Market Intelligence: North America

Italian Training Aircraft Manufacturer Breaks Ground on U.S. Factory for V1 Training Aircraft

United States & Italy – Vulcanair Aircraft North America has officially broken ground on its new U.S. assembly facility in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion and commitment to serving the American flight training market. With building materials now on site and construction underway, the facility is slated for completion by September 1, 2025.

  • Once operational, the new factory will have the capacity to assemble up to 100 Vulcanair V1 training aircraft per year.

  • The facility will play a key role in meeting rising U.S. demand for cost-effective, IFR-certified training aircraft, offering flight schools a Made-in-USA option for growing their fleets.

  • Vulcanair is forming a leasing company to offer the V1 at $79 per flight hour to schools, including coverage for engine and propeller overhauls.

  • The first five aircraft built at the Elizabethtown plant will be used for production certification, which is targeted for Q1 2026.

About Vulcanair Aircraft
Founded in 1996 in Italy, Vulcanair is a general aviation aircraft manufacturer. The company acquired assets and type certificates from Partenavia and Siai Marchetti and has since modernized its operations with a global engineering focus.

Source: Vulcanair Aircraft

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FMS Training Solution Provider, Heading365, Partners with Allegiant to Deliver Tailored Digital FMS Training

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – Allegiant Air has selected Heading365’s A320 FMS Trainer PRO to enhance pilot training across its network. This fully customized, digital training solution will be deployed at all Allegiant training centers and used by its pilot corps. Tailored to Allegiant’s specific operational configuration, the A320 FMS Trainer PRO provides accurate, scalable, and efficient flight management system training—eliminating negative learning and ensuring high operational fidelity.

Source: Heading365
Photo Credit: Allegiant Air

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MINT Software Systems Unveils Smarter Training Management with a Major Upgrade in Version 2025.1

Germany – MINT Software Systems has announced the upcoming release of MINT TMS Horizon: Version 2025.1, a major upgrade designed to streamline training management with a smarter interface, better performance, and powerful new tools. Built for aviation and adaptable across industries, the update delivers a modernized user experience, enhanced automation, and backend improvements that help training organizations stay agile, compliant, and audit-ready.

  • WebPortal Replaced by TMS Web: A sleek, fully redesigned interface replaces the legacy WebPortal, offering intuitive navigation, customizable scheduling, smart filters, and adaptive forms.

  • Java 21 Integration: The latest Java platform improves system speed, security, and stability; required for running the MINT desktop app in v.2025.1.

  • PostgreSQL Migration: The shift from Oracle to PostgreSQL boosts performance and simplifies database maintenance; users may need to update custom SQL.

  • WebLaunch Required: A new one-click launcher enables fast access to the MINT desktop app and performance tools.

  • Modern UI & Efficiency Features: Dynamic form previews in workflows, side-by-side schedule views, and full-screen/multitask form grading streamline operations.

  • Improved Backend & Maintenance Tools: Containers standardize deployment, while bulk actions for event handlers and smarter project imports reduce administrative load.

  • New Report Link Functionality: Connect forms directly to reports for seamless data access with one click.

  • Smarter Grading Logic: Deferred grading items are now automatically carried forward using dynamic forms.

About MINT Software Systems
Headquartered in Kiel, Germany, MINT Software Systems is a leading provider of training and resource management solutions tailored for the aviation, defense, and regulated industries. Its flagship product, MINT TMS, enables airlines, flight schools, and other training organizations to centralize scheduling, compliance tracking, and qualification management in a scalable, intuitive platform. It has offices in the US, Middle East, and Colombia.

Source: MINT
Photo Credit: MINT

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USA’s Hillsboro Aero Academy Highlights 2025 Strategic Partnerships with Colleges and Universities

Oregon, United States – Hillsboro Aero Academy is offering aspiring pilots the unique opportunity to combine FAA flight training with higher education, thanks to strategic partnerships with Portland Community College and Purdue University. Students can simultaneously work toward their college degrees while earning essential pilot certifications, streamlining their path to an aviation career.

Last month Hillsboro Aero Academy launched a new 12-month Aviation Maintenance Professional Program—an accelerated, hands-on pathway for students seeking careers as FAA-certified aircraft mechanics.

Set to begin September 8, 2025, at the academy’s Hillsboro campus in Oregon, the program is designed to be completed in half the time of most comparable offerings. Graduates will be prepared for the FAA’s General, Airframe, and Powerplant certification exams and enter the workforce as qualified aviation maintenance technicians.

Source: Hillsboro Aero Academy
Photo Credit: Hillsboro Aero Academy

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Textron Aviation to Showcase Full Product Lineup at EAA AirVenture 2025

Wichita, Kansas, USA – Textron Aviation has announced it will feature its most expansive static display ever at the 2025 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from July 21 to 27. Set at Booth #78 at Wittman Regional Airport, the display will be the largest of any OEM at this year’s show. A wide range of Textron Aviation products, including special anniversary editions and new mockups, will be showcased alongside contributions from Textron eAviation, McCauley Propeller Systems, Bell, and Lycoming.

  • Aircraft to be featured include:

    • Cessna Grand Caravan EX with a 40th anniversary livery

    • Cessna Skyhawk, celebrating 70 years of flight

    • Cessna Turbo Stationair HD, Turbo Skylane, and Skylane

    • Beechcraft Denali and King Air 360

    • Cessna SkyCourier (freighter variant) – first appearance in static display

    • Citation M2 Gen2, CJ3 Gen3 mockup, and CJ4 Gen3 cockpit mockup

  • Other exhibits at the booth include:

    • McCauley C780 and C1106 propellers

    • Bell 429 helicopter

    • Lycoming engine lineup

    • Pipistrel electric aircraft: Panthera, Alpha Trainer, Velis, and Sinus Max

Source: Textron Aviation
Photo Credit: Textron Aviation

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Elixir Aircraft to Showcase Next-Gen Trainer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

United States / France – Elixir Aircraft is set to touch down at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, the world’s largest aviation gathering, taking place July 21–27 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The French manufacturer will showcase its 4th generation training aircraft and cutting-edge OneShot composite design, reinforcing its mission to make flight training safer, simpler, and smarter.

  • Elixir will be located at Booths 17-18-19, inviting attendees to explore the latest in aircraft innovation tailored for the North American flight training market.

  • The OneShot composite airframe—a patented, single-piece design—drastically reduces parts, weight, and failure points, improving reliability and lowering maintenance.

  • With growing interest in modern training solutions, the aircraft’s next-gen avionics, low operating costs, and safety-enhancing systems are already earning attention from flight schools and academies worldwide.

In June 2023, the French President announced a 13-million euro subsidy for Elixir Aircraft. In early 2024, Elixir Aircraft announced the closing of its development financing for the next 5 years, with a budget of 40 million euros. Elixir Aircraft is preparing to open a new 15,000 m2 facility in La Rochelle and another in Sarasota, Florida.

Source: Elixir Aircraft
Photo Credit: Elixir Aircraft

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Boeing Announces 2025 Chief Financial Officer Transition Plan

USA – Boeing announced a transition in its chief financial officer role. Brian West will become a senior advisor to Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg, and Jesus “Jay” Malave has been elected as incoming executive vice president and chief financial officer. Both roles are effective August 15.

West, who served as Boeing CFO for the last four years, will continue working with the company in an advisory capacity, including assisting in the upcoming CFO leadership transition.

“I want to personally thank Brian for his outstanding work navigating our recovery and positioning the company for the future,” said Ortberg. “These past few years have been some of the most consequential in Boeing’s history, and Brian successfully guided us through last year’s historic capital raise and ensured our team always had the resources to continue the critical work to strengthen safety and quality across our operations. I look forward to his continued counsel in his new role.”

Malave will lead Boeing’s financial strategy, reporting, long-range business planning, investor relations, treasury, controller and audit operations, as well as Enterprise Services, which includes global real estate and facilities. He will report to Ortberg and serve on the company’s Executive Council.

“Jay will become CFO at an important time in helping build Boeing’s next chapter as we continue to make progress on our recovery and implement fundamental changes rooted in safety and quality,” said Ortberg. “He is a well-respected financial and business leader, and brings decades of experience developing people and teams across complex aerospace and manufacturing businesses.”

Malave was most recently CFO of Lockheed Martin and before that held the positions of senior vice president and CFO at L3Harris Technologies. He spent more than 20 years at United Technologies Corporation, including serving as vice president and CFO of Carrier Corporation when it was an operating unit of UTC, and vice president and CFO at UTC Aerospace Systems.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing

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