Market Intelligence: Indian Subcontinent

Indian Flight Training Group Chimes Aviation Academy Expands Fleet with Purchase of 4 Additional Aircraft in 2024

Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam and Indian flight training group Chimes Aviation Academy have announced the purchase of four (04) P2010 TDI aircraft, powered by the Continental CD170 engine. This new acquisition will allow Chimes Aviation Academy to enhance its pilot training and provide students with a modern platform.

Chimes Aviation Academy is one of the largest flying training organisations in India. With 2 airbases, 22 aircraft, full in-house maintenance, 600+ alumni, 144 cadets trained under the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, CAA has established itself as the premium FTO in India with over 16 years of flying excellence. With an additional 90 aircraft on order, expected to be operational by 2030, this expansion will strengthen CAA’s market share and enhance its ability to meet the growing demand for qualified pilots.

About the P2010 TDI

The “Twenty-Ten” is equipped with advanced avionics based on the state of the art Garmin G1000 Nxi, enhancing the mission accomplishment through Electronic Stability & Protection and Synthetic Vision, significant safety features when flying over the Alps region and during IFR training typical missions of the ATO.

The P2010 airframe, with its wide composite fuselage and the all-metal wing and stabilator, has proven to be the perfect platform to match the CD-170 engine efficiency, combining the easiness of the Single Lever Power Control engine management to an exceptional fuel economy: the aircraft offers an outstanding fuel burn that ranges from just 4.5 USG/hr (17 litres/hr) at 55% power, to 7 USG/hr (27 litres/hr) at 75% power. Nevertheless, the engine provides a constant 91% maximum continuous power up to 10,000ft and a maximum operating altitude of 18,000ft, allowing the P2010 TDI to definitely “soar higher”.

More notably the dual FADEC powerplant grants extremely low operating costs and emissions, and the use of Jet Fuels or Sustainable Aviation Fuel. SAF is already available at many airports throughout Europe which means that up to 80% of net CO2 emissions can be saved by its utilization. And with a range beyond 1,200 nm and an endurance on excess of 12 hours, the P2010 Tdi is the perfect choice not only for Flight Training Organizations (which can count on a single refueling for a whole training-day), but for private mobility too.

TECNAM, which produces the most complete, fuel efficient and less emitting fleet (both single and twin engine) for Flight Training Organization, is constantly committed to provide the most achievable and sustainable solutions towards a greener future and successful business for its valuable clients.

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Tecnam, a respected leader in aircraft manufacturing. The order of four Tecnam P2010 aircraft reflects our commitment to enhancing our training capabilities. With Tecnam’s advanced technology and safety features, we aim to provide our cadets with a quality learning experience,” said Y N Sharma, CEO, Chimes Aviation Academy.

Walter Da Costa, TECNAM’s Chief Sales Officer said: “We are delighted to partner with Chimes Aviation Academy and contribute to their growth. India is an important market for Tecnam and we are striving for excellence to meet the demand of many pilots from the major airlines in the country. Our P2010 Tdi is a unique solution in the market, offering reliability, cost control, intelligent training and low emissions. Together with Chimes Aviation Academy, we are proud to innovate the flight training paradigm in India.”

About Chimes Aviation Academy
Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) is one of India’s leading DGCA approved Flying Training Organisations (FTO), to provide comprehensive flying training for aspiring pilots and flying enthusiasts. Established in June 2008, CAA has flown more than 1,40,000 hours till date. Located in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh, CAA operates from two airbases- Dhana & Neemuch, with a diverse fleet of training aircraft, world class infrastructure, and experienced faculty.

About TECNAM; “Quality Aircraft since 1948”
Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and one of the world’s leading piston aircraft manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, the company is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates two subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, to serve and support the needs of local Tecnam owners and operators. Tecnam designs and manufactures a wide range of aircraft for personal use, commercial operations, business travel, flight training, surveillance, law enforcement and other specialised applications.

Source: Tecnam
Photo Credit: Tecnam

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Aeroplanned in 2024

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series AFM’s Customer Success & Business Development Manager Agata Marszalek speaks with Jen Liddle – Founder and CEO at Aeroplanned – a leading, cloud-based platform that provides flight schools visibility of the future so they can convert complex data into clear, meaningful insights to enable highly effective decision making.

The conversation covers:

  • Background and Company Overview: Jen Liddle trained as a pilot and instructor, founded Aeroplanned to address inefficiencies in flight training management, providing a cloud-based resource planning software that enhances visibility and decision-making for flight schools.
  • Partnerships and Growth: Aeroplanned has recently expanded its collaborations with multiple flight schools globally, CAE, New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA), Kilo Charlie Aviation, BAA Training, and various schools in Malaysia and India, highlighting the increasing demand for improved training management solutions.
  • Pilot Demand Insights: Jen discussed the fluctuating demand for pilots across regions, noting a strong demand projected in markets like India while the U.S. shows signs of a slowdown. She emphasized the role of airlines in creating their own training academies to ensure a steady supply of qualified pilots.
  • Trends in Pilot Training: There’s a growing need for data and transparency in pilot training, driven by the expectations of the new generation of pilots. Flight training organizations are shifting from recreational to professional training, increasing the demand for detailed progress tracking.
  • Safety and Efficiency Improvements: Aeroplanned aims to enhance the safety and consistency of pilot training by ensuring students receive well-paced, timely training, which is crucial for maintaining high safety standards and reducing the need for remedial training.

For more information:

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US Aviation Training Group International Aero Academy Expands Presence in India

Lakeland, Florida, United States headquartered aviation and pilot training group International Aero Academy, which was established in 2017 initially focusing on accelerated pilot training but has since expanded to include aircraft maintenance technician training, on-demand charter services, and an in-house FAA Part 145 repair station, has shared that it has expanded its presences in India with new office locations in six major cities:

  • Mumbai
  • Delhi
  • Pune
  • Bengaluru
  • Chennai
  • Kolkata

IAA started with just 8 aircraft and now operates operates a fleet of 26 aircraft including Tecnam P2008, P2006T and Cessna 172 and 152 aircraft. Currently IAA has around 100 to 120 pilots in training at any one time.

Source: IAA

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