Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

US based Epic Flight Academy Breaks Ground on Second Aircraft Maintenance Training Academy Facility

FEAM Aero, the largest leading provider of aircraft line maintenance services in the United States, has partnered with Epic Flight Academy to build a new aircraft mechanic training facility at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility took place on April 17, 2023. Attendees included local, state, and federal government officials, representatives from Ohio and Northern Kentucky economic development groups, executives from CVG, FEAM Aero and the Epic Flight Academy.

Demand is high for aircraft mechanic positions in the Cincinnati region. CVG Airport serves more than seven million passengers per year and is one of the fastest-growing cargo airports in the U.S. CVG is the 7th largest cargo airport in North America and is home to Amazon Air’s megahub, as well as DHL Express’ Global Superhub for the Americas. Aircraft maintenance company, FEAM Aero, has a prominent hangar on CVG’s campus and is in the process of building a large second hangar at CVG. FEAM has partnered with Epic Flight Academy to launch mechanic students into their career and fuel cargo operations at the airport.

“The opening of this new school at CVG Airport is a significant step towards our goals of helping to expand the aviation maintenance technician workforce and diversifying the industry,” said Cam Murphy, President, of FEAM Aero. “Working with Epic in conjunction with CVG allows FEAM Aero to provide invaluable hands-on experience to all future AMTs by giving them real-world experiences, working on the various aircrafts that enter our hangars, and the ability to work while in school. FEAM Aero is dedicated in building the AMT community of tomorrow by recruiting, training, and developing the next generation of talented individuals from all backgrounds, with a particular focus on transitioning military personnel, women, and minorities. We are excited to award up to 8 scholarships this inaugural year to those interested in attending Epic Flight Academy’s maintenance school at CVG Airport.”

“Partnering with educational institutions to prepare students for a career in aviation is a priority for us at CVG,” said Candace McGraw, CEO, CVG. “We look forward to welcoming Epic Flight Academy to our campus to complement our strong partnership with FEAM Aero. Together, we will transform lives and unlock new career opportunities for people in our region, all while helping fuel continued aviation economic growth in our region.”

“We are very proud of our FAA-certified aircraft mechanic training,” said Josh Rawlins, COO of Epic Flight Academy. “Our graduates are highly sought after and the knowledge and skills they acquire prepares each of them for rewarding careers. We are excited to be partnering with a company like FEAM Aero at this location.”

Cincinnati Commercial Contracting (CCC) will manage the building design and construction process. When completed, the building will be 32,292 square feet with parking and classroom space to house up to 300 students and staff.

“From the initial phone call in October 2022 to aiming for a completed building in December 2023 remains a very aggressive schedule,” said Jason Manni, Principal and CFO of CCC. “Numerous decisions and approvals had to be made very quickly. CCC is grateful to be a part of this project. We have enjoyed working with Epic Aviation, FEAM Aero and the CVG team on this project to quickly develop a first-class facility.”

The school is expected to be completed by early 2024 with enrollment at the location to commence soon thereafter.

About FEAM Aero

FEAM Aero is the largest leading provider of aircraft line maintenance services in the United States. FEAM Aero has maintenance bases at 52 locations globally, including two hangar facilities, and employs a growing workforce of over 1,500 Aircraft maintenance technicians and engineers. Over the years, FEAM Aero has diversified its MRO portfolio to include line maintenance, technical training, global AOG support, technical support services, and base maintenance. Our full line of services ensures our customers meet their mission and goals and mitigate AOG ground time. FEAM Aero holds EASA/FAA Maintenance Organization Approvals and approvals from several other domestic and international aviation regulatory authorities. 

About CVG Airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) welcomed more than 7.6 million passengers in 2022 representing a 21% increase over 2021. CVG offers the lowest airfares in the region and 50+ nonstop destinations, which now includes nonstop service to London Heathrow (LHR) on British Airways, the airport’s 14th airline. CVG is the 7th largest cargo airport in North America with two powerhouses on campus continuing to drive growth: Amazon Air’s megahub, and DHL Express’ Global Superhub for the Americas. With an annual impact of $6.8 billion on the local economy, the airport drives regional growth and remains a leader in aviation innovation. 

About Epic Flight Academy

Epic Flight Academy’s main campus is located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Established in 1999 by CEO Danny Perna, Epic offers Part 141 pilot training and Part 147 aircraft mechanic training. Epic employs 160+ people and trains hundreds of flight students and aircraft mechanic students each year. The company maintains hiring partnerships with numerous airlines and aviation companies.

Source: Epic Flight Academy Press Release
Photo Credit: Epic Flight Academy

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Textron Names Lisa Atherton As President and CEO of Bell

Textron Inc. announced that Lisa Atherton has been named president & CEO of the Bell segment, effective April 28, 2023. Atherton, most recently the chief operating officer of Bell, succeeds Mitch Snyder, who will be retiring after more than seven years as president & CEO of Bell and nearly 20 years with the company.

Atherton served as president & CEO of Textron Systems from 2017 until January 2023 when she was named COO at Bell. She joined Textron Defense Systems in 2007 and, in 2013, she transitioned to Bell and held a number of leadership positions within Military Programs, including executive vice president, Military Business. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, she served eight years at the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command’s Directorate of Requirements.

Commenting on the transition, Scott C. Donnelly, Textron chairman & CEO, said, “Lisa has done an outstanding job of building strong teams at Bell and Textron Systems in her 16 years with the company and has earned the confidence of our customers. Under her leadership, Bell will continue its strong execution across military and commercial programs and I am confident that she will provide the strategic vision to generate future growth for Bell.

Atherton served as president & CEO of Textron Systems from 2017 until January 2023 when she was named COO at Bell. She joined Textron Defense Systems in 2007 and, in 2013, she transitioned to Bell and held a number of leadership positions within Military Programs, including executive vice president, Military Business. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, she served eight years at the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command’s Directorate of Requirements.

Commenting on the transition, Scott C. Donnelly, Textron chairman & CEO, said, “Lisa has done an outstanding job of building strong teams at Bell and Textron Systems in her 16 years with the company and has earned the confidence of our customers. Under her leadership, Bell will continue its strong execution across military and commercial programs and I am confident that she will provide the strategic vision to generate future growth for Bell.

“I also want to thank Mitch for his leadership. During his tenure, Mitch oversaw the development of new technologies and product innovations, significant wins in Bell’s military business and the expansion of our commercial programs,” Donnelly said.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. 

Source: Textron Press Release
Photo Credit: Textron

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Philippines Aviation Training Group Alpha Aviation Group Maintenance Training Center Welcomes Another Batch of 28

Clark, Philippines based Alpha Aviation Group (AAG) International Center for Aviation Training (AICAT) Maintenance Training Center (MTC) welcomed 28 interns from the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) to its Aviation Maintenance Internship Program (AMIP).

Capt. Napoleon Garcia (AICAT Accountable Manager) and Capt. Vicente Casibang II (AAG Philippines Accountable Manager) shared their encouraging words to the trainees, emphasizing the value of self-improvement and goal-setting to achieve success. “No matter what path you choose, setting your goals and continuously striving to improve yourself by doing what is right and giving your best effort will eventually lead you to success,” Capt. Garcia imparted.

Kevin Dy Tria (AICAT-MTC Head of Training) also extended his warmest greetings to the trainees. “Knowledge is the lifeblood of success. It is one of the things that can propel you forward in your chosen career,” he shared.

The AICAT-MTC Aviation Maintenance Internship Program offers a comprehensive training curriculum that is designed to help students explore a wide range of topics and gain hands-on experience in aircraft maintenance. AICAT-MTC also delivers Flight Dispatcher Internship Program (FDIP), Aeronautical Engineering Internship Program (AEIP) and Supplemental Proficiency Program (SPP).

Source: Alpha Aviation Group Press Release
Photo Credit: Alpha Aviation Group

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Embry-Riddle Receives Nearly Half-Million Grant from FAA to Cultivate Aviation Workforce With Expanded High School Training

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has received a $485,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help meet growing job demand in the aviation and aerospace industries by providing free training for high school students hoping to become pilots, “drone” operators and aerospace engineers.

“Embry-Riddle is in the perfect position to help increase the pilot workforce, and to continue improving the quality of this workforce,” said Dr. Carolina Anderson, associate professor of Aeronautical Science and principal investigator on the project.

According to The Boeing Company’s Pilot and Technician Outlook, there will be a need for 610,000 new aviation maintenance technicians and 602,000 new pilots over the next 20 years.

This FAA-backed initiative, led by Embry-Riddle’s College of Aviation and Gaetz Aerospace Institute, seeks to address that shortage, in part, by developing online ground schools in private pilot and remote pilot operations as well as course offerings in Aerospace Engineering. The project will defray the considerable cost to high schools in providing aviation education, as well as incorporate desktop flight-training devices, small drones, 3D printers and virtual reality systems. Students will also earn college credits, high school honors credits and/or industry certifications.

“The aviation industry is at a crossroads. The workforce needs are unprecedented,” said Dr. Colleen Conklin, assistant professor and executive director of Embry-Riddle’s Gaetz Aerospace Institute. “We believe programs such as this will directly feed the aviation workforce pipeline.”

The program builds on work by the Gaetz Aerospace Institute, which in the past two years has provided programs to nearly 200 middle and high schools, primarily in Florida. The institute offers dual-enrollment courses in aviation, engineering and uncrewed systems, as well as the academy’s SMART@ER curriculum focused on courses and outreach in space, manufacturing, aerospace/aviation, robotics and technology.

The FAA grant will also allow Embry-Riddle to share its education model throughout the country, starting with at least 10 more high schools.

“We are currently recruiting schools to participate and take advantage of this tremendous opportunity,” Conklin added.

Embry-Riddle’s Special VFR Productions will also produce “cinema-quality” videos with 3D motion graphics, special effects and professional voiceover for the curriculum, building off of the university’s “proven experience in developing aviation education and flight training tools,” according to the grant proposal.

“This project combines my two passions: aviation and education,” said Anderson, who began flying gliders at age 14 under her father’s supervision. “Having the opportunity to expose high school students all over the country to STEM and aviation is what is most exciting to me.”

Also involved in the project are Michele Halleran, professor of Aeronautical Science; Dr. Ken Byrnes, associate professor, chair of the Flight Department and assistant dean of the College of Aviation; Dr. Robert Thomas, Samantha Bowyer and Sam Harris, all assistant professors of Aeronautical Science; Kate Barnette, assistant professor and director of education programs for GAI; and Dave Moorefield, assistant professor and GAI director of flight operations.

“As one of the world’s largest and most respected universities specializing in aviation and aerospace,” the proposal states, “[Embry-Riddle] will leverage its collective knowledge and expertise to create and deliver state-of-the-art curriculum and education tools.

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle educates 32,750+ students at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, at approximately 110 Worldwide Campus locations and through online degree programs. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report named Embry-Riddle Worldwide the nation’s No. 2 provider of online bachelor’s degree programs. The university has ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in this category every year since 2016. Our residential campuses hold multiple Top 10 rankings. All of our campuses have been ranked Best for Veterans.

Source: ERAU Press Release
Photo Credit: ERAU (shown as meta image)

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The Urgent Need to Address the Pilot Shortage in Corporate Aviation

Corporate Pilot Rodney Gervais, who works as Captain for Honeywell, shared his thoughts on the pilot shortage in Corporate Aviation. Check out his short article below entitled “The Urgent Need to Address the Pilot Shortage in Corporate Aviation”.

“Corporate aviation is facing a major challenge in recent years – the shortage of qualified, experienced pilots. According to the National Business Aviation Association, over 15,000 pilots are expected to retire between 2021 and 2031, leaving a massive gap that needs to be filled. This issue is compounded by the fact that the number of pilots being produced annually is not enough to keep up with the increasing demand. The FAA reported that only 4,400 pilots received ATP certification in 2019, which is significantly lower than the 6,100 pilots needed by US airlines that same year. Additionally, the number of pilots holding ATP certificates has remained stagnant at around 160,000 since 2015, despite the increased demand.

This shortage of pilots is not just an issue for airlines, but for the corporate aviation sector as well. The same report by Boeing that predicted the global need for 804,000 pilots between 2020 and 2040 also noted that the demand for corporate pilots is expected to grow by 5% annually. The shortage of pilots has already had a significant impact on the industry. Companies are struggling to attract and retain talent, as pilots are choosing to go to airlines for better quality of life, pay, and schedule. This disparity in pay and benefits, coupled with the shortage of pilots, has made it challenging for corporate aviation departments to retain experienced pilots.

The trend of new pilots choosing to go to airlines as soon as possible after qualifying is making it difficult for corporate aviation departments to compete for talent. Many corporate aviation departments invest in initial training schools only to have their pilots switch employers for better pay and schedules. Additionally, the cost of paying for training to fill pilot vacancies can be a significant financial burden for companies.

The shortage of pilots in corporate aviation has far-reaching implications, including safety and regulatory concerns. The shortage of pilots also means that experienced pilots are leaving the industry, leaving companies with a dwindling pool of talent to draw from. This, in turn, can lead to lower quality of service, higher costs, and increased risk to passengers.

In conclusion, the pilot shortage in corporate aviation is a significant challenge that requires immediate attention. Companies must adapt to the changing industry to remain competitive and retain talent. This can include offering better pay, flexible schedules, and improved working conditions. The long-term solution lies in investing in pilot training programs to ensure a steady supply of qualified pilots in the future. As the industry continues to evolve, it is imperative that we address the pilot shortage to ensure the safety and success of corporate aviation.”

Source: Rodney Gervais

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9 Interns Complete Alpha Aviation Group Philippines Maintenance Training Program

Nine (9) trainees who successfully finished the Aviation Maintenance Internship Program (AMIP) were formally sent-off by the AAG International Center for Aviation Training (AICAT) Maintenance Training Center (MTC) on 17 March 2023. This is the 4th batch of trainees since the program was started. Mr. Mark Daniel Bauzon (AICAT Aircraft Planning Engineer) in his welcome remarks expressed AAG’s heartfelt congratulations to the interns for their hard work and dedication during their training. Mr. Kevin Dy Tria (AICAT-MTC Head of Training) handed out the certificates of completion. In his remarks, Tria recounted his personal journey starting also as an intern and encouraged the trainees to continue building on the knowledge and skills they acquired during the program.

The AICAT-MTC AMIP is designed to provide a comprehensive, hands-on training experience for students with an interest in aviation maintenance. During the program, students undergo rigorous training in areas such as aircraft maintenance, avionics, and aircraft systems. The program also exposes students to the latest technology and equipment used in the aviation industry.

Source: AAGP Press Release
Photo Credit: AAGP

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Thomas Kube Appointed International Aerospace Accrediting Commission First Executive Director

The International Aerospace Accrediting Commission (IAAC) at its inaugural meeting announced the appointment of Thomas A. Kube as its executive director. Kube will oversee and lead the new organization in its mission to nurture quality in aerospace and aviation career education schools in the United States and internationally.

Kube’s responsibilities are to administer the IAAC and guide the application of its accrediting standards and processes. The IAAC is uniquely positioned to have a significant and long-term impact on the quality of training for pilots, aviation mechanics and other aerospace careers. Kube is tasked with the Commission’s strategic goal to achieve recognition from the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) of the U.S. Department of Education. Recognition will benefit IAAC accredited schools and help with access to tuition assistance for the students they serve. The flight training market consists of over 1,600 schools in the U.S., which produce nearly 65% of the pilots practicing in commercial aviation.

Robert Rockmaker, president and CEO of the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA), stated, “This is a historic time for flight training and we at FSANA wholeheartedly support this endeavor as a needed supplement to the rigorous oversight currently afforded to aviation. We support his appointment and wish Tom and the IAAC all the best.”

Thomas A. Kube has a long and established career in higher education accreditation and certification. He previously served in executive director and CEO capacities at the Accrediting Commission of Career School and College of Technology (ACCSCT), the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), and the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA). Kube was instrumental in helping launch the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) affiliated with the American Trucking Associations and served as its chair. Prior, he was a transportation lobbyist of the American Automobile Association (AAA). He holds an MBA degree from George Mason University and a Bachelor degree from Colorado State University.

“I’m humbled and honored to be selected to lead the IAAC and participate in this exciting moment in aviation training,” said Kube when approached.

About IAAC
The International Aerospace Accrediting Commission (IAAC) was founded in February 2023 for the purpose of enhancing and nurturing quality programming in aerospace and aviation career education schools in the United States and internationally. It is the only accrediting organization dedicated to educational improvement in the aerospace and aviation industry for post-secondary aero-based, independent organizations. The Commission administrative offices are located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the executive director’s offices are in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Source: FSANA
Photo Credit: FSANA (shown as meta image)

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