Market Intelligence: -Investments and Acquisitions
South East Asian Airline Considers Partnership and Investment into Flight Schools in Line with Aircraft Order
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Spartan Education Group Expands Reach with Acquisition of Illinois Aviation Academy
Spartan Education Group, LLC (“Spartan”), a leading provider of aviation education headquartered in Chicago, announced today the acquisition of Illinois Aviation Academy, Inc. (“IAA”), a prominent flight school located west of Chicago at DuPage County Airport (“KDPA”). This acquisition furthers Spartan’s efforts to address the ongoing national pilot shortage in the United States.
According to Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook 2023-2042, the aviation industry is facing unprecedented challenges with a shortage of pilots and aviation mechanics. Spartan is committed to distinguishing itself as a source of top talent for employers in the U.S. aviation industry. The acquisition of IAA expands one of Spartan’s core offerings, providing FAA approved Part 141 flight training.
Founded over 30 years ago by Robert Werderich, IAA is a well-established flight school in the Chicagoland area. “We’ve built a great flight school, but now is the time to take IAA to the next level. Spartan brings resources and expertise to accelerate IAA’s growth and enable more students to prepare for an exciting career in aviation,” said Werderich.
IAA’s unwavering dedication to continuous training for students and staff has earned accolades, including the 2018 City Brilliance in Business award from West Chicago. The institution has secured the title of Distinguished and Outstanding Flight School five times, most recently in 2022, and has received five Distinguished Flight Instructor awards, the latest in 2023, from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (“AOPA”). Adding to its impressive list of achievements, IAA is poised for induction into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame in October 2023. These distinctions align with Spartan’s commitment to delivering excellent education and training to its students.
Beyond training, IAA has been deeply committed to community involvement. Werderich highlighted the importance of giving back, stating, “Community involvement has been a backbone of IAA from the beginning.” The school has actively supported aviation youth programs in West Chicago, contributing to organizations like The Ninety-Nines, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Explorer Scouts, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Tuskegee NEXT.
Rob Polston, CEO of Spartan Education Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, saying, “This marks a pivotal moment for Spartan. With Illinois Aviation joining our family, we are expanding access and strengthening our commitment to shaping the next generation of pilots. Together, we will continue to address the pilot shortage and provide the industry with aviation professionals.” The acquisition is expected to enhance Spartan’s capabilities, broaden its training offerings, and reinforce its position as a leading institution in aviation education.
About Spartan Education Group
Spartan Education Group, LLC (SEG), headquartered in Chicago IL, acquired Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in 2012. Spartan College, established in 1928, has trained over 100,000 pilots and aviation technicians at its four campuses located in the following areas: Tulsa OK, Los Angeles and Riverside CA, and Denver CO. Additionally, SEG owns McAir Aviation flight school in Broomfield CO.
About Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA)
Located in West Chicago IL at DuPage County Airport (KDPA), the Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA) has been training pilots for three decades. Today, IAA’s training facility spans 30,000 square feet, and houses a fleet of over twenty-five aircraft, including the Cessna 172 and the advanced Cirrus SR-22. IAA provides FAA approved Part 141 flight training.
Source: Spartan
Photo Credit: Spartan
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Global Pilot Training Group, BAA Training, Unveils EUR 30 Million Pilot Training Center near Paris
On September 28th, 2023 global pilot training group BAA Training held the opening ceremony of its brand-new pilot training facility in France, located close to Paris-Orly Airport. This expansion project was primarily inspired by collaboration with Transavia France and required a 30 million EUR investment. The full flight simulator training center, offering simulator WET and DRY lease services, is projected to train at least 2000 pilots annually on average.
Marijus Ravoitis, CEO of BAA Training, stated: “Today marks a milestone in the BAA Training journey as we proudly open our new, already fourth simulator training center. Amidst the aviation industry facing the challenges of a pilot shortage, the timing couldn’t be better for us to establish this facility. We remain confident in our commitment to meet and exceed industry needs, shaping the future of aviation.”
Being near Paris-Orly Airport, the second-largest airport serving Paris after Charles de Gaulle Airport, as well as the 11th busiest airport in Europe, will provide BAA Training with networking opportunities with airlines and other aviation-related businesses, leading to potential partnerships and clients. In addition to catering to Transavia’s needs.
Olivier Mazzucchelli, CEO of Transavia France, said by way of compliment: “BAA Training and Transavia France share the same DNA: safety first and efficient operations with a fast-growing, entrepreneurial and agile mindset. BAA Training demonstrated its understanding of our needs from day one to support our growing and challenging training plan on B737NG and from Q3 2023 – on A320neo.”
Currently, the facility accommodates three full-flight simulators (B747-400 and two B737 NGs), and the fourth – A320neo – will be ready for training at the beginning of November. In 2024-2025, two more full-flight simulators will be added. Other equipment to enhance pilot training includes the A320/321 and B737 Door Trainers, A320/321 Cabin Crew Emergency Evacuation Trainer, A320/B737 Slide, Real Fire Fighting Trainer, and B737 FTD. Moreover, A320 FTD Level 1 and B737 NG Level 2 are on their way and will be installed by the end of the year.
BAA Training is open to onboarding more customers to train at BAA Training France, along with offering its partners worldwide a broader range of training locations from now on. Vytautas Ledakas, Managing Director of BAA Training France, offered praise of the cooperation: “I want to thank Transavia France for the trust placed in us as an organization and for recognizing our dedication to excellence in training. This partnership underscores our shared values and commitment to setting new benchmarks. Together, we will continue to innovate, adapt, and lead in this dynamic industry.”
BAA Training also has training facilities in Lithuania, Spain, and Vietnam and is actively expanding with ambitious projects on a global scale. The BAA Training consultancy center in India, New Delhi, is already operational, with a dedicated team in place and operations underway. Additional locations are also being considered for future expansion.
BAA Training is part of the Avia Solutions Group family, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, with a fleet of 192 aircraft. The group also provides a range of aviation services, including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and various associated services. Supported by 11,500 highly skilled aviation professionals, the group operates in 68 countries worldwide.
Source: BAA Training
Photo Credit: BAA Training