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Indore)

    • Max Healthcare (Delhi)

    • Medanta (Gurugram)

    • Ruby Hall Clinic (Pune)

    • Nanavati Hospital (Mumbai) – authorised specifically for Class 1 initial and re‑initial medicals.

  • The aviation pilots’ association Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) welcomed the move, stating it aligns forward with separating civil and military medical‑evaluation frameworks and with global aviation best practices.

Source: DGCA

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Australia’s Flight Options Announces the Introduction of a Learjet 45 XR into Service

Australia – Flight Options, a Sunshine Coast-based training, charter, and aircraft sales aviation organisation, has announced the introduction of a Learjet 45 XR into charter service, specialising in local and overseas medical retrievals.

The Learjet 45 XR is a high-performance business jet that can carry up to nine passengers and two crew members. It has a maximum range of 3,389 km and a cruising speed of 860 km/h. The Learjet is known for its reliability, efficiency, and versatility, making it a popular choice for business jet travellers. Its spacious, climate-controlled cabin, sumptuous double-club seating, well-stocked galley, and abundant luggage storage space make it a comfortable and convenient option for longer flights.

Steve Padgett OAM, Founder and Managing Director of Flight Options, commented on the fleet expansion: “The launch of our Learjet 45 XR marks an exciting new chapter for Flight Options. By investing in additional aircraft for charter and advanced training with the recently launched new A320 flight simulator, we are reinforcing our commitment to meet growing charter demand by delivering the highest standards in aviation services. We have a small but dedicated crew at Flight Options to provide a personal approach to everything we do.”

Flight Options’ fleet now includes the newly acquired Learjet 45(XR), a Citation X, a Falcon 2000(LX), a Phenom 300, and a Phenom 300E.

About Flight Options (Australia) Pty Ltd
Flight Options is an Australian owned and operated aviation company based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, offering a full range of services including:

  • Advanced Simulation and Training
    • Type Ratings
    • Airline Transport Pilot Rating
    • Multi Crew Cooperation Course
      • APS MCC (subject to regulatory approval)
    • Scenario and LOFT based HFNTS
    • Jet Conversion Course
    • Introduction to Upset Prevention and Recovery Training
  • Aircraft Training
    • Class Rating PA44T Seminole
    • Instrument Rating Training
      • PA44T Seminole
      • Frasca PA44 based simulator
    • Aircraft Charter supported by a fleet of aircraft based at the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, and Essendon Airports
    • Aircraft Management
    • Aircraft Sales by SJP Aviation
    • Aircraft Maintenance by Universal Aircraft Services
    • Fixed Base Operation (FBO) services by the Sunshine Coast Jet Centre

The Sunshine Coast Jet Centre was introduced in 2023 to provide VIP Fixed Base Operations for business aircraft arriving and departing from the Sunshine Coast Airport.

Source: Flight Options

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UK CAA Issues CAP 3181 Detailing Revised NPPL(A) Syllabus and Skill Test Protocol

United Kingdom – The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released an updated regulatory document, CAP 3181, outlining the revised syllabus and Skill Test requirements for the National Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) [NPPL(A)]. The update provides comprehensive guidance for student pilots, instructors, examiners and training organisations following recent regulatory changes.

  • CAP 3181 establishes the official syllabus and regulatory framework for NPPL(A) issuance, applicable to flight schools, instructors and examiners.

  • The document covers:

    • Medical eligibility: Accepts PMD (Pilot Medical Declaration), LAPL, Class 2 or Class 1 medical certificates.

    • Ground examination subjects: Includes Air Law, Human Performance, Meteorology, Navigation, and Aircraft General Knowledge.

    • Theoretical knowledge may be demonstrated through NPPL-specific or Part-FCL exams.

  • The updated Skill Test structure includes five sections:

    • Pre-flight Operations and Departure

    • General Airwork

    • En-route Procedures

    • Approach and Landing Procedures

    • Abnormal and Emergency Procedures

  • All sections must be attempted within six months of training completion, and the test must be passed within six months of the first attempt.

  • Failed sections can be reattempted in further tests, with no limit on total test attempts.

  • The Skill Test must be conducted in the same aircraft type in which flight training was completed: SEP (Land), TMG, or one of three microlight categories (Three-axis, Weightshift, or Powered Parachute).

  • Examiner guidance is included, with detailed tolerances for manoeuvres (e.g., ±150 ft height, ±10° heading, ±15/−5 kt approach speed).

  • The publication also includes a blank Examiner’s Report template for official test documentation.

Check out the full document here.

Source: UK CAA

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