Market Intelligence: -Simulator Training Center

Icelandair Invests in CAE Full-Flight Simulator to Train Airbus A320 and A321 Pilots in Reykjavík

Icelandair and CAE announced an agreement for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Airbus A320-family full-flight simulator (FFS) to support the entry-into-service of the airline’s new Airbus A321 fleet in 2025. The new CAE FFS sold to Icelandair will be installed at the CAE Reykjavík – Icelandair Flight Training Centre, a joint venture between the two companies, and will be ready for training by the end of 2025.

“We are thrilled to announce our new contract with CAE and to continue fostering our fruitful partnership,” said Sylvia Kristin Olafsdottir, CCO of Icelandair. “The new simulator will allow us to continue providing world-class training in Iceland, giving us the flexibility and agility needed to expand our route network, introduce new destinations, and grow our pilot group accordingly. As an island nation, Iceland heavily relies on air transport and as the leading airline, we recognize the importance of having such facilities within the country, ensuring top-notch training opportunities for pilots.”

“The acquisition of this Airbus A320-family full-flight simulator is a significant milestone in our partnership with Icelandair, and we look forward to supporting their pilot training in anticipation of the arrival of the A321 into their fleet,” said Michel Azar-Hmouda, CAE’s Division President, Commercial Aviation. “The advanced technology in this new FFS will give pilots the skill and confidence to safely fly the A321 and provide the customer experience for which Icelandair is also renowned.”

This latest generation FFS is designed to replicate the flight characteristics and systems of the Airbus A320. Equipped with high-fidelity visuals, an immersive cockpit environment, and realistic flight dynamics, the simulator will serve as a critical training tool for pilots, ensuring they are thoroughly prepared to operate the new aircraft safely and efficiently.

In addition to being used for initial training and type rating, the FFS will also be used for the twice-annual recurrent training pilots must complete, ensuring they remain proficient and current in their skills and knowledge.

About Icelandair

With an extensive route network, Icelandair uses the unique geographical location of Iceland as a hub midway between Europe and North America offering direct flights to more than 50 destinations. Additional to the international route network, Icelandair operates a domestic network in Iceland, an airfreight and logistics business as well as aircraft leasing and consulting services. 

Since its foundation in 1937, Icelandair has steadily expanded its route network and, in 2023, transported 4.3 million passengers to 55 destinations in Europe and North America, employed around 3,600 full-time employees and generated total revenue of USD 1.5 billion.

About CAE Civil Aviation Training

CAE – Civil Aviation elevates and advances human performance by providing holistic and immersive training solutions for professionals in business and commercial aviation. Whether for pilots, maintenance technicians, cabin crew or air traffic controllers, we help keep aircraft in the skies with exceptionally trained professionals ready to take on any challenge safely. We operate 70+ facilities on five continents, training over 135,000 business and commercial professionals annually.

About CAE 

At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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Funded Avia Solutions Group Abinitio Pilot Training Program Now Accepting Applications from European Aspiring Pilots

Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, with a fleet of 212 aircraft, via its subsidiary BAA Training launched its sponsored abinitio program – Pilot Runway – in April 2024. The financed training program with a job guarantee. The 200 new pilots a year program anticipates the Group’s global expansion and growth and will be run in partnership with the Group’s ACMI companies, starting with Avion Express.

The group has shared that applications are now open for its inaugural program starting in August 2024.

Pilot Runway’s students will follow the Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) program, which provides extensive experience in piloting Airbus or Boeing aircraft. Upon graduation, students will receive the globally recognized EASA Pilot License, which is valid in Europe and beyond. They will also be guaranteed a job at one of the biggest ACMI airlines operated by Avia Solutions Group. Prospective students will be offered partial funding covering a substantial part of the tuition fees, whereas specific airlines will offer the necessary loans to cover the remaining study costs. Several years ago, BAA already tested this kind of project in one of the regions it is operating in.

Marijus Ravoitis, CEO at BAA Training, mentions the two-fold benefit of the project: “The Pilot Runway program is going to make a big difference in the world of aviation. First, it will level the playing field for people dreaming of becoming pilots, making it easier to start their education without having to worry about financing. Second, it will provide airlines with a steady stream of new pilots.”

Pilot Runway program students will be studying at BAA Training schools. BAA Training offers comprehensive aviation training solutions for pilots, ranging from Ab Initio training to Type Rating, available across multiple locations, including Spain, Lithuania, France, and Vietnam. Every year, the organization processes around 100,000 flight hours in its own full-flight simulators and flight training devices, and provides Type Rating for more than 1200 pilots, serving over 100 airlines and 300 private customers. The company invests in the latest tools and resources to be the top choice pilot school. Recently it acquired 48 Cessna 172 Skyhawks, adding them to the existing fleet of full-flight simulators and flight training devices for Airbus A320, Boeing 737 MAX, Boeing 737 NG, Boeing 737 CL, and Boeing B747-400 types.

Information on partner airline: Avion Express

  • Growing fleet of 50+ Airbus A320 family aircraft
  • Operates in Europe, Asia-Pacific & the Americas
  • Services over 17 bases during 2024 season
  • Team of over 600 flight crew
  • First ACMI airline to have its own dedicated Airbus A320 simulator

For more information check out the Pilot Runway website.

Source: Pilot Runway
Photo Credit: Pilot Runway

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Global Pilot Training Group CAE is Looking to Hire a Regional Sales Manager for New Business Aviation Training Centre in Austria

CAE is currently seeking a Regional Sales Manager to join its global Business and Helicopter Aviation Training Sales team at the soon-to-open Business Aviation Training Centre in Vienna, Austria. Scheduled to launch in early 2025, this new centre will introduce the first Bombardier Global 7500 full-flight simulator (FFS) in Europe, enhancing pilot training accessibility for regional operators.

The Vienna facility will initially host six state-of-the-art FFSs, including the Global 7500 and a Global 6000 Vision, with plans for additional simulators from leading business jet manufacturers. Spanning 8,000 square meters, the purpose-built centre is designed for future expansion, accommodating up to nine FFSs to deliver advanced pilot training services in Central Europe.

Please see an extract of the job post below.

“Key responsibilities of the role:

  • Understand the market in which CAE conduct its business, remaining close to the user and relevant stakeholders.
  • Ensure that opportunities are identified at the earliest stage to facilitate initial marketing contacts and positioning and to identify competitor’s strengths and weaknesses to determine CAE’s competitive advantage.
  • Generate a budget for approval by the Sales Director to pursue the identified opportunities which require external and/or internal resources.
  • Ensure that prospective partners are identified that reduces project risks and increase bid discriminators.
  • Present a bid strategy to Senior Management, which will highlight the value of the opportunity, the potential partners, the technology requirements, the potential win price and the CAE discriminators.
  • Identify and manage the bid team within the agreed budget to meet timescales and Company profitability targets whilst producing a winning bid.
  • Negotiate, when appropriate, with the customer during the bid appraisal stage prior to preferred bidder announcement.
  • Conclude final pricing, terms and conditions in conjunction with the Senior Management.
  • Transfer accountability for project execution to the Programme/Project Manager on completion of the internal contract review.
  • Play an active role in Company exhibitions, demonstrations and public relations.

Ideal candidate profile:

  • Minimum of 8 to 12 years of relevant experience in a fast-paced environment.
  • Business aviation or airline experience desirable.
  • Thorough sales and marketing experience within a project environment.
  • Experience of managing the bid process.
  • Ability to work to tight deadlines.
  • Fluency in English and German“

If you are interested, check out this LinkedIn job post to apply.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE (shown as meta image)

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Southeast Asian Pilot Simulator Training Center BAA Training Vietnam Welcomes 38th Batch of Indian Pilots for A320 Type Rating Program

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam based full flight simualtor training center BAA Training Vietnam, a branch of global pilot training group BAA Training and a member of Avia Solutions Group, welcomed another 8 Indian cadets for their A320 type rating. BAA Training Vietnam had trained 160 Indian pilots before the start of 2024.

The training center recently added a B737 NG FFS, the first full flight simulator of the Boeing model at BAA Training Vietnam, expanding the infrastructure to three full flight simulators (the other two being Airbus A320 FFS).

Source: Steven Huang (BAA Training Vietnam)
Photo Credit: Steven Huang (BAA Training Vietnam)

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