Market Intelligence: South East Asia

Safety and Human Factors Researcher Publishes Research Highlighting Training Background Influence on Safety Perception

Global – Captain Wesley Chan has published research conducted by Wen-Chin Li, Graham Braithwaite and himself comparing how pilots with different training backgrounds perceive and categorise accident causes under the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). The study has practical implications for airlines looking to integrate pilots from various pathways into a unified safety culture.

  • The study examined pilots from three training backgrounds: airline-sponsored cadet pilots, self-funded trainees, and ex-military aviators.

  • 121 pilots were asked to classify identical accident causal factors using the HFACS framework.

  • The research highlights the importance of culturally adaptive safety management systems (SMS) and may encourage refinements in how airlines assess and train mixed-background crews.

“We found differences between airline-sponsored, self-funded, and ex-military airline pilots on safety perceptions. Closer alignment between personal and organisational safety cultures (typical of ab-initio cadets) were associated with more precise attribution of unsafe preconditions, and less direct attributions to organisational or supervisory conditions.” stated Captain Wesley Chan.

You can check out the finding of the research here and connect with Captain Chan through his LinkedIn.

Source: Wesley Chan

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – PlaneEnglish

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Muharrem Mane – CEO & Co-Founder of PlaneEnglish. PlaneEnglish developed ARSim Aviation Radio Simulator that enables pilots to learn, practice, and master aviation phraseology and voice communication in an interactive audio and visual simulation environment.

The conversation covers:

  • Introduction to PlaneEnglish and ARSim: PlaneEnglish, co-founded by Muharrem Mane in 2018, developed ARSim, an aviation radio simulator designed to help pilots master radio communication. The tool provides interactive audio and visual simulation environments to enhance aviation phraseology and voice communication skills. Since its launch, ARSim has gained over 700,000 users in 150+ countries.
  • Partnerships and Industry Collaborations: PlaneEnglish collaborates with both civilian and military aviation institutions. Notable partners include Lift Academy, Turkish Airlines Flight Academy, and several universities. The company also works with the U.S. Air Force, supporting undergraduate pilot training and providing English language training for international pilots through the Defense Language Institute.
  • Advancements in ARSim with AI and UI Enhancements: PlaneEnglish has continuously improved ARSim by integrating AI-powered Q&A features and intuitive UI enhancements. These features help pilots better understand aviation phraseology, interact with realistic flight displays, and receive AI-assisted feedback on their communication skills. The tool now supports VFR and IFR communications across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and web.
  • Impact on Pilot Training and Industry Challenges: The aviation industry faces a high demand for pilots, with bottlenecks in instructor availability and aircraft shortages affecting training timelines. PlaneEnglish helps address these challenges by allowing students to practice radio communication before flight training, making them more confident and efficient in the cockpit. This reduces training time and enhances the learning experience.
  • Commitment to Safety and Efficiency: By enabling pilots to develop strong radio communication skills before flying, ARSim helps reduce cognitive load in real-flight scenarios, improving safety and efficiency. Instructors report that students using the simulator are more confident and require less time to grasp in-air communication, allowing them to focus on actual flight maneuvers and decision-making.

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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Avia Solutions Group Chairman Shares Point of View on Supply Chain Delays Affecting Airlines in 2025 and Beyond

Global – Avia Solutions Group, the global aviation services group headquartered in Lithuania, has highlighted the ongoing impact of aircraft delivery delays on airline operations and profitability, in a new article by the Group’s Chairman.

  • Aircraft manufactured delivered significantly less aircraft than forecast in 2024 with Boeing only delivering 348 jets and Airbus only 776.
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects over 4 billion passengers in 2025 – indicating that an expansion of seat capacity by airlines is required.
  • “However, I have long believed both market forces and strategic shifts will mean a return to business as usual by the end of the decade. And, having visited Boeing recently to officially sign our order for 80 737 MAX, I’m even more confident in that prediction.“
  • The delays are linked to pandemic-era workforce reductions, raw material shortages, and ongoing issues at engine manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney, which are grounding aircraft — Wizz Air expects around 40 aircraft to be grounded on average in 2025.
  • Airlines are losing significant revenue due to these delays. A hypothetical airline waiting on 10 aircraft capable of $1 million monthly revenue could lose $60 million over six months.
  • The high demand for narrowbodies — especially during peak seasons — and lack of available new deliveries has increased reliance on older aircraft and created a stronger market for wet lease capacity.
  • Avia Solutions Group sees this as an opportunity for ACMI providers to step in and support airlines unable to secure aircraft through direct orders or finance leases.

Source: Gediminas Ziemelis (Avia Solutions Group)

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Malaysia Airlines Places 2025 Order for 30 New Boeing Aircraft

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced the acquisition of 30 new aircraft directly from The Boeing Company as part of its fleet modernisation strategy. The order includes 18 Boeing 737-8 and 12 Boeing 737-10 aircraft powered by the CFM International* LEAP-1B engines, with options for 30 more 737 aircraft.

To mark this milestone, a commemorative ceremony was held in Putrajaya, attended by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim. Also in attendance were Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia; Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry Malaysia; Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad; Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of MAG; Dr. Brendan Nelson AO, President of Boeing Global, and Nakul Gupta, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Asia-Pacific, CFM International.
This move reinforces MAG’s position as a competitive and agile aviation group while strengthening its role in enhancing regional connectivity across key markets. The introduction of the Boeing 737-10 will also mark a significant milestone, as it will be the first narrowbody aircraft in its fleet to feature lie-flat Business Class seats, elevating the premium travel experience on regional routes.
With these new additions, MAG will gradually phase out the older generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Malaysia Airlines, aiming for a modernised narrowbody fleet of 55 Boeing 737-8 and Boeing 737-10 aircraft by 2030.

Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of MAG, said, “The Boeing 737 has been a cornerstone of our fleet since 1969, with the introduction of the first 737-100 during the Malaysia-Singapore Airlines era. It has since played a vital role in supporting the growth of our national airline. The selection of the 737-8 and 737-10 reflects a careful evaluation of our long-term growth strategy, ensuring we have the right aircraft to meet evolving market demands. These next-generation aircraft offer greater fuel efficiency, extended range, and enhanced passenger comfort. By balancing operational needs with an elevated travel experience, we are strengthening our commitment to delivering a seamless and enjoyable journey for our passengers. This investment represents a bold step in securing MAG’s future, enhancing our ability to respond to market opportunities, drive greater value across our operations, and support the broader aviation ecosystem. It also enables us to future-proof our fleet, ensuring we remain competitive, adaptable, and well-positioned for sustainable growth.”

MAG has an existing order for 25 Boeing 737-8 aircraft through a long-term lease with Air Lease Corporation, with 11 already delivered and the rest scheduled for delivery by 2027. The Group currently operates a fleet of 113 aircraft system-wide, including 42 Boeing 737-800s under Malaysia Airlines and five under Firefly.

Source: Malaysia Airlines

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Cathay Pacific is Seeking to Hire Simulator Engineer’s in March 2025

Hong Kong – Cathay Pacific is seeking to hire a Simulator Engineer to support the maintenance and operational readiness of its Full Flight Simulators. The role involves troubleshooting, defect prevention, and maintenance to ensure simulators are available for pilot training.

Key Responsibilities

  • Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on training devices
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues or defer them as necessary
  • Conduct QTG runs and validation to maintain simulator certification
  • Assign tasks to Technicians, monitor progress, and ensure quality completion
  • Support system upgrades and project development in collaboration with engineers
  • Maintain a safe working environment and comply with regulatory standards
  • Participate in internal and external training programs to enhance skills

Candidate Requirements

  • University Degree or equivalent experience in engineering
  • Minimum 5 years of simulator engineering experience
  • Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and time management skills
  • Effective communication in English (written & spoken)
  • Interest in aircraft systems and their relation to simulator operations

To apply, contact the Cathay Pacific team or through this job post.

Source: Cathay Pacific

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Padpilot

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Nathan Gray – CEO at Padpilot, one of the world’s leading digital publishers of pilot training material for flight training organisations and aspiring pilots.

The conversation covers:

  • Introduction to Padpilot: Leading provider of digital aviation learning resources that has been producing educational materials since 2011 to support pilot training worldwide.
  • Padpilot’s Products & Innovations: Padpilot offers various courses: Foundation, PPL(A), PPL(H), ATPL(A) and ATPL(H) theory teaching and learning resources available on all devices, and AI-powered tools such as the Padpilot Briefing Room.  The company focuses on making aviation education more engaging through animations, simple English explanations, and 3D graphics.
  • Industry Partnerships & Market Presence: The company collaborates with over 160 Approved Training Organizations (ATOs) globally, including major players like Etihad Airways and Lufthansa. Its materials are available across different regulatory frameworks, including EASA and UK CAA.
  • Pilot Demand & Training Challenges: Nathan highlighted the growing global demand for pilots, estimating the need for 500,000–600,000 new pilots over the next decade. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality training, addressing instructor shortages, and ensuring lifelong learning rather than rote memorization.
  • Future Growth & Investment Support: Padpilot’s acquisition by Rose Street Partners has provided the company with the resources to expand into new markets and accelerate its growth. With this investment, Padpilot aims to enhance its offerings, develop new training solutions, and continue innovating in aviation education.

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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