Market Intelligence: North America

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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Aircraft Manufacturer, Textron Aviation, Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence at the Greensboro Service Center

Textron Aviation is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its factory-owned service center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Located at Piedmont Triad International Airport, this facility supports customers in the mid-Atlantic region and provides quality maintenance and modification services from a dedicated team of experts. Employees marked the milestone anniversary with a celebration event earlier this month.

Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker customers receive factory-direct support, maintenance and modifications by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, through its global network of service and part centers, mobile service units and 24/7 1CALL AOG support.

“During the past three decades, we have developed strong relationships with customers in Greensboro and throughout the southeastern region, and they count on our skilled team to provide factory-direct service and support to their aircraft,” said Jeff Dowden, general manager, Textron Aviation Greensboro Service Center. “They know they can trust us to support them wherever they are.”

“What better place than a company service center to take care of my Cessna?” said Robert Fiscella, long-time Cessna Citation customer. “The team in Greensboro takes great interest in my aircraft and in their workmanship — every time my airplane leaves the service center, it looks like new.”

The Greensboro facility opened in 1993 as a company-owned Cessna Citation Service Center. Over the years the facility has grown and expanded its services to include scheduled maintenance, overhauls and modifications, AOG support, paint, interior refurbishments, and avionics for a number of current and legacy Textron Aviation customers and products, including Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft.

“Our team is dedicated to providing superior customer service and support to customers 24/7,” said Tracy Leopold, vice president, North American Service Centers. “This 30th anniversary milestone would not have been possible if not for their passion and knowledge.”

Textron Aviation’s support organization includes 20 company-owned full-service centers located around the world with expert service engineers dedicated to keeping customers moving and aircraft performing at the highest possible level.

About Textron Aviation Service

Textron Aviation, through its Beechcraft and Cessna brands, is renowned for its unrivaled global service network dedicated to complete life-cycle support. In addition to its expansive company-owned footprint, Textron Aviation’s jet and turboprop customers have access to a global network of more than 300 authorized service facilities. Textron Aviation also offers a mobile support program featuring more than 40 mobile service units and on-site service technicians and support.

About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.

Source: Textron Aviation
Photo Credit: Textron Aviation

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US Regional Airline Selects Training Management System Solutions Provider Qualtero

Israel headquartered Qualtero, formerly Britannica Knowledge Systems, is thrilled to announce that the United States regional operator Republic Airways Inflight Department has selected Fox as its Training Management System (TMS) to oversee its Advanced Qualification Program (AQP).

“Our expanding partnership showcases the value and effectiveness of Fox, and shows trust in our comprehensive solution for airlines, ready to revolutionize the way Republic Airways conducts crew training, and ensuring the highest level of safety and efficiency in their operations,” said Qualtero.

Republic Airways currently operates 218 ERJ-170.

Source: Qualtero
Photo Credit: Qualtero (shown as meta image)

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Airbus Announces Commercial Aircraft Orders and Deliveries for the Month of September 2023

In September 2023, Airbus:

  • Delivered 55 aircraft to 34 customers
    • 4 A220-300
    • 1 A319neo
    • 23 A320neo
    • 20 A321neo
    • 2 A330-900
    • 5 A350-900
  • Secured 23 orders
    • 13 A321neo
    • 10 A350-900
  • Year to date Airbus has delivered 488 aircraft to 78 customers.

AFM Team Note – kindly contact us for a detailed excel breakdown of orders and deliveries by airline.

Check out last month’s orders and deliveries here.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus (shown as meta image)

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