Market Intelligence: Indian Subcontinent

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – FTD.aero

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Filip Witczak – Product Manager at FTD.aero, a Non-Motion Flight Training Devices Manufacturer based in Poland with expertise in designing and manufacturing flight simulators since 2009.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Background and Growth: FTD.aero, founded in 2009 by Filip Witczak, Cpt. Marcin Ambroziak and Krzysztof (Chris) Kimnes, began as a passion-driven startup in Poland and has grown into a 30-person team specializing in non-motion flight simulators. The company develops Boeing and Airbus-based simulators, offering both type-specific and type-representative devices for global clients, including airlines, flight schools, and universities.
  • Key Products and Innovations: FTD.aero provides EASA and FAA-compliant simulators, including the B737 MAX/NG and A320 models. Devices are tailored to client needs, offering high-fidelity cockpits with many original components for immersive, cost-effective training compared to Level D full-flight simulators. FTD.aero uses ARINC and CANBUS for compatibility with aviation standards and increased reliability. Their in-house engineering allows for full flexibility in configuration and future upgrades of each device built by them.
  • Partnerships and Projects: FTD.aero recently partnered with South Korean airline T’way Air to deliver a B738 simulator convertible to a B73M model to adapt to the airline’s changing fleet. Other successful long-term partnerships include LOT Polish Airlines, Urbe Aero Flight Academy (Italy) and VDL Aviation (Poland), reflecting strong customer satisfaction and trust.
  • Expansion and Market Outlook: The company is targeting international markets, including the booming Indian market, to meet increasing pilot training demands driven by aircraft orders and airline growth. Filip sees opportunities in advanced technologies like AI, VR, and AR to enhance pilot training and address instructor shortages.
  • Challenges and Vision: Filip highlighted regulatory delays as a challenge for adopting advanced training technologies and emphasized the need for updated standards. FTD.aero remains focused on providing tailored, high-quality solutions, emphasizing customer partnerships, long-term support, and cost-effective training for a global market.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

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Diamond Aircraft Received DA42 Aircraft Order from Air India

Austria – Training aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft is delighted to announce a deal with Air India for the acquisition of three new twin-engine DA42-VI aircraft – with an option for six more – for Air India’s new Flight Training Organization (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra. This order marks the start of Diamond Aircraft’s cooperation with India’s flag carrier airline. Delivery of the first plane is anticipated in summer 2025.

“We are thrilled to play such a vital role in Air India’s drive to become entirely self-sufficient in training new pilots for its expanding fleet. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership,” said Jane Wang, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Flight Ops at Diamond Aircraft Austria.

“The DA42-VI is designed to make transitioning from single- to multi-engine aircraft training much easier, and Air India’s future cadets will benefit from this. The glass cockpit will help prepare them for their future careers flying large commercial jets,” continued Wang.

The four-seat DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s industry-leading, twin-engine piston plane. Ideal for pilot training, its jet-fuel powerplant generates fuel savings of up to 50% compared to conventional AVGAS-powered twins, and its panoramic canopy provides excellent visibility during flight maneuvers.

“We are excited to partner with Diamond Aircraft as we set up India’s first airline-owned and operated cadet pilot school. We see this as the beginning of a partnership with Diamond to support Air India’s vision to strengthen the aviation training ecosystem in India and become self-reliant,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.

Air India’s pilot school will be officially opened in the second half of 2025 as South Asia’s largest flight school, training around 180 pilots each year. It will be equipped with digitally enabled classrooms, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The DA42 will come into play as cadets progress to multi-engine flight training.

About Diamond Aircraft’s Flight Training Solution
Diamond’s dedication to flight training has shaped its product line of modern fuel-efficient aircraft, each with a specific training application in mind. With its complete line of piston aircraft including a dedicated flight training concept with Single Engine Piston (DA40 NG, DA40 XLT) and Multi Engine Piston (DA42-VI) trainers, along with type-specific flight training simulators and proprietary jet-fuel engines, Diamond Aircraft is the only sole source provider in the flight training market.

Source: Diamond Aircraft
Photo Credit: Diamond Aircraft

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Flight School Management Software Solutions Provider, Private-Radar, Reflects on Growth and Impact in 2024

Madrid, Spain – headquartered Private-Radar, a global provider of aviation training management solutions, marked its 10th anniversary in 2024, showcasing significant achievements in automation, safety, and efficiency within the pilot training industry. The company supports over 120 aviation training institutions globally, with key milestones highlighting its growth, innovation, and social impact.

  • 2024 Highlights:
    • Supported 70,000 users with its Flight School Management System.
    • Managed 820,000 bookings and recorded 510,000 flight hours.
    • Installed 700 Flight-Trackers in aircraft worldwide.
  • Solution Improvements:
    • Launched over 30 new features and updates, including an 80% redesign of the Schedule page for improved user experience and performance.
  • Company Expansion:
    • Partnered with 30+ new training institutions across 12 countries, with new markets in Kazakhstan, Romania, Ireland, and Cyprus.
    • Expanded its team to 18 staff members.
  • Event Participation:
    • Las Vegas FSANA (USA)
    • Berlin Pilot-Expo (Germany)
    • Friedrichshafen AERO (Germany)
    • Cascais EATS (Portugal)
    • Vancouver ATAC (Canada)
  • Social Responsibility:
    • Partnered with UK charity Wings for Warriors to provide its solutions free of charge, supporting wounded service members in professional pilot training.
    • Continued contributions to global charities including UNICEF, Oxfam, and Action Against Hunger.

About Private-Radar
Private-Radar, based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Community of Madrid, Spain, offers a flexible and user-friendly Flight School Management System and Aircraft Tracking System. Private-Radar enables pilot training centers of all sizes to efficiently manage every aspect of flight and ground training. Our solutions are made for students, instructors, and staff giving your organization full control of all training, administrative, and finance information. Private-Radar will allow you to simplify complex tasks such as scheduling flight and ground lessons, following student progress, reporting, invoicing, and keeping track of aircraft maintenance. You will always be compliant and ready for audits.

Source: Private-Radar
Photo Credit: Private-Radar

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Simnest Aviation

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Balázs Herendi – CEO of Simnest Aviation – a simulator manufacturer based in Hungary, focused on designing and manufacturing professional FSTDs.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Evolution and Achievements: Simnest Aviation, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hungary, specializes in designing and manufacturing professional flight simulation training devices (FSTDs). The company has installed multiple simulators globally, achieving milestones such as introducing the first APS MCC training in Romania.
  • Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships: Simnest collaborates with key customers like the Danish Center Air Pilot Academy, Portuguese International Flight Academy, Norwegian Redflight Aviation, fostering long-term partnerships. It recently expanded its global footprint by partnering with Avion as its exclusive sales and service partner for the APAC region, aiming for broader international growth.
  • Innovative Training Solutions: The company integrates its expertise with the Simnest Pilot Academy to enhance understanding of ATO operations. Simnest devices are designed to optimize pilot training by offering cost-effective, high-fidelity, type-representative fixed-base simulators suitable for APS MCC and MPL programs.
  • Industry Trends and Challenges: Balázs highlighted trends such as increased reliance on type-representative devices, the growing adoption of APS MCC courses, and the use of AI, VR, and simulated ATC environments. He emphasized the industry’s challenge of balancing pilot demand with maintaining training quality amid a global pilot shortage.
  • Commitment to Safety: Simnest Aviation prioritizes safety by providing realistic training environments for cadets transitioning to jet-based aircraft. It also supports customers with end-to-end services, from device manufacturing to certification and operational documentation, offering a seamless experience for flight training organizations.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

To stay up to date and get notified about all of the latest episodes from AFM you can follow us through the below platforms:

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Air India Orders 34 Trainer Aircraft for its New Flight School

  •  Air India has placed an order for 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft
  • Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2025, strengthening Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has placed an order for 34 trainer aircraft as it prepares to start training of cadet pilots at South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) coming up in Amravati, Maharashtra by the second half of 2025, post regulatory approvals.

The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft in the United States and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in Austria.

The FTO is a leap forward in Air India’s commitment to bolster its training infrastructure as part of its Vihaan.AI transformation program and cultivate a pipeline of pilots as it expands its fleet, becoming self-reliant.

The trainer aircraft, due for delivery starting 2025, are equipped with glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems and Jet A1 engines that will ensure advanced training for aspiring pilots.

The FTO is coming up at Amravati’s Belora airport and will target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year.

“The new FTO is a strategic move to exponentially expand our training infrastructure and our commitment to building a self-reliant ecosystem of qualified pilots for both Air India and the Indian aviation industry. With this order of 34 trainer aircraft to support South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation, we are delighted to be playing a part in building the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and to support the government’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat,”said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.

As part of its commitment to invest in aviation training, Air India opened its new Aviation Training Academy, spread over 600,000 sq ft, the largest in South Asia, in Gurugram. It is also the first airline in India to announce the setting up of an FTO that will complement Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years.

At the FTO in Amravati, Air India is developing a state-of-the-art training institute over 10 acres, with digitally enabled classrooms at par with global academies, hostels, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The FTO is curated to deliver best-in-class training with high safety standards.

Source: Air India

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