Market Intelligence: North America

Skyfarer Academy Launches Digital Aviation Training Platform

  • Building Safer Skies by Connecting Pilots of All Levels with the Right Flight Instructors Who Are Experts in Their Next Training Goals
  • Offering Personalized and Supplemental Training to Enhance Traditional Flight School Education and Combat Pilot Dropout Rates
  • Connecting Pilots with Experienced Flight Instructors for Specialized, Accessible Aviation Training

San Diego, CA – Skyfarer Academy has announced the official launch of its aviation training platform, dedicated to providing live online flight and ground instruction. Skyfarer Academy connects students and pilots with flight instructors who specialize in various segments of aviation. The platform serves as a complementary training resource for students enrolled in both Part 61 and Part 141 programs, as well as those participating in traditional flight schools or online ground school programs.

Skyfarer Academy primarily supports:

  • Aspiring pilots and students seeking personalized flight and ground instruction online
  • Experienced pilots working on their next certification, maintaining high levels of proficiency, preparing for flight reviews or instrument proficiency checks, or finding the specific expertise needed to pursue their next flying adventure
  • Instructors who want to offer their expertise remotely, reaching a broader audience and providing high-quality instruction beyond geographical limitations

“We’re here to address the gaps in traditional flight training by connecting students with qualified instructors online,” said Todd Davis, co-founder and CAO of Skyfarer Academy. “Student pilots often face difficulties finding the right instructor to guide them through specific challenges in their training. Through live online sessions, our students receive the support they need to become successful pilots, while flight instructors can share their knowledge on a broader scale and help reduce the high aviation dropout rates.”

Skyfarer Academy was founded with a clear mission: to make high-quality aviation instruction accessible to anyone, from anywhere and at any time. The platform addresses the challenges many students face when searching online for knowledgeable flight instructors. By vetting instructors for specific expertise and creating a user-friendly online experience, Skyfarer Academy redefines what it means to learn to fly in the modern era.

Years ago, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) reported a staggering dropout rate among student pilots of approximately 70 to 80 percent. This high attrition rate is caused by a variety of factors, including challenges in accessing specialized instruction and maintaining consistent progress. Skyfarer Academy sees an opportunity to address these issues by offering convenient, targeted training options that complement students’ in-person experiences. This approach ensures that pilots stay engaged and build the confidence needed to continue their journey to certification. By providing access to a variety of instructors, Skyfarer Academy increases students’ chances of success.

“While not everyone who starts flight training will go on to become a certificated pilot, we’re seeing way too many students leaving the pipeline because of issues that are entirely solvable,” said Nick Tsang, co-founder and CEO of Skyfarer Academy. “Proper flight school training and online ground school options remain essential, but there is a growing demand for accessible online instruction from qualified flight instructors. Skyfarer Academy is here to meet that need, offering personalized training designed to supplement traditional instruction and help students stay on track.”

Supporting Quotes

Skyfarer Academy instructors include aviation professionals like Tom Lunsford, a retired Navy flight instructor known for his patient approach and expertise in helping students overcome instrument rating challenges; Hailey Zirkle, a commercial airline pilot and Gold Seal CFI whose experience adds incredible value to advanced students; and David Kollins, a versatile CFI with corporate piloting experience, recognized for his passion for teaching and diverse aviation background.

  • “Skyfarer Academy is eliminating the difficulties for students of aviation by connecting them directly with the right flight instructors,” said Tom. “Someday soon it will be the go-to place for a dynamic and quality educational aviation experience. I’m proud to be a small part of Skyfarer and am excited to see the future of aviation education with them.”
  • “Skyfarer Academy offers something unique in flight training,” said Hailey. “We’re here to help students not only pass their exams and master the skills to become proficient pilots, but also to foster mentorships and provide services that will support them as they advance in their careers.”
  • “This flexible platform enhances the aviation training experience, offering access to instructors from diverse backgrounds,” added David. “It also serves as a reliable partner, boosting students’ confidence and readiness while providing extra assurance for success in their next check-ride, knowledge test, or general review. I wish I had this during my flight training!”

Students who have participated in the platform’s beta phase have shared positive experiences, praising the quality of instruction and the accessibility of online sessions. “I felt more prepared for my check ride after just a session on Skyfarer,” said one beta student. “The instructor is focused on making sure you understand every detail, and that’s not something I always got in my in-person lessons.”

About Skyfarer Academy
Skyfarer Academy was founded in 2024 to transform aviation training by providing live online instruction that supplements traditional in-person flight schools and ground school programs. With 1-on-1 live video sessions, students can connect with instructors from any location and receive personalized instruction tailored to their needs. The platform also offers tools such as calendar integration for on-demand learning. As Skyfarer Academy grows, it will continue to add services, including small group sessions.

Skyfarer Academy’s vetting process ensures that instructors are both qualified and passionate about teaching, meeting the needs of a broad range of students, from newcomers to seasoned pilots pursuing specialized skills.

“The journey from being an aspiring aviator to becoming a professional pilot is filled with obstacles, whether it’s finding the right instructor, accessing high-quality training materials, or getting the individual attention that is crucial for mastering complex aviation skills,” said Rod Machado, expert instructor and author of a library of pilot training materials. “Skyfarer Academy addresses these challenges and provides a platform that connects student pilots with certificated and qualified flight instructors. It is a lifeline for those just beginning their journey and offers advanced pilots a new opportunity to refine their skills and gain specialized knowledge through live sessions. One of the critical areas where the Skyfarer Academy will make an impact is knowledge transference within the aviation community. They see that this is a big problem—there is a wealth of knowledge, ideas, and experience that needs to be transferred from those who have something valuable to offer to those who need quality instruction and support.”

Source: Skyfarer Academy
Photo Credit: Skyfarer Academy

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Cirrus Aircraft Showcases VR Training Developments at NBAA-BACE 2024

USA – Cirrus Aircraft, an aircraft manufacturer, is expanding its training solutions, incorporating advanced technologies such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and enhancing its customer support through its Cirrus Assist mobile units. The company aims to improve flight training and ownership experience for pilots operating its Vision Jet and SR aircraft models.

  • Cirrus launched its specialized training course a few years ago, focusing on both ground and in-aircraft training experiences using AR/VR technology.
  • The company is developing a virtual reality training program using the Apple Vision Pro VR headset. Features include:
    • Preflight walkaround and startup procedure simulations.
    • Familiarization with avionics and visual cues for various maneuvers.
    • Practice for air traffic control (ATC) communication.
  • Users can interactively explore aircraft components; for example, selecting the jet engine visualizes the fuel system and its connections.
  • While the AR/VR program is still under development, the company showcased a demo at NBAA-BACE, highlighting its realistic and immersive capabilities.
  • CEO Zean Nielsen emphasized that reducing the cost of aircraft ownership begins with efficient training solutions. Virtual training could enable pilots to master avionics and ATC communication at home, reducing expensive in-aircraft training time.
  • Cirrus’s training offerings include customized programs for both new and recurrent training, supported by full-motion flight simulators and a network of certified instructors.
  • The Cirrus Assist mobile units, available in Arizona, Florida, and Utah, aim to enhance support for aircraft-on-ground events and other urgent maintenance needs.
  • The company continues to refine its Vision Jet series, with the latest G2+ model featuring advanced technologies such as Garmin Autoland Safe Return, inflight Wi-Fi, and improved takeoff capabilities.

Statements:

  • “One of the things that I want to do with Cirrus is drive the cost of ownership down, and the cost of ownership starts with learning how to fly,” said CEO Zean Nielsen.
  • “What if you could learn all that at home? What if you could be an expert in the avionics before you set foot in the aircraft? So now you can just focus your time on stick and rudder, takeoffs and landings, slow flight, steep turns—all of that.”
  • “We have yet to decide how we want to implement it in our training approach. What we don’t want it to be is gimmicky,” Nielsen stated regarding the AR/VR training integration.

Source: Cirrus Aircraft and Media Reporting

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Garmin Introduces its Newest and the Most Advanced Integrated Flight Deck Yet – G3000 PRIME

Olathe, Kansas, USA – Garmin introduced G3000® PRIME, its most advanced integrated flight deck yet. Setting a new standard in integrated avionics, Garmin’s G3000 PRIME redefines the flight deck experience with sleek, intuitive, all-touchscreen displays and a highly flexible open system architecture that seamlessly adapts to serve a broad and dynamic market. With a state-of-the-art user interface design and advanced connectivity, G3000 PRIME leverages cutting-edge technologies that can enhance safety potential and efficiency while minimizing pilot workload in every phase of flight. Now FAA TSO certified, G3000 PRIME is ready to elevate and serve Part 23 turbine, military and advanced air mobility (AAM) markets.

“Twenty years ago, Garmin redefined the general aviation cockpit with the G1000, our first integrated flight deck. Ten years later, we introduced the G3000, bringing the first touch screens to the light turbine cockpit, and revolutionary technologies like the award-winning Garmin Autoland. With over 30,000 Garmin integrated flight decks now in service, we are proud to introduce G3000 PRIME, the industry’s most intuitive and advanced flight deck to date.” –Phil Straub, Garmin Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Aviation.

Stunning edge-to-edge glass flight displays

G3000 PRIME features expansive 14-inch touchscreen primary display units (PDU) with edge-to-edge, sunlight-readable, fingerprint-resistant glass, redefining expectations in cockpit aesthetics and functionality. The vibrant displays include multiple performance enhancements such as quadruple the memory and gigabit system connectivity that is up to 100 times faster. New, faster multi-core processors more than double the processing power – leveraging Garmin’s experience certifying multi-core technology for civil and military aviation markets as early as 2017. Additionally, higher display refresh rates provide crisp, smooth animations and an impressively responsive and fluid experience.

Complementary secondary display units (SDU) provide data entry and system control, with the added capability to display multi-function applications. The high-resolution, 7-inch SDUs boast a 40% increase in screen area over prior Garmin touch controllers. Additionally, in certain aircraft applications, the SDUs can double as an integrated standby flight instrument display, removing the need for a dedicated standby flight instrument in the panel.

G3000 PRIME’s new advanced multi-touch touchscreen interface, capable of recognizing up to 10 touchscreen inputs at once, allows both pilot and copilot to interact with the same display simultaneously. The enhanced multi-touch technology also enables on-screen hand stabilization, allowing pilots to give precise touchscreen inputs while simultaneously resting their fingers on the display. Support for dedicated control devices allow for intuitive physical control of commonly used functions through Garmin-designed products and third-party devices, as well as hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controller designs for the military and defense markets.

Modern & intuitive new user interface

G3000 PRIME boasts a modern, yet familiar user interface, blending Garmin’s rich experience in avionics design with a sleek, contemporary look and feel. Enhanced fonts and iconography ensure clarity and familiarity, while smartly organized and shallow application menus provide quick access to critical functions.

Primary Flight Windows (PFW) and Multi-Function Windows (MFW) maximize situational awareness with full-screen or split-screen options. New quick access bars allow pilots to open common apps such as maps, traffic, weather and charts with one touch. While viewing maps, pilots can touch anywhere to open a radial menu with options for accessing additional airport, weather, or airspace information, or quickly adjusting a flight plan via graphical editing. Interactive engine and electrical indications allow pilots to quickly open systems controls and information such as cabin environmental controls, synoptics and more.

To further ease information management, the Window Manager feature allows pilots to configure app display, window sizing, and more across the entire flight deck from one SDU. The Window Manager also provides multiple preset options that can configure all displays with one command, eliminating the need for operators to manually configure each window for various phases of flight.

Advanced flight tools

G3000 PRIME provides enhanced flight management system (FMS) tools like the Modified Flight Plan, which allows pilots to use both the PDU and SDUs to provide a side-by-side graphical preview of flight plan changes, including performance calculation comparisons or what-if scenarios. During initialization, pilots can also elect to set up an Emergency Return function, which simplifies pilot responses to in-flight emergencies shortly after takeoff. Recently introduced to Garmin integrated flight decks,

Taxiway Routing has been further improved to provide automated route guidance on the 2D navigational maps and 3D Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT™) depictions.

G3000 PRIME provides advanced automation with smart checklists that are linked to crew alerting system (CAS) messages. When pilots receive a CAS message that is associated with a checklist, pilots may simply tap the message to open the appropriate checklist with a single touch. The checklists can also now sense indications and show within the checklist that the item is in the correct position, value or configuration – or provide pilots the option to quickly view detailed synoptics. Integration with Garmin-designed Electronic Power Distribution Systems replaces traditional switches with intuitive electronic circuit breakers, providing enhanced automation and ensuring a streamlined and modern cockpit experience.

Unmatched safety-enhancing innovations

G3000 PRIME features a wide array of industry-leading advanced safety-enhancing technologies available only from Garmin, including Autonomí, Garmin’s family of autonomous safety-enhancing technologies. Collier Trophy recipient, Garmin Autoland, can take complete control of the flight to land the aircraft in an emergency situation where the pilot is unable to do so1. Additional safety tools such as Smart Glide™, Smart Rudder Bias, Electronic Stability Protection (ESP™), Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) and Garmin Autothrottle further ensure confidence in every flight.

Garmin’s terminal safety solutions add even more capabilities to G3000 PRIME-equipped aircraft. Recently announced Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) technology analyzes GPS and ADS-B traffic information relevant to the airport’s runways and taxiways to assess and alert the flight crew of a possible runway incursion or collision. ROA builds upon Garmin’s other terminal safety solutions including Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS), 3D SafeTaxi® and Garmin SurfaceWatch™.

Seamless connectivity and integration

Stay fully connected while flying behind G3000 PRIME using a variety of supported connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth®, SiriusXM, Connext Satellite Services and more. Garmin’s PlaneSync™ connected aircraft management system automatically updates databases2, logs flight and engine data and allows aircraft owners and operators to remotely check fuel and systems status via the Garmin Pilot™ app3. Automated cockpit functions such as flight plan uploads over PlaneSync ensure pilots have access to real-time data, enhancing their operational efficiency and decision-making. G3000 PRIME also supports Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC), including the FAA Data Comm and Eurocontrol Link 2000+ programs, for faster departure clearance (DCL) — as well as enroute exchange of data link messages with air route traffic control centers.

G3000 PRIME has received FAA TSO certification. Initial aircraft delivering with G3000 PRIME will be announced by aircraft manufacturers.

About Garmin International, Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, G3000 and SafeTaxi are registered trademarks and SVT, Smart Glide, ESP, SurfaceWatch, PlaneSync and Garmin Pilot are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

Source: Garmin
Photo Credit: Garmin

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Bye Aerospace Advances eFlyer 2 Prototype Meeting Partners at NBAA 2024

Las Vegas, USA – Rod Zastrow, CEO and President of Bye Aerospace, highlighted his experience at the 2024 NBAA Convention alongside CFO Jim Dunn, focusing on advancing collaborations for the company’s all-electric aircraft development.

Zastrow engaged with system partners such as Safran, supplying the aircraft’s electric motor, and Garmin, providing avionics solutions, as Bye Aerospace prepares for critical system integration in 2025. According to Zastrow, the eFlyer 2 prototype, Serial Number 001, is currently being fabricated at Bye Aerospace’s facilities in Englewood (Denver). This aircraft will be the company’s first full-scale model to undergo testing and integration, with the goal of establishing a new standard for electric flight training. The eFlyer series aims to revolutionize aviation training with zero-emission operations, lower noise levels, and reduced operating costs, offering significant benefits to flight schools and aviation communities.

Statement:

“Another great experience attending this year’s National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention with our eFlyer Team’s CFO, Jim Dunn. Enjoyed speaking with some of our functional system partners such as Safran (electric motor) and Garmin (avionics), and preparing for system integration in 2025 for our eFlyer 2 Serial Number 001 full-scale prototype now being fabricated at our facilities in Englewood (Denver), CO,” said Zastrow.

Source: Rod Zastrow (Bye Aerospace)
Photo Credit: Bye Aerospace

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