Market Intelligence: South East Asia

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – FTD.aero

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Filip Witczak – Product Manager at FTD.aero, a Non-Motion Flight Training Devices Manufacturer based in Poland with expertise in designing and manufacturing flight simulators since 2009.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Background and Growth: FTD.aero, founded in 2009 by Filip Witczak, Cpt. Marcin Ambroziak and Krzysztof (Chris) Kimnes, began as a passion-driven startup in Poland and has grown into a 30-person team specializing in non-motion flight simulators. The company develops Boeing and Airbus-based simulators, offering both type-specific and type-representative devices for global clients, including airlines, flight schools, and universities.
  • Key Products and Innovations: FTD.aero provides EASA and FAA-compliant simulators, including the B737 MAX/NG and A320 models. Devices are tailored to client needs, offering high-fidelity cockpits with many original components for immersive, cost-effective training compared to Level D full-flight simulators. FTD.aero uses ARINC and CANBUS for compatibility with aviation standards and increased reliability. Their in-house engineering allows for full flexibility in configuration and future upgrades of each device built by them.
  • Partnerships and Projects: FTD.aero recently partnered with South Korean airline T’way Air to deliver a B738 simulator convertible to a B73M model to adapt to the airline’s changing fleet. Other successful long-term partnerships include LOT Polish Airlines, Urbe Aero Flight Academy (Italy) and VDL Aviation (Poland), reflecting strong customer satisfaction and trust.
  • Expansion and Market Outlook: The company is targeting international markets, including the booming Indian market, to meet increasing pilot training demands driven by aircraft orders and airline growth. Filip sees opportunities in advanced technologies like AI, VR, and AR to enhance pilot training and address instructor shortages.
  • Challenges and Vision: Filip highlighted regulatory delays as a challenge for adopting advanced training technologies and emphasized the need for updated standards. FTD.aero remains focused on providing tailored, high-quality solutions, emphasizing customer partnerships, long-term support, and cost-effective training for a global market.

For more information:

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

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Philippine Air Force Provides Decommissioned Turbine Engines to Flight School to Boost Aviation Training

Cavite, Philippines – Cebu headquartered flight school Airworks Aviation Company, Inc. marked a key milestone in its mission to prepare aspiring aviation professionals with the turnover ceremony of decommissioned turbine engines by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at Danilo Atienza Airbase. This collaboration underscores the importance of investing in education and human capital for the country’s aviation sector.

  • The turnover of turbine engines provides valuable training resources for Airworks Aviation students, enabling hands-on experience essential for airline readiness.
  • The initiative reflects a growing focus on public-private partnerships (PPPs) in educational development, an area often overshadowed by large infrastructure projects.
  • Key PAF officials involved include Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, Brig. Gen. Juliano Llarenas, Col. Rover Sobrino, and Ms. Trina Estrada, who facilitated the resource-sharing partnership.
  • Airworks Aviation President Vincent Charles Ong emphasized the transformational impact of such partnerships on the next generation of aviation professionals.

Statements

  • “This low-key partnership with the government is just a drop in the bucket, but the impact this will have on the students who will get to train in these engines will be transformational,” said Vincent Charles Ong, President of Airworks Aviation Company.

Source: Vincent Charles Ong (Airworks Aviation Company)
Photo Credit: Vincent Charles Ong (Airworks Aviation Company)

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Flight School Management Software Solutions Provider, Private-Radar, Reflects on Growth and Impact in 2024

Madrid, Spain – headquartered Private-Radar, a global provider of aviation training management solutions, marked its 10th anniversary in 2024, showcasing significant achievements in automation, safety, and efficiency within the pilot training industry. The company supports over 120 aviation training institutions globally, with key milestones highlighting its growth, innovation, and social impact.

  • 2024 Highlights:
    • Supported 70,000 users with its Flight School Management System.
    • Managed 820,000 bookings and recorded 510,000 flight hours.
    • Installed 700 Flight-Trackers in aircraft worldwide.
  • Solution Improvements:
    • Launched over 30 new features and updates, including an 80% redesign of the Schedule page for improved user experience and performance.
  • Company Expansion:
    • Partnered with 30+ new training institutions across 12 countries, with new markets in Kazakhstan, Romania, Ireland, and Cyprus.
    • Expanded its team to 18 staff members.
  • Event Participation:
    • Las Vegas FSANA (USA)
    • Berlin Pilot-Expo (Germany)
    • Friedrichshafen AERO (Germany)
    • Cascais EATS (Portugal)
    • Vancouver ATAC (Canada)
  • Social Responsibility:
    • Partnered with UK charity Wings for Warriors to provide its solutions free of charge, supporting wounded service members in professional pilot training.
    • Continued contributions to global charities including UNICEF, Oxfam, and Action Against Hunger.

About Private-Radar
Private-Radar, based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Community of Madrid, Spain, offers a flexible and user-friendly Flight School Management System and Aircraft Tracking System. Private-Radar enables pilot training centers of all sizes to efficiently manage every aspect of flight and ground training. Our solutions are made for students, instructors, and staff giving your organization full control of all training, administrative, and finance information. Private-Radar will allow you to simplify complex tasks such as scheduling flight and ground lessons, following student progress, reporting, invoicing, and keeping track of aircraft maintenance. You will always be compliant and ready for audits.

Source: Private-Radar
Photo Credit: Private-Radar

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CAE is Seeking to Hire a Simulator Technician II in Jakarta, Indonesia in December 2024

Jakarta, Indonesia – Global pilot training solution provider and full flight simulator training center operator CAE is hiring a Simulator Technician II to be based at the Lion Air Training Center. The role involves maintaining full-flight simulators in optimal condition and ensuring high-quality performance for training operations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Perform preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on simulators and associated systems
  • Conduct pre-flight and post-flight checks, visual alignments, and evaluate QTG results
  • Train technicians in basic skills and support refurbishment and hardware modifications
  • Manage spare parts inventory, consumables, and technical documentation
  • Record and track maintenance activities using the maintenance management system
  • Provide customer service and address technical issues promptly

Candidate Requirements

  • 2-year technical degree or equivalent related training
  • Minimum 3 years of simulator experience, with at least 1 year relevant to the assigned location
  • Proficiency in troubleshooting, test equipment use, and diagnostic tools for multiple simulator types
  • Experience in visual adjustments, preventive maintenance, and hardware modifications
  • Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
  • Fluency in English

Working Conditions

  • Shift rotation schedule
  • Located at Lion Air Training Center

To learn more about the role and to apply, please visit CAE’s job post.

Source: CAE

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Simnest Aviation

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Balázs Herendi – CEO of Simnest Aviation – a simulator manufacturer based in Hungary, focused on designing and manufacturing professional FSTDs.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Evolution and Achievements: Simnest Aviation, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hungary, specializes in designing and manufacturing professional flight simulation training devices (FSTDs). The company has installed multiple simulators globally, achieving milestones such as introducing the first APS MCC training in Romania.
  • Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships: Simnest collaborates with key customers like the Danish Center Air Pilot Academy, Portuguese International Flight Academy, Norwegian Redflight Aviation, fostering long-term partnerships. It recently expanded its global footprint by partnering with Avion as its exclusive sales and service partner for the APAC region, aiming for broader international growth.
  • Innovative Training Solutions: The company integrates its expertise with the Simnest Pilot Academy to enhance understanding of ATO operations. Simnest devices are designed to optimize pilot training by offering cost-effective, high-fidelity, type-representative fixed-base simulators suitable for APS MCC and MPL programs.
  • Industry Trends and Challenges: Balázs highlighted trends such as increased reliance on type-representative devices, the growing adoption of APS MCC courses, and the use of AI, VR, and simulated ATC environments. He emphasized the industry’s challenge of balancing pilot demand with maintaining training quality amid a global pilot shortage.
  • Commitment to Safety: Simnest Aviation prioritizes safety by providing realistic training environments for cadets transitioning to jet-based aircraft. It also supports customers with end-to-end services, from device manufacturing to certification and operational documentation, offering a seamless experience for flight training organizations.

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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