Market Intelligence: North America

L3Harris Flight Academy Welcomes Large Number of Students in December 2024 including from Air India and IndiGo

Sanford, Florida, USA – L3Harris Flight Academy, the US flight training base of L3Harris Commercial Aviation Solutions, has welcomed a large number of cadets in December (around 26).

L3Harris Flight Academy continues to foster strong relationships with its airline partner students through regular Town Hall meetings. The December 2024 forum, involving cadets from All Nippon Airways (ANA), Korean Aerospace University (KAU), IndiGo, and Air India, offer an opportunity to discuss training progress and gather valuable feedback.

  • Student Feedback – Cadets highlighted three key reasons they value their training experience at L3Harris:
    • Favorable weather enabling more frequent flying days.
    • A large fleet ensuring high aircraft availability for training.
    • Friendly and accommodating Academy staff who enhance the learning environment.

Source: L3Harris Flight Academy Announcement

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Boeing Appoints Numerous Individuals in Cultural Transformation Drive

USA – Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has appointed Ann Schmidt as Chief Communications and Brand Officer, continuing a wave of leadership changes aimed at revitalizing the company’s culture. Schmidt, previously the interim head of communications, takes over following Brian Besanceney’s retirement on October 1.

Other Leadership Changes:

  • Chief Information Officer Susan Doniz has departed, with Dennis Eng serving as interim CIO.
  • Ted Colbert, head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, departed in September, with COO Steve Parker stepping in as interim leader.
  • Elizabeth Lund, Senior VP of Quality for Commercial Airplanes, is retiring and will be replaced by Doug Ackerman

Boeing’s Cultural Shift

In October, Ortberg acknowledged Boeing’s challenges during a call with investment analysts, stating that the company requires a fundamental cultural transformation.

Source: Boeing and Media Reporting

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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.

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California’s Aviators Flight Academy is Seeking to Hire a Chief Flight Instructor in December 2024

Van Nuys, California, USA – Aviators Flight Academy, a Part 141 flight school, is seeking an experienced Chief Flight Instructor to lead its training operations. Based at Van Nuys, CA, the academy offers advanced training programs with a modern fleet and a strong partnership with SkyWest Airlines, facilitating pathways for aspiring commercial pilots.

Key Responsibilities

  • Manage flight training operations, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations and Part 141 requirements
  • Mentor and lead a team of flight instructors, fostering professional growth and high training standards
  • Develop and enhance flight training curriculum using the latest aviation technologies and methodologies
  • Oversee scheduling of instructors and aircraft to maximize efficiency
  • Represent the academy in industry forums and liaise with stakeholders and partners

Candidate Requirements

  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII); Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) preferred
  • Minimum 1,000 flight hours with significant instructional and curriculum development experience
  • Proven leadership experience in a flight training environment
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Weight under 200 lbs (due to SportCruiser specifications)

What’s Offered

  • Leadership role in shaping flight training programs and student success
  • Competitive salary reflecting the seniority of the role
  • Opportunity to leverage the SkyWest Airlines partnership for student career progression

To apply, please contact Aviators Flight Academy.

Source: Aviators Flight Academy

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Global Flight Training Group Skyborne Graduates Honored at Ghana Air Force Wing Parade Ceremony in December 2024

Accra, Ghana – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presided over the 2024 Ghana Air Force Wing Parade Ceremony, presenting pilot wings to 12 newly trained pilots at the Air Force Base in Accra. The ceremony marked the culmination of the pilots’ Ab-initio Flying Training at Skyborne Airline Academy in Vero Beach, Florida.

President Akufo-Addo emphasized the versatility of the Ghana Air Force, highlighting contributions to:

  • Disaster relief operations
  • Search and rescue missions
  • Protection of energy infrastructure in collaboration with key entities like the Volta River Authority and Ghana Gas Company
  • Transportation of electoral materials during elections

The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the operational capacity of the Ghana Air Force through increased investment. He urged the newly winged pilots to demonstrate loyalty, discipline, and leadership in their roles, stating: “Leadership is a calling, and as officers, men and women under your command will look to you for guidance and inspiration. Do not fail them. Your training, both at home and abroad, has prepared you to confront the challenges that lie ahead,” 

Source: Ghana Local Media
Photo Credit: Skyborne

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US Flight Training Group, Paragon Flight Training, Announces Fleet Expansion Plans; Recaps Key 2024 Successes, Including Growth of its Punta Gorda Location

Fort Myers, Florida, USA – Paragon Flight Training, an award-winning flight training academy based at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida, is increasing its fleet investment in Piper aircraft in 2025, upping the ambitious strategic plan the company unveiled in 2022. The announcement – and other news – was shared by Paragon Flight President and Owner, Chris Schoensee.

“Paragon Flight has benefitted from a multitude of positive business experiences in 2024 that have further bolstered our confidence in the decision to increase our fleet investments for 2025 and beyond,” Schoensee said. “In 2022, we projected the purchase of 50 new Piper Pilot 100i’s by the end of 2027. We’re now planning on 70 Piper P100i aircraft in that same period. It is an exceptional training platform, and we consider it the gold standard in flight training. We have totally re-fleeted our aircraft inventory since 2022, a stretch goal for us that has now been realized.”

On December 11, Paragon Flight took possession of the 200 serial number Piper P100i, after receiving the 100 serial number aircraft in January 2023. Schoensee gave a nod to the company’s second Florida location at Punta Gorda PDG Air Center – and the Punta Gorda airport community – for making an outsized contribution to the company’s success this year.

“We opened our Punta Gorda location in 2023 on the strength of the Paragon Flight brand with one aircraft; we now have eight aircraft there – all Pipers – to meet the increased local demand for flight training in this now bustling region of southwest Florida. We are also nearing completion of renovated space for ground training and for students to study and gather,” Schoensee said. “Plus, the leadership team at the PGD Air Center has been phenomenal.  They understand that a flight school is an introduction to the broader world of general aviation and ultimately helps to support and build up airports and the industry as a whole. We are extremely grateful for the welcome they continue to extend to Paragon Flight.”

Other 2024 Paragon Flight Training Highlights

  • December – approaching completion of a maintenance hangar at the Punta Gorda location which will bring in three new maintenance personnel.
  • November – purchased the assets of Airventures in LaGrange, Georgia, a flight training cornerstone in the region for more than 30 years. The acquisition follows the company’s 2023 entrance into the Georgia market when it began a partnership with LaGrange College to offer the college’s first program in aviation.
  • November – took possession of its 10th Piper P100i, bringing its fleet to 34 aircraft; With more than 30 Piper aircraft currently in its fleet, Paragon Flight owns approximately 15% of the Piper P100i aircraft, introduced in 2020, in existence.
  • May – announced its company-wide student enrollment was at an all-time high.

“As we continue to gain momentum, Paragon Flight is committed to providing our students with a professional flight training experience that they can’t find anywhere else,” Schoensee said.

About Paragon Flight Training
Paragon Flight is an award-winning flight academy headquartered at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida. Holding FAA and SEVIS accreditations, the company trains commercial, professional, and recreational pilots as well as offering military pilot training for domestic and foreign governments. With multiple locations in Florida and Georgia, Paragon Flight now has more than 34,000 square feet of training facilities in the South Eastern United States.

Source: Paragon Flight Training
Photo Credit: Paragon Flight Training

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Hillsboro Aero Academy is Seeking to Hire a Dedicated Program Manager in December 2024

Hillsboro, Oregon, USA – Hillsboro Aero Academy is hiring a Program Manager at its Hillsboro Campus to support flight instructors and oversee the progress of students in training programs. This full-time role combines leadership, student progress management, and flight instruction (20–30% weekly).

Key Responsibilities

  • Monitor student progress and ensure timely completion of training programs
  • Coach students and CFIs to meet training goals effectively
  • Identify and resolve progress issues, implementing solutions or probation plans as needed
  • Engage with students to enhance training satisfaction
  • Assist with scheduling lessons in coordination with the Campus Manager and Chief Instructor
  • Conduct flight training lessons with students
  • Report regularly to the Chief Instructor on student progress
  • Participate in staff meetings and other assigned duties

Required Qualifications

  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate
  • Experience providing primary flight instruction (PVT, IR, or COMME students)
  • Strong organizational and leadership skills
  • Excellent communication skills, including group presentations and one-on-one mentoring
  • Problem-solving ability with creative solutions

Preferred Qualifications

  • Triple-rated flight instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI)
  • At least 750 hours of dual flight instruction given
  • Experience managing a pilot training program with international students
  • Familiarity with ETA Talon flight training software
  • Experience working with English second-language students
  • Holds a U.S. driver’s license

Additional Information

  • Full-time, Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week
  • Competitive benefits: affordable healthcare, 401(k) with match, PTO, sabbatical, discounted flight training, and employee recognition program

To learn more about the role and to apply, please visit Hillsboro Aero Academy’s careers page job post.

Source: Hillsboro Aero Academy

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