Philippines Pilot Training Group Holds Graduation Ceremony for 18 Airline Pilot Program Cadet Pilots

A joint graduation ceremony was held on 26 August 2023 to formally recognize and send-off 18 cadet pilots who successfully finished Alpha Aviation Group’s Airline Pilot Program (APP) at AAG’s aviation and pilot training facilities headquartered in Clark, Philippines.

“It was during my time here in AAG that I discovered my calling and purpose. I’m certain of this because even on tiring days, I would still happily show up the next day to fly,” shares First Officer Paula Nicole Lasmarias in her celebratory message as a graduate with distinction.

H.E Sarin Kunakor, SSCA Director General, Kingdom of Cambodia, graced the ceremony as the guest of honor and speaker. He lauded the graduates for their perseverance and dedication to their dreams, even as the pandemic hit in the midst of their training in 2020. “You have proven yourself capable of soaring high beyond challenges. Now you are more than ready to reach new heights and conquer the sky with confidence,” Kunakor shares.

Also present in the ceremony were Capt. Gaudencio Maniano, AICAT Accountable Manager, and Capt. Anthony Tan, AAGP Head of Training. They reassured the graduates and their loved ones of AAG’s continuous support throughout their journey in the aviation industry.

Source: Alpha Aviation Group
Photo Credit:  Alpha Aviation Group

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Global Pilot Training Group, Simaero, Announces Strategic Partnership with Plans to Invest US$75 Million into Development of Training Infrastructure in S.E. Asian Country

Simaero, a leading global provider of airline pilot training with over 20 years of experience and locations in France, South Africa, China, and India, announced their upcoming expansion plan in Malaysia at the opening ceremony of Selangor Air Show 2023 (SAS 2023) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MBI Selangor.

A strategic partnership with MBI Selangor as part of the development of a one-stop center for aerospace in the ASEAN region

On September 7th, the Selangor Air Show 2023, a significant Business Aviation Show in Southeast Asia, commenced with an exchange of the MoU that was signed between Simaero and MBI Selangor. Simaero’s Chairman, Mr. Eric Renault, and MBI Selangor’s CEO, Pn. Hajah Norita binti Mohd. Sidek, represented their respective organizations. This MoU enhances the bilateral cooperation between the two entities to strengthen the aviation training sector in Malaysia.

This cooperation commitment is part of the Selangor Aero Park (SAP) development project in Sepang as outlined in the RS-1, which is the roadmap developed by Selangor State in its aspiration to be a Smart, Liveable and Prosperous State. The SAP project is a major initiative of Selangor’s state government that aims to create, over the next ten years, a one-stop center for aerospace in the ASEAN region. The future center will provide infrastructure, facilities, and services for aerospace and aviation-related businesses.

Simaero, as a Training Organization (ATO) approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), will provide its expertise in flight simulator operations, pilot and cabin crew training solutions, and simulator engineering services through a direct presence in the country and by developing the aviation training-related skills of local talents.

“The Malaysian airlines are at a turning point in their development. They have the opportunity to grow steadily over the next few years, and they need to access high-standard resources that meet their local CAA requirements to do it successfully. By participating in this exciting SAP project, Simaero could help them meet their needs and access standardized, high-quality aviation training,” affirms Mr. Nicolas Mouté, CEO of Simaero.

Invest Selangor Berhad, through the Selangor Darul Ehsan Aerospace Industry Coordination Office (SDAICO), plays a crucial role in facilitating Simaero’s strategic expansion in the dynamic aviation market of Asia, fostering greater connectivity and growth opportunities for both parties in the region.

An aviation training center aimed at centralizing high-quality training and promoting local expertise

The future facility will be designed to regroup all aviation training equipment in a welcoming atmosphere, including full-flight simulator bays, and complete cabin crew & ground crew training facilities. Simaero will collaborate with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to ensure the training center receives all necessary authority approvals to provide first-grade training programs.

As Simaero aims to strengthen aviation training standards further locally and address the increasing demand for aviation training facilities in the country and regionally, the facility will be equipped with advanced market-specific full flight simulators in line with the current aircraft types operated by Malaysian and the regional airline operators such as B737 Max, A320 Neo, etc.

The estimated total FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is valued at USD 75 million (approx. RM 348 million) in the span of 8-10 years’ timeline and is expected to create dozens of job opportunities for Malaysians in the aviation training field of expertise.

About Simaero

Simaero is a leading player worldwide in Full Flight Simulators operations and Pilot Training. Headquartered in Paris, France, Simaero gives its 250 customers access to over 30 Full Flight Simulators in its five locations in Paris CDG and Dinard, France; Johannesburg, South Africa; Delhi, India and Zhengzhou, China. Simaero is an Approved Training Organization for pilots, certified by EASA and more than 40 other civil aviation authorities, including South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Brazil, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and UAE. Its academy offers a complete set of Type Rating training solutions covering a comprehensive range of aircraft types, including Airbus A320, A330, A340, and A350; Boeing 737, B757, B767, B777, B787; ATR 42/72-500/600, ERJ 145, Beech 1900, Dash 8, MD80/82, and Fokker 100. Simaero also provides Simulator Engineering Services to numerous customers across the world. The service includes simulator relocation, repair, upgrade, and preparation for certification and operation. In Joint Venture with HNCA, Simaero provides simulator engineering and maintenance services in China.

About MBI Selangor and Invest Selangor Berhad

Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) is a body that was established to administer assets and investments of the State Government, and to represent the State in economic and business activities that are beyond the state government’s jurisdictions. MBI Selangor also plays a role towards promoting and supporting the state government’s development efforts as well as to carry out social responsibility obligations for the public. Invest Selangor Berhad is the investment promotion agency for the State of Selangor, Malaysia, and facilitates the inflow of domestic and foreign direct investment into the State of Selangor. To better serve Selangor’s Aerospace industry players located in the State of Selangor, Malaysia, they have the Selangor Darul Ehsan Aerospace Industry Coordination Office (S-DAICO). S-DAICO acts as the official secretariat for the state government of Selangor for all matters pertaining to the development of Aerospace in Selangor. Their roles include strategizing and execution of projects with the Selangor
State Government, together with the State Government Linked Companies (GLCs), and the Federal Government and its agencies for the development of the aerospace industry within the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

Source: SIMAERO
Photo Credit: SIMAERO

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Global Pilot Training Group FlightSafety International to Deploy a Full Flight Simulator to Paris Training Center

FlightSafety International, in partnership with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, announced they will deploy a fourth full-flight simulator (FFS) for the Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet to meet the growing demand for training in Europe.

This simulator will be the second PC-24 simulator in the FlightSafety Paris Le Bourget Learning Center. The new simulator is planned to be ready for training during the second quarter of 2024. The other two simulators for this specific aircraft are located in the FlightSafety Dallas-Fort Worth North Learning Center.

“FlightSafety is pleased to offer expanded capacity to meet the demand in Europe for the growing fleet of PC-24 operators,” said Nate Speiser, Executive Vice President of FlightSafety Sales and Marketing. “FlightSafety has trained over 1,000 PC-24 pilots since introducing training for this aircraft in 2013 and we are excited to continue to advance our partnership with Pilatus for this program.”

“Pilatus’s continuous work and close collaboration with FlightSafety International has led to a consolidated solid partnership and professional training of PC-24 pilots. We are pleased to welcome the fourth PC-24 flight simulator in the PC-24 community. A great opportunity to fulfill future training demands while improving availability for all our current customers and operators,” commented Ignaz Gretener, VP General Aviation.

The PC-24 Super Versatile Jet is a uniquely designed aircraft providing a highly desirable set of comforts and benefits to its passengers and operators. The PC-24 offers a larger passenger cabin with a continuous flat floor and a pressurized baggage compartment. Its excellent short-field performance combined with its capability to operate from both paved and unpaved runways make the PC-24 a unique business jet capable of exploring locations and airfields not easily accessible by other similar class aircraft.

About Pilatus

Founded in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd develops and produces the world’s most unique aircraft: from the legendary PC-12, the best-selling single-engine turboprop in its class, to the PC-7 MKX and PC-21 and associated simulators, the market-leading systems for pilot training. The brand-new PC-24 is the world’s first-ever business jet designed for use on short unprepared runways. The Pilatus team consists of over 2,500 exceptional employees who make the company, which is domiciled in Stans, one of the largest and most innovative employers in Central Switzerland. The Pilatus Group also includes independent subsidiaries in the USA and Australia. Pilatus provides training for over 140 apprentices in various professions – job training for young people has always been a very high priority. Pilatus remains committed to Switzerland as a hub for work and new ideas, and acts in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner at all times.

About FlightSafety International

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides training for pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Source: FlightSafety International
Photo Credit: FlightSafety International

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Airline Owned airBaltic Pilot Academy Celebrates Fifth Anniversary and Students Graduating under Airline Transport Pilot Program

On September 4, 2023, during a special event, the fifth anniversary of the Latvian national airline’s airBaltic Pilot Academy was celebrated. At the same time, six students graduated from the Academy, receiving a commercial pilot license upon completion of the full-time airline transport pilot program. In addition, already the 19th group of 12 students began their professional pilot studies. Moreover, it is important to emphasize, that Mrs. Ilonda Stepanova, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia, complimented the event with her presence.

Pauls Cālītis, Member of the Board at airBaltic: “These five years have flown by, during which we have successfully introduced a new and modern educational program for aspiring commercial pilots. We take pride in the Academy’s established reputation over the years, earning international recognition. This is not only confirmed by the substantial demand from students eager to enrol, but also by the proven success of our graduates, demonstrating excellent professional careers.”

“Also, we are very proud of the most recent graduates of the Pilot Academy. In order to join the team of airBaltic very soon, some of them will start further training this month. Highly-trained personnel is one of the key factors of successful operations at any airline. Also, we congratulate the young and determined students of the 19th group, who started their studies today,” Cālītis added.

The latest graduates represent countries such as Latvia, France, Spain and Italy.

There are 103 active students at the airBaltic Pilot Academy at the moment. Most of them are from Baltic countries, however, there are students also from other EU countries such as Germany, France, Finland, Spain and Italy among others. Overall, more than 10% of airBaltic Pilot Academy students are female. As for now, 89 students, after graduating, have joined airBaltic as First Officers.

Since May 2022, airBaltic Pilot Academy has improved the payment structure for its commercial pilot study program. As of now, after successfully passing the company’s assessment, airBaltic will finance a significant part of the studies.

Students of the airBaltic Pilot Academy will now have to cover the costs of studies until obtaining a private pilot license level, costing approximately EUR 25 000. After passing airBaltic pilot assessment and becoming an employee of the company, the airline will provide financing (loan) for the rest of the studies.

Source: airBaltic Pilot Academy
Photo Credit: airBaltic Pilot Academy

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Global Pilot Training Group, CAE, Shares Insights on How it is Becoming a CBTA Training Organization

Global pilot training group CAE shares its latest publication on how the group is becoming a CBTA Training organization, and why this shift is so important for the next generation of pilots.

“At CAE, weare constantly evolving to improve safety standards in pilot training,” said CAE. “Through the utilization of high-tech solutions, design, and data analysis, we are actively developing an innovative approach to meeting the increasing safety demands of today’s operating environment.”

Check out the full article here.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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US Airline Set to Unveil its New Simulator Training Center in Orlando Early 2024

Low-cost US carrier Avelo Airlines, in partnership with Avenger Flight Group, announced it is set to open its top-of-the-line simulator training facility for Avelo pilots and flight attendants. The over 120,000 sq.ft. training center based in Orlando, Florida is set to open early next year.

Check out the facility through the video below.

Source: Avelo Airlines
Photo Credit: Avelo Airlines (shown as meta image)

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