Market Intelligence: North America

US Aviation Training Group International Aero Academy Now Garmin Fleet Dealer

Lakeland, Florida, United States – International Aero Academy, which was established in 2017 initially focusing on accelerated pilot training but has since expanded to include aircraft maintenance technician training, on-demand charter services, and an in-house FAA Part 145 repair station, has shared that it has received its approval as a Garmin Fleet Dealer.

  • IAA started with just 8 aircraft and now operates operates a fleet of 26 aircraft including Tecnam P2008, P2006T and Cessna 172 and 152 aircraft
  • Currently IAA has around 100 to 120 pilots in training at any one time
  • Training aspiring pilots from around the globe IAA has recently opened an office in India and is hoping to announce a flight training cadet program with an airline in the coming months
  • IAA provides a pathway to US low cost carrier Spirit Airlines – after reaching 500 flight hours, student pilots can apply to the airline with the possibility of receiving a conditional letter of employment upon reaching 1,500 hours.

“Congratulations to our entire team and thank you to Garmin. This week we became a Garmin Fleet Dealer. A very rare honor for a flight academy.” shared IAA.

Source: IAA

Related Posts

Simulator Manufacturer, Redbird, Previews Next-Generation Mixed-Reality Platform

At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, Redbird Flight (Redbird) – a United States headquartered flight simulator manufacturer demonstrated a new mixed-reality platform for its product line. The technology, which combines an affordable virtual reality headset with proprietary software, is the foundation for future mixed-reality add-ons to new and existing Redbird training devices.

Redbird has been iterating on mixed reality in research and development since the company first unveiled a proof of concept at AirVenture 2022. The next-generation platform builds on the immersive visual system of the initial demonstration version—which blends the physical and digital worlds to enable pilots to see both the graphics in the simulation and the real-world flight controls through the headset—while integrating the software stack into the company’s core simulation engine and reducing the hardware necessary to operate it.

Unlike earlier demonstratable versions, the new platform runs on the core processing unit of Redbird training devices and exclusively utilizes high-resolution cameras in the headset for spatial mapping, allowing the company to reduce the cost of its mixed-reality solutions and simplify the end-user experience.

“For several years, we have been working on developing mixed-reality solutions that are practical and affordable for a variety of use cases in aviation education and training without compromising on fidelity, and we think this new platform is a promising pathway toward accomplishing that goal,” said Redbird Chief Executive Officer Todd Willinger. “It is capable of being fully integrated into the Redbird Navigator operating system, allowing us to support it and our customers to install and use it free of the hassles of off-the-shelf virtual reality offerings.”

Redbird continues to develop the technology to suit the needs of various customers, ranging from K-12 and youth outreach programs to certificated pilots and flight training programs. The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) in Lakeland, Florida, will be the first aviation education organization to implement the new mixed-reality platform into its operations. ACE plans to utilize the technology throughout its programs, from engaging and educating pre-kindergarten and elementary school students to helping flight students and lapsed pilots develop visual flying skills without incurring the cost of an aircraft rental for every training session.

“Mixed-reality simulation is going to make flight training more accessible and immersive than anything we have seen in the last 50 years,” said ACE Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Crump. “The platform Redbird is developing offers tremendous flexibility on one device. It could become the Swiss Army Knife of aviation education.”

“ACE is the ideal launch customer for this platform,” added Willinger. “As an industry-leading education nonprofit, it will offer insights into myriad use cases that will be immensely valuable as we develop mixed-reality solutions at scale.”

Redbird is demonstrating the new mixed-reality platform on its TD2 Basic Aviation Training Device in its booth at AirVenture. The company is planning the alpha release of a version of the platform compatible with its line of Advanced Aviation Training Devices.

About Redbird Flight
Redbird Flight of Austin, Texas, was established in 2006 with the specific purpose of making aviation more accessible by using modern technology and careful engineering. Since its inception, Redbird has delivered innovative, reliable, and high-quality training devices to flight schools, colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and individual pilots around the world. Withmore than 3,000 devices in service worldwide, Redbird has quickly become the fastest growing and most innovative simulator provider in the industry. For more information, please visit www.redbirdflight.com.

Source: Redbird
Photo Credit: Redbird

Related Posts

US Aviation and Pilot Training Group Epic Welcomes Gulfstream G3 for Aircraft Mechanic Training in July 2024

Florida, United States headquartered flight and aircraft maintenance training group Epic Flight Academy’s Aircraft Mechanic School in New Smyrna Beach has recently acquired a Gulfstream G3. This addition will provide students with hands-on experience during their classes.

Epic Flight Academy is headquartered in New Smyrna Beach, Florida with locations across the U.S. The company was founded in 1999 and provides FAA-approved flight training and aircraft mechanic training.

Source: Epic Flight Academy
Photo Credit: Epic Flight Academy (shown as meta image)

Related Posts

Simulator Manufacturer, Flightdeck Solutions, Boosts Canadian Flight Training and Aviation Research with 3 Airliner Simulators Deployed in 2024

Flightdeck Solutions is proud to announce the successful delivery and installation of three high-level flight training devices at the newly inaugurated Aviation SIM Centre and Innovation Hub of the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC). The June 2024 grand opening of this 3,300-square-foot facility marks a significant milestone in aviation training, aimed at equipping future pilots with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their careers.

“The simulators give a very close-to-realistic feel… they are tactically identical to an aircraft” said Tony Varga, WWFC Chair.

The newly installed FDS-A320-FTD, FDS-B737MAX-FTD, and newcomer FDS-Q400-FTD will enrich the school’s training programs, including a revamped Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) curriculum. Equally important, the devices will facilitate research initiatives for the school’s strategic partner, the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA).

“With the new flight training devices installed, what our aim is here is that (students) will be trained with the aircraft they will have when they walk into an airline,” stated Tony Varga, chairman of the WWFC board.  This integration is expected to significantly shorten the ramp-up time for pilots transitioning to actual airline operations, thus addressing the current shortage of qualified pilots.

Peter Cos, President of Flightdeck Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Flightdeck Solutions has built a strong reputation as the premier provider of flight simulators for North American schools.  Our partnership with WWFC highlights our dedication to advancing aviation education and training across Canada.“

The establishment of the Aviation SIM Centre and Innovation Hub was made possible through a collaborative investment. In October 2023, WWFC invested $1.8 million for building construction, while equipment and research were supported by a $9.2 million investment from the Canadian government through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

By training approximately 300 students per year, the WWFC aims to produce graduates with an undergraduate-level understanding of aviation equipment, thanks to the sophisticated simulators provided by Flightdeck Solutions. “The simulators give a very close-to-realistic feel… they are tactically identical to an aircraft,” Varga explained, underscoring the high fidelity and precision of the new devices.

About Flightdeck Solutions
Flightdeck Solutions (FDS) is a global provider to the aerospace and aviation industry for a wide range of flight simulation products and services.  Over its 22-year history FDS has gained worldwide trust for producing high quality, immersive and fully tactile FTD trainers, becoming the solution of choice for companies and educational institutions around the world.  With devices such as the B737MAX, B737NG, A320, B787, B777, and B747, and trusted by companies like Boeing, Honeywell, and CAE, FDS has built a reputation for providing both custom hardware solutions and turnkey offerings, delivering excellence in quality while maintaining financial responsibility.

About Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC)
WWFC offers a state-of-the-art facility partnered with Conestoga College and the University of Waterloo aviation programs. It offers industry-recognized training to individuals seeking a career in aviation. WWFC also strongly supports the general aviator, offering modular programs, an Airline Transport Pilot Licence program, and support to Fun Flyers. Nearly 20% of total commercial pilot licenses in Canada are graduates of the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre at YKF.

WWFC is a not-for-profit corporation that employs over 100 employees and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Its mission continues to provide members of the aviation community with the opportunity to pursue their goals supported by the highest-quality resources and in the safest environment.

Source: Flightdeck Solutions
Photo Credit: Flightdeck Solutions

Related Posts