Market Intelligence: North America

Global Pilot Training Group Skyborne Hosts U.S. Navy Blue Angels at its Vero Beach, US Campus

Skyborne, a global pilot training group which operates flight training bases in the United Kingdom and the United States, hosted the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at Vero Beach Airshow held on May 3-5, 2024.

The Flight Demonstration Squadron once again parked on the Skyborne ramp, joined by VIP guests. Vero Beach Regional Airport welcomed over 150,000 aviation enthusiasts and spectators.

Lee Woodward, CEO, Skyborne, says: “We’re really proud to be a silver sponsor of the Vero Beach Airshow. Since Skyborne opened its US base three years ago, supporting our community has been a cornerstone of our mission. The airshow, dedicated to honoring our armed forces past and present while fostering a love for aviation among future generations, aligns perfectly with our values.”

In addition to supporting airshow activity, Skyborne had its own stand available for visitors to stop by and learn more about the exciting working environment and job opportunities available at one of the world’s leading flight schools.

About Skyborne
Skyborne Airline Academy is a modern airline training academy based at Vero Beach, Florida, United States, and Gloucestershire Airport in the United Kingdom. Established by industry experts, Skyborne brings a fresh approach to airline pilot training.  Founders Tom Misner (chairman) and Lee Woodward (CEO) have unsurpassed experience in commercial aviation, education and training. It is their vision to create a training environment where the highest standard of teaching, safety and relevant airline-style training is maintained, and interactive learning is encouraged. Using a combination of tried and tested methods and the latest technology to assess competence, suitability, aptitude and resilience, Skyborne aims to recruit the very best candidates to minimize additional training, reduce failure rates and provide airlines with better pilots and cabin crew. Skyborne is proud to hold close relationships with the world’s leading airlines, offering opportunities for trainees as part of British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy, the Propel Flight Academy by Delta and the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme, among others.

Source: Skyborne
Photo Credit: Skyborne

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US Flight Training Group Hillsboro Aero Academy Offers Extended Training Opportunity for European Students

Oregon, United States based Hillsboro Aero Academy (HAA), a U.S.-based leading provider of helicopter and airplane pilot career training, shared that HAA can offer European pilot students additional employment opportunities in the U.S. supported by its F-1 visa arrangement for its joint EASA/FAA program. This unique program allows European students to gain the crucial additional flight hours required for their training while also being employed in the U.S. for up to 23 months.

In August 2023 HAA together with Austrian-based training organization RotorSky, received approval to conduct professional airplane pilot training in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. The school launched its successful joint FAA/EASA helicopter program in 2020; with the approval for airplane training, HAA is the only flight school in the U.S. with comprehensive EASA certification for both airplane and helicopter pilots.

With the EASA approval, HAA is able to offer students the opportunity to earn both FAA and EASA professional pilot licenses and ratings in one location, under one program. Program graduates will be prepared to pursue airline pilot employment across the globe. Combined with the school’s F-1 visa status, the program enables European students to continue building the flight hours they need and gain valuable experience as Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) while residing in the U.S. for up to 23 months after program completion.

All flight training takes place at HAA’s Hillsboro, OR campus. Students in the program will complete all ratings in HAA’s Professional Pilot Program (including the Certified Flight Instructor Instrument and Multi-Engine Instructor ratings), the EASA Commercial (CPL), EASA Multi-Engine Piston Instrument Rating (MEP IR), as well as full credit towards EASA Airline Transport Pilot (ATPL) Theory. A graduate from this program will be ready to fly commercially in the U.S. and will need only to complete the Multi- Crew Cooperation training (MCC) and the respective type-rating to fly line-service in Europe and all other EASA license-accepting countries worldwide.

In April 2024 training aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced the purchase of five Archer TX and five Pilot 100i aircraft for Hillsboro Aero Academy, a global leader in airplane and helicopter pilot training. The first delivery of these aircraft is scheduled for early 2027.

Source: Hillsboro Aero Academy
Photo Credit: Hillsboro Aero Academy

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Flight School Management Software Solution Provider Flight Schedule Pro Announces 2024 Appointment for Chief People Officer

Flight Schedule Pro, the North American headquartered provider of cloud-based business management software for flight schools, universities, flying clubs, and career pilot training centers around the globe, announced it has Becky Kowall as Chief People Officer.

Kowall brings over 23 years of extensive human resources leadership to Flight Schedule Pro, having previously worked with high growth technology companies, professional services firms, and organizations undergoing rapid growth and transformation. In her new role, Kowall will lead Flight Schedule Pro’s global People Operations strategy, with a focus on attracting top talent, building high-performing teams, and creating a people-centric culture to support the company’s continued expansion and success.

“In human resources, we have the honor of strengthening the organization as a whole by empowering its people“, Kowall says. “My top priority is building high-performance teams and cultivating and supporting highly engaged leaders who enable team members to take on new challenges, learn and grow their careers at Flight Schedule Pro.”

“Flight Schedule Pro has an incredible growth trajectory, ” Kowall said. “With that journey comes the opportunity and responsibility to cultivate an industry-leading employee experience that reflects Flight Schedule Pro’s mission and core values while also driving real business value. I’m excited to help bring that vision to life during such an exciting stage in the company’s growth journey.”

Prior to joining Flight Schedule Pro, Kowall served as Vice President of Human Resources at several high-growth technology companies, where she spearheaded scalable HR programs and practices to support rapid workforce expansion, including growing headcount by 61% in one year. She has deep expertise in optimizing teams, career pathing, and positioning companies as an employer of choice. Kowall has also navigated organizations through major milestones like M&A transactions, IPO readiness, and successful acquisitions.

“Becky has been making outstanding contributions to our executive team, true to her passion and her experience driving the people strategy at fast-growing tech companies,” said Nick Wegner, CEO of Flight Schedule Pro. “Her strengths in team building, talent development, and cultivating award-winning workplaces will continue to be invaluable as we enter our next chapter of growth. I’m thrilled to partner with Becky to make Flight Schedule Pro a destination for top talent and a place where employees can build meaningful careers.”

Kowall holds a degree in Human Resource Management from Lewis University, with a minor in Business Administration. She is a dual-certified HR professional, with credentials as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

Source: Flight Schedule Pro

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