Market Intelligence: North America

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Visionary Training Resources – VR Solutions for Improving Pilot Training

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Evey Cormican – CEO & Founder at Visionary Training Resources (VTR) – a virtual reality software design company, co-founded by experienced airline captains who are dedicated to improving pilot training.

The conversation covers:

  • Vision and Background: Evey Cormican, an experienced airline captain with over 30 years in aviation, founded VTR to transform pilot training using Virtual Reality (VR). Their flagship platform, FlightDeckToGo, is designed by airline professionals and built to address real-world pilot training challenges. VTR’s approach centers on safety, scientific principles, and operational practicality.
  • Strategic Growth and Innovation: A major milestone for VTR was its recent merger with Reaction Simulation LLC, enabling faster development and deeper customization. This move supports VTR’s three training pillars: decentralized training, individualized learning, and contextual mastery. Their AI-enhanced platform adapts to each pilot’s cognitive and behavioral patterns, delivering highly personalized and operationally relevant training.
  • Major Partnerships and FAA Integration: VTR has secured key collaborations with airlines such as Atlas Air and CommuteAir. Atlas uses VTR headsets across multiple fleets, allowing pilots to train flexibly over several weeks. CommuteAir has integrated VTR’s VR training into its FAA-approved curriculum, signaling strong regulatory support and practical utility of the technology.
  • Industry Trends and Challenges: Evey highlighted trends including mobile training, scenario-based realism, and data-driven personalization. She emphasized that pilot demand remains high despite perceived slowdowns, with training scalability and quality being critical issues. VTR addresses these by making simulator time more effective and enabling fast deployment of scenario-based updates.
  • Unique Value Proposition and Future Outlook: VTR stands out for its aviation-specific focus, scientific rigor, and operational impact. Their patented solutions go beyond compliance to improve in-flight decision-making and reduce operational costs. Evey is optimistic about regulatory support for immersive tech, envisioning a future where personalized, task-to-tool VR training becomes a core component of pilot readiness.

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USA’s Hillsboro Aero Academy Welcomes Consul General of Japan in June 2025, Celebrating Decades of Pilot Training Collaboration

Oregon, USA – flight training group Hillsboro Aero Academywelcomed His Excellency Ken Todoroki, Consul General of Japan in Portland, along with Consul Otsuka and Consul Murakami, to its training campus. The visit underscored Hillsboro’s enduring relationship with Japan, which spans over three decades of educational cooperation. With annual student cohorts arriving from Japanese partner institutions, Hillsboro continues to serve as a hub for international pilot training, fostering professional and cultural exchange between Japan and the United States.

Source: Hillsboro Aero Academy
Photo Credit: Hillsboro Aero Academy

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Fargo Jet Center Acquires 2 King Air 360 Aircraft at Paris Air Show 2025

France – Fargo Jet Center is proud to announce the acquisition of two Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft from Textron Aviation. The purchase was finalized on Wednesday, June 18th, at the 55th Paris Air Show, with the agreement taking place at the Textron Aviation Special Missions booth.

This milestone marks Fargo Jet Center’s first time exhibiting at the Paris Air Show, underscoring the company’s expanding global presence in the special missions aviation sector. The acquisition was a result of a collaborative agreement between key representatives from both organizations.

“We are thrilled to secure these two King Air 360 aircraft, which are renowned for their reliability, versatility, and advanced avionics,” said Darren Hall, Vice President of Business Development, Fargo Jet Center. “These aircraft will enable us to provide mission-ready platforms to meet the needs of our global special missions customers.”

The King Air 360 is celebrated for its enhanced cabin comfort, next-generation Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics, and proven performance in demanding missions. Fargo Jet Center’s investment in these aircraft demonstrates its commitment to delivering industry-leading solutions and unparalleled customer support.

For more information about Fargo Jet Center’s aircraft special missions and aircraft modification capabilities, visit www.fargojet.com/aircraft-special-missions or email specialmissions@fargojet.com.

About Fargo Jet Center
Headquartered in Fargo, ND (KFAR), Fargo Jet Center (FJC) is a global leader in aviation services and special mission aircraft modifications. Since 1995, FJC has completed more than 145 special mission aircraft used worldwide for air medical transport, atmospheric research, reconnaissance, and cloud seeding. FJC has extensive modification experience across platforms, including the Beechcraft King Air series, Cessna Citations, Bombardier Learjets, Pilatus PC-12, Daher Kodiak, and others. The company also holds multiple FAA STCs (validated in Europe (EASA) and China (VSTC)) for the integration of atmospheric research and cloud seeding systems in King Air aircraft.

In addition to special missions, FJC provides a full range of aviation services including FBO operations, maintenance, avionics, aircraft charter and management, flight training, and interior completions. Its Minneapolis-based subsidiary, Premier Jet Center (KFCM), complements these services and is home to Exclusive Aircraft Sales, an IADA-accredited dealer.

Source: Fargo Jet Center
Photo Credit: Fargo Jet Center

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US Univesity Enhances Flight Training Operations with Flight Schedule Pro, Boosting Utilization by Up to 30%

USA – Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), home to one of the largest university aviation programs in the United States, has increased aircraft and instructor utilization by up to 30% after adopting Flight Schedule Pro. The platform has unified scheduling, training, and maintenance operations across its Department of Aerospace, helping over 900 students and 120 instructors manage a growing fleet of 47 aircraft with greater efficiency and compliance.

  • MTSU’s Department of Aerospace needed a streamlined system to replace fragmented paper-based records and disconnected digital tools.
  • “We have over 700 people interacting with the flight school every day—usability and efficiency are everything.” – Michael Gref, Chief Instructor, MTSU
  • Flight Schedule Pro enabled centralized control of scheduling, maintenance, student records, and training paths.
  • Since implementation, the university has seen a 15–30% improvement in aircraft and instructor utilization.
  • Digital records now meet FAA, TSA, and VA compliance standards with reduced administrative burden.
  • Instructors can monitor student progress in real time, quickly identify delays, and improve graduation timelines.
  • Integrated with LogTen Pilot Logbook, the system supports career readiness and airline placement opportunities.
  • Flight Schedule Pro’s scalable system allows MTSU to grow operations without sacrificing oversight or quality.
  • MTSU plans to expand its use of the platform’s reporting and instructional tools to maintain its leadership in collegiate aviation.

About Flight Schedule Pro
Flight Schedule Pro is a comprehensive operations management platform designed for flight schools, aviation academies, and collegiate programs. It centralizes scheduling, training progress, maintenance tracking, and regulatory compliance in one digital system.

Source: Flight Schedule Pro
Photo Credit: Middle Tennessee State University

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Western Michigan University College of Aviation Appoints New Leadership, Expands Simulator Fleet

Battle Creek, Michigan, USA – Western Michigan University (WMU) College of Aviation has announced two key leadership appointments as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen academic and training excellence.

  • Kyle Jehnzen has been appointed Faculty Chair, bringing experience from his previous role as a faculty member in flight science.

  • Jason DeGeorge has been named Associate Dean, following his tenure as Faculty Chair where he contributed significantly to academic leadership.

  • The College of Aviation is one of the largest public university aviation programs in the United States, with around 1,100 undergraduate students enrolled.

  • Earlier this year, WMU expanded its training infrastructure with the addition of four Frasca TRAC20 G7 flight simulators to support its growing pilot training operations.

  • In July 2023, WMU also entered a fleet renewal agreement with Cirrus Aircraft, upgrading its current 28 SR20s to 32 TRAC20 G7 aircraft to align with evolving industry training standards.

Source: WMU Aviation

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U.S. Resumes Student Visa Processing Amid Enhanced Social Media Screening

United States – The U.S. Department of State has issued a directive to all U.S. embassies and consulates to resume scheduling student visa interviews (F, M, and J categories) effective 18 June 2025, formally ending a processing pause that began on 27 May and extended nearly four weeks into the peak visa season.

  • The pause, which impacted both first-time and returning applicants for U.S. student and exchange visitor visas, came during a critical application window—May to August—when the majority of U.S. student visas are typically issued.

  • In 2024, 70% of all U.S. student visas were issued during this four-month period, underlining the importance of timely processing for incoming international students

  • Along with the resumption of interview scheduling, the State Department has implemented new screening guidelines requiring consular officers to assess applicants’ social media and online presence.

  • Student visa applicants are also advised to ensure their social media accounts are set to “public” to allow proper review by visa authorities.

Source: US Department of State

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US Air Carrier JSX to Launch ATR Operations with LoI for Up to 25 ATR

USA – ATR, the world’s leading manufacturer of regional aircraft is proud to announce that JSX intends to begin ATR operations in late 2025. The Texas-based, award-winning public charter air carrier will lease two ATR 42-600s to expand its hop-on service, reaching more private terminals, Fixed Base Operators, and underserved airports across the United States. The ATR operations will be supported by a comprehensive ATR Global Maintenance Agreement to maximise aircraft availability and reliability.

Committed to offering safe, seamless transportation for all, JSX will offer its customers a premium configuration that is part of the ATR HighLine cabin collection, featuring a spacious interior with plans to certify and install Starlink high-speed internet connectivity. The aircraft will be fit with 30 premium seats, offering business class legroom, complementary cocktails and gourmet snacks inflight.

This announcement charts future growth for both JSX and ATR, with a Letter of Intent for 15+10 new ATR HighLine-equipped aircraft – either ATR 42-600s with 30 premium seats or All-Business Class ATR 72-600s with 30 seats. This partnership marks ATR’s entry into the United States’ robust public charter market, opening pathways to new route opportunities with industry-leading airfield performance, quieter propulsion, and lower, more efficient operating costs.

“The ATR -600 series will bring over 1,000 new airports into reach for JSX, expanding access to reliable public charter flights across the great United States. Many of these airports were, until now, reserved only for those who had the means to fly private,” says Alex Wilcox, JSX Chief Executive Officer. “I am confident that our Customers will love the ATR product, not just for the variety of new routes it allows JSX to operate, but also for its quiet cabin and comfortable seating. When paired with our award-winning JSX hospitality, the addition of the ATR marks an innovative step forward in our company’s unyielding mission to increase the safety, speed, and convenience of air travel that moves our country forward.”

Nathalie Tarnaud-Laude, Chief Executive Officer at ATR, added: “We are delighted to welcome JSX as a new ATR operator and to see our aircraft entering a dynamic new market segment in the United States. JSX’s unique model, blending the exclusivity of private aircraft-style travel with the efficiency of regional aviation, is a perfect match for our ATR HighLine cabin collection. This partnership underscores the growing demand for low-emission, high-end air travel, powered by the unmatched performance of turboprop technology. We look forward to supporting JSX’s vision and further reinforcing ATR as the leading choice for regional aviation in the U.S.”

ABOUT JSX
Founded in 2016, JSX is a ‘hop-on’ public charter service that’s faster on the ground, more comfortable in the air, and is competitively priced. JSX operates up to 140 public charter flights daily to 27 leisure and business destinations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Mexico. The air carrier currently operates 48 ERJ family aircraft and employs over 1,000 Crewmembers.

Source: ATR
Photo Credit: ATR

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