Market Intelligence: North and Central Asia

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Elite Simulation Solutions

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Christopher Reville – Chief Commercial Officer at ELITE Simulation Solutions AG, a global provider of IFR train­ing soft­ware, flight con­trols and flight train­ing devices.

The conversation covers:

  1. Evolution and Product Range: ELITE Simulation Solutions, founded in 1987, began as a simulation software company and evolved into a global solution provider of flight training devices. They offer a wide range of products, from basic desktop simulators to advanced flight simulators for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, catering to civilian, military, and educational sectors.
  2. Customizable Solutions and Innovation: A key strength of ELITE is its ability to develop tailored solutions for clients, thanks to in-house control over both hardware and software. This agility enables the company to adapt quickly to specific customer needs, such as developing bespoke dual-pilot configurations or integrating unique avionics setups.
  3. Global Reach and Impact: With installations across the world, including in the US, Europe, Africa, and Asia, ELITE’s devices serve various organizations, from universities and flight schools to government aviation authorities. Recent projects include the delivery of an FNPT II simulator to Brno University of Technology in the Czech Republic, a Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) for Cameroon’s Ministry of Interior Civil Aviation Authority, and an A320 FTD Level 4 simulator in Santiago, Chile.
  4. Commitment to Quality and Safety: ELITE emphasizes Swiss-engineered precision, ensuring high-quality flight models that meet and exceed regulatory standards. Their devices are designed to provide realistic training and enhance safety through accurate simulation of high-risk scenarios, thereby preparing pilots effectively.
  5. Industry Trends and Forward-Thinking Vision: The company is actively tracking trends like VR, mixed reality, and emerging aircraft types such as UAVs and EVTOLs. While cautious about adopting new technology, ELITE prioritizes meaningful advancements that improve training value, focusing on enhancing safety and cost efficiency for flight schools and aviation organizations.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

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Airbus Delivers 84 Aircraft in November 2024, Total Deliveries Reach 643 for the Year

Toulouse, France-headquartered aircraft manufacturer Airbus has released its November 2024 order and delivery report, providing insights into its production and market activity. The report highlights key figures for November and year-to-date performance.

  • November 2024 Deliveries: 84 aircraft delivered to 42 customers.
  • November 2024 Gross Orders: 30 new orders.
  • 2024 Deliveries to Date: 643 aircraft delivered to 82 customers.

Cumulative Data (As of November 2024):

  • Total Orders Across All Aircraft Types: 24,537 units, with single-aisle aircraft (e.g., A320 family) dominating at 19,898 orders.
  • Total Deliveries to Date: 15,840 units delivered, with single-aisle aircraft accounting for 12,152.
  • Aircraft in Operation: 14,012 globally, including 11,241 single-aisle aircraft.

Note: The data excludes two A330-900s delivered to Air Belgium via Airbus Financial Services.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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Aircraft Manufacturer, Airbus, Announces 2025 Appointment for Chief Human Resources Officer

Airbus announced the appointment of Carmen-Maja Rex as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective 1 April 2025. In this role, she will be a member of the Executive Committee and report to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. Carmen-Maja Rex is currently Human Resources Group Director at Heidelberg Materials, one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions.

After nearly 22 years with Airbus, the last 12 of which as Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the Airbus Executive Committee, Thierry Baril will leave the Company later in 2025, after having ensured a smooth transition with his successor.

“The bold transformation that Airbus will now undertake to meet its current and future challenges requires a skilled, diverse and motivated global workforce. I’m looking forward to working with Carmen-Maja and further engaging the Airbus teams in pursuit of our inspiring purpose,” said Guillaume Faury. “In doing so, she will build on the great foundations established by Thierry during his 12-year tenure as Chief Human Resources Officer. Thierry has played a pivotal role in the transformation of Airbus over the years, positioning HR as a strategic function in times of deep change. I’m grateful for Thierry’s engagement, drive and resilience which have led to many Company successes. It has always been a pleasure to have him as a close ally, and I wish him well in this next phase of his professional career.”

Carmen-Maja Rex started her career as a consultant with Accenture in 1999, before joining the United Nations in 2003. In 2010, she started at Siemens where she held a number of leadership roles in Human Resources. In 2020, she became HR Group Director at Heidelberg Materials which employs a global workforce of 51,000 employees located in over 50 countries.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – MPS

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Erik Jennes – Chief Commercial Officer at MPS (Multi Pilot Simulations) – a leading manufacturer of flight simulation training devices (including Boeing 737 NG/MAX and Airbus A320 ceo/neo).

The conversation covers:

  • Core Offering: MPS specializes in high-fidelity fixed-base simulators for single-aisle aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. The company emphasizes “smarter simulators,” integrating advanced training options and using real aircraft components to ensure precision and safety.
  • Global Airline Partnerships: MPS has been expanding its airline customer base, with installations in countries like the U.S., U.K., Panama, and Canada. Notable partnerships include Frontier Airlines, Jet2, Copa Airlines, and Ryanair. This reflects a shift from ATO-focused sales to increasing collaboration with airlines.
  • Trends in Pilot Training: Erik highlighted that there is a growing emphasis on eco-friendly solutions, sustainability in production, and leveraging AI for enhanced simulation environments and objective performance reviews. Additionally, remote learning through VR and AR is becoming a significant trend.
  • Challenges in the Industry: Supply chain issues, high data package costs, and difficulty in finding skilled personnel—both for production and simulator operation—are major challenges. MPS mitigates these with innovative hiring practices, alternative supply options, and focusing on sustainable operations.
  • Future Outlook: Despite temporary slowdowns, long-term pilot demand is expected to rise significantly. MPS remains committed to high-quality FTDs, seeing them as a cost-efficient and effective training tool over full-flight simulators.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

To stay up to date and get notified about all of the latest episodes from AFM you can follow us through the below platforms:

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Flight School Management Software Provider, Flight Schedule Pro, Appoints 2024 Chief Marketing Officer

USA – Flight Schedule Pro, a software solutions provider specializing in flight training and pilot management, has appointed Bryan Landaburu as its new Chief Marketing Officer. The announcement comes as the company, part of the Mainsail Partners portfolio, focuses on consolidating its recent acquisitions and redefining its market approach.

  • Landaburu brings significant expertise in marketing to support Flight Schedule Pro’s strategic growth initiatives.
  • Flight Schedule Pro has achieved dominant market leadership in the flight training software sector, with over 50% of flight schools and airline cadet programs utilizing its services.
  • Since its acquisition by Mainsail Partners in 2022, the company has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Coradine Aviation, LogTen Pilot Logbook, and Pilotbase.
  • Over 50,000 professional pilots currently log their flights daily using Flight Schedule Pro’s applications.
  • The organization is focused on creating a new, unified category that maximizes the potential of its combined brands, with an emphasis on maintaining pilots as the central figure in its narrative.

Statements:

  • “I am pleased to announce that I recently joined Mainsail Partners portfolio company, Flight Schedule Pro, as their Chief Marketing Officer. This is an exciting opportunity and a great fit for me,” said Bryan Landaburu. “In order for these strategic acquisitions to harmonize and realize their combined potential, we must rewrite the story and construct a new category. Staying true to the roots of our business, pilots will remain the hero of our story.”

Learn more about Flight Schedule Pro or Mr. Landaburu by connecting with him through his LinkedIn profile here.

Source: Bryan Landaburu (Flight Schedule Pro)
Photo Credit: Flight Schedule Pro

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