Market Intelligence: -Suppliers

Flight Training Financing Provider Stratus Financial Welcomes Scott Schondau as Chief Financial Officer

USA – Stratus Financial LLC, a leading provider of financing solutions for student pilots, is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Schondau as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This strategic addition to the leadership team further reinforces Stratus Financial’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge financial solutions while positioning the company for long-term success.

“Scott’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer represents a significant step forward for Stratus Financial,” said Anthony Geraci, CEO of Stratus Financial. “With over two decades of experience in finance, capital markets, and strategic financial management, Scott brings a wealth of expertise that will be invaluable as we continue to scale and expand our business. His proven ability to develop and execute sophisticated financial strategies, coupled with his leadership in optimizing financial operations, will play a critical role in enhancing our organizational efficiency and driving sustainable growth. Scott’s experience in managing complex financial portfolios and mentoring high-performing teams aligns perfectly with our vision for Stratus’s future. We are confident that his leadership will be instrumental in helping us navigate the next phase of our growth while continuing to deliver value to our customers, investors, and stakeholders.”

Brandon Martini, COO of Stratus Financial noted, “As we grow our portfolio and further refine our offerings in the flight school loan market, Scott’s expertise in financial strategy and operational optimization will be key to ensuring we maintain a solid financial foundation. He has a proven track record of driving significant growth, improving financial processes, and enhancing organizational efficiency, all of which will contribute to our ability to execute on our long-term vision. We are confident that with Scott at the helm of our financial strategy, Stratus will not only maintain its competitive edge but will continue to set new standards in the industry for financial excellence and customer-centric innovation.”

Throughout his 25 year+ professional career, he has held Managing Director and similar roles at prestigious financial firms such as J.P. Morgan/Bear, Stearns, Deutsche Bank and Guggenheim. Most recently, he was CFO for an auto finance & loan servicing company and an EVP, partner and advisory board member for a private equity firm.

“I am both honored and excited to join Stratus Financial as Chief Financial Officer,” said Scott Schondau, Chief Financial Officer at Stratus Financial. “Stratus has established itself as a leader in providing innovative financial solutions to students pursuing careers in aviation, and I look forward to contributing to this mission. With over two decades of experience in finance and capital markets, I am committed to strengthening the company’s financial infrastructure and ensuring we maintain our position of leadership in the flight school loan sector. By improving financial processes, optimizing operational efficiencies, and driving strategic initiatives, my goal is to support Stratus’s continued growth and success as we expand our offerings and enhance our impact on the aviation industry. I’m eager to collaborate with the talented leadership team to further elevate Stratus as we help more aspiring pilots achieve their dreams.”

As CFO, Scott will oversee Stratus Financial’s financial operations, working alongside the executive team to refine financial strategies, streamline internal processes, and maintain a high standard of financial integrity across all functions. His leadership will be instrumental in ensuring Stratus continues to meet the evolving needs of students pursuing careers in aviation.

Source: Stratus Financial
Photo Credit: Stratus Financial

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Scottish Pilot Training Organisation ACS Flight Training Opens Applications for 2025 Scholarship in Partnership with Bose Aviation

Perth, Scotland – ACS Flight Training, in collaboration with Bose Aviation, is accepting applications for its 2025 Flight Training Scholarship, offering aspiring pilots the opportunity to advance their training with premium resources.

  • The scholarship includes 8 hours of flight training in the Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft.
  • The package also includes a Bose A30 Aviation Headset.

Source: ACS Flight Training
Photo Credit: ACS Flight Training

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Aviation and Navigation Database Provider Announces New FFS Training Center Partner Avion in 2025

Turkey – headquartered KEYVAN Aviation, a globally recognized aviation data solutions provider and an EASA-approved Type 1 DAT provider, has signed an MoU with AVION, a leading innovator in Full Flight Simulator (FFS) design, manufacturing, and operation. Through this strategic collaboration, KEYVAN’s high-precision Aeronautical and Navigation Database will now be integrated into AVION’s advanced simulators, enhancing flight training realism and accuracy.

The MoU was signed following discussions on delivering cutting-edge Full Flight Simulators manufactured by AVION, combined with highly accurate data processed by KEYVAN, to serve customers worldwide.

AVION: A Pioneer in Full Flight Simulation

AVION is renowned for its state-of-the-art Full Flight Simulators, designed to provide pilots with an immersive and highly realistic training experience. The company’s integrated Full Flight Simulator design, combined with a commitment to sustainability, has positioned AVION as a trusted partner for airlines and training organisations worldwide. By incorporating KEYVAN’s high-accuracy and certified navigation data, AVION ensures that its simulators continue to meet the highest standards of realism and precision, enhancing pilot competency and operational safety, according to the authorities requirements and future expectation.

Strengthening KEYVAN’s Presence in the Simulation Market

With an increasing number of simulator manufacturers and training centers adopting its navigation data, KEYVAN is solidifying its role as a key data provider in the flight simulation industry. This collaboration with AVION, one of the most respected names in the sector, marks a significant milestone in KEYVAN’s expansion. As the demand for high-technology simulation grows, AVION’s flight simulation footprint will grow day by day.

Delivering a Comprehensive and Reliable Data Solution

KEYVAN’s simulator database covers more than 55,000 aerodromes worldwide, including civil, private, and military airfields. The data set provides detailed information on airports, heliports, and military bases, ensuring the highest level of realism in training environments. Updated in accordance with AIRAC cycles, the database guarantees accuracy and compliance with international aviation standards.

With this collaboration, KEYVAN and AVION are setting a new benchmark for data-driven flight simulation, offering pilots and training centers a seamless and high-fidelity experience.

Source: KEYVAN
Photo Credit: KEYVAN

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Flight Schedule Pro Integrates Training Content to Transform Flight Schools’ Training & Revenue Potential

Overland Park, Kan. – Flight Schedule Pro, the leading flight school management platform, has partnered with Sporty’s, integrating their industry-leading ground school content directly into its platform. This first-of-its-kind integration enables flight schools to seamlessly track both flight and ground training progress, enhancing student success, simplifying operations, and unlocking a new revenue stream for flight schools.

Solving Key Flight Training Challenges

Flight training isn’t just in the air—it happens in the classroom too. Until now, flight schools and instructors had limited visibility into students’ ground school progress, leading to inefficiencies, training delays, and student drop-off. Additionally, schools lacked a streamlined way to bundle flight and ground school training while maximizing financial opportunities.

Flight Schedule Pro’s integration changes this by:

  • Syncing ground school and flight training progress in one unified platform, giving instructors a complete view of student performance.
  • Providing seamless access to industry-leading training content, ensuring students stay engaged and on track.
  • Creating a new revenue stream for flight schools—schools earn a percentage of every course their students enroll in.

Sporty’s Takes Flight with Integrated Training

As the first content provider to join Flight Schedule Pro’s Integration Marketplace, Sporty’s is bringing its trusted aviation training content directly into flight schools’ operations. Schools can sell Sporty’s online ground school courses directly to students in Flight Schedule Pro as part of their training packages, enhancing student learning while earning commission on every course sold.

“This integration makes it easier than ever for flight schools to manage student progress while improving financial sustainability,” said John Zimmerman, CEO of Sporty’s. “We’re proud to partner with Flight Schedule Pro to bring a smarter, more connected training experience to the industry.”

Expanding the Marketplace with AviatorPro

AviatorPro will broaden the training content marketplace, launching Private Pilot courses in Spring 2025, with Instrument and Commercial Multi-Engine training to follow. What makes AviatorPro unique is its customizable approach—allowing flight schools to brand courses with their own logos and colors, seamlessly integrating training into their curriculum. This white-label option strengthens a school’s identity, providing students with a cohesive, personalized learning experience while maintaining a consistent instructional approach.

Benefits for Flight Schools, Instructors, and Content Providers

  • For Flight Schools: Boost completion rates, reduce time to checkride, enhance the student experience, and increase revenue effortlessly.
  • For Instructors & Students: Provide structured learning pathways, ensuring students move through training efficiently.
  • For Content Providers: Gain access to 1,300+ flight schools worldwide, expanding reach and student engagement.

The Future of Flight Training: Connected & Profitable

With this integration, Flight Schedule Pro is redefining how flight schools manage training, combining education, business growth, and technology in one seamless platform. Schools can now enhance student outcomes, streamline operations, and tap into new revenue opportunities—all with the flip of a switch.

“This integration is a game-changer for flight schools,” said Nick Wegner, CEO of Flight Schedule Pro. “By connecting ground school with flight training in one seamless experience, we’re helping schools operate more efficiently while unlocking new revenue opportunities. Our goal has always been to make flight training more effective and accessible, and these partnerships are a major step toward that mission.”

About Flight Schedule Pro
Flight Schedule Pro is the world’s leading flight school management software, trusted by 1,300+ operators worldwide, including top flight training academies that produce pilots for major airlines like United, Delta, and British Airways. With 16,000+ instructors, 12,000+ aircraft, Flight Schedule Pro provides cutting-edge tools to optimize operations, enhance student retention, and drive revenue growth. Now part of the Flight Schedule Pro ecosystem, LogTen Pilot Logbook simplifies and perfects log management. Over 300,000 pilots have downloaded the LogTen App making it the most used, trusted, and awarded flight logging app ever created. Learn more about Flight Schedule Pro.

About Sporty’s
For more than 60 years, Sporty’s has proudly served the aviation community with an emphasis on quality in both pilot education and innovative products. Located at the Clermont County Airport, just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, Sporty’s operations extend to flight training, aircraft maintenance, avionics and airport management. At Sporty’s, the world’s largest pilot shop and an iconic general aviation brand, aviation is more than just our business—it’s our passion.

About AviatorPro
AviatorPro is the next generation of online aviation training, designed to revolutionize how pilots learn, train, and advance their careers. By integrating real-world performance analytics, adaptive learning technology, and industry insights, AviatorPro delivers a personalized training experience that maximizes efficiency and retention. Whether you’re starting your journey or striving for the next level, Aviator Pro equips you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s fast-evolving aviation industry.

Source: Flight Schedule Pro
Photo Credit: Flight Schedule Pro

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European Helicopter Flight School, RotorSky, Announces Successful Qualification of the First Full-Capable NVIS Simulator Device Worldwide

Austria – RotorSky is proud to announce their new addition to its fleet of training devices – an EASA qualified FTD to be operated at their headquarter at Linz international airport (LOWL). The simulator received initial qualification for FTD 1 from Austrocontrol in January 2025.

The simulator was defined by RotorSky to deliver highest quality training for NVIS and to meet the requirements given by EASA PART-SPA. Together with the recommended training syllabus, which was developed by RotorSky, operators can now receive proficiency training for their pilots to be ready for NVIS operations.

The simulator features two visual systems to provide stimulated and simulated NVG operation for fixed-wing and helicopter pilots. The unique Virtual Terrain Board (VTB) from JFJ provides a night-realistic out-of-the-window view allowing use of any kind of real NVG – D-World developed by multiSIM provides realistic simulated NVG and flying at night with VR goggles.

Bringing the best of three companies together was the foundation of creating this unique training tool:

  • RotorSky GmbH, Linz, Austria
  • multiSIM BV, Soesterberg, The Netherlands
  • JFJ Aviation & Defense, Burgkirchen, Austria

Dr. Michael Mayrhofer, CEO of RotorSky said: “The simulator marks another milestone in our consequent journey to bring highest pilot training quality to the market on a reasonable economical basis. Together with the syllabus, which was developed by most experienced and international recognized expert, an ideal training solution for NVG was created.”

The syllabus contains almost two days of theory, where all relevant aspects to be considered in an NVG environment are presented and discussed in detail. Thereafter the pilot will receive a passive demo of the effects under realistic conditions using real NVG and the VTB. The next session is already a flight session using real NVG to experience the effects during aircraft operation. Finally, the pilot will receive three more pilot-in-the-loop sessions in the VR (virtual reality) environment to gain more experience with night operations.

Ing. Josef Joachimbauer, CEO of JFJ Aviation & Defense said: “Our cooperation with RotorSky and multiSIM is a perfect synergy, as the capabilities of the three companies perfectly matches together.JFJ Aviation & Defense strength is complex system integration for reliable and effective pilot training devices, multiSIM provides excellent simulator software solutions and RotorSky delivers outstanding pilot training. The next step is to extend the simulator with normobaric hypoxia to also be able to train pilots for reduced oxygen exposure in high altitudes.”

The VR goggles display D-World during day and night, which is a high-fidelity simulated world with realistic light-effects developed by multiSIM. This visual system has now been qualified under special conditions for VR as the second in the world, as far as we know.

Dr. Mark Wentink, CEO of multiSIM said: “multiSIM is known for its expertise and experience indedicated defense training applications, where civil qualification is not required. This device marks a milestone of multiSIM’s progessive evolution, as it is the first EASA qualified training device, which entirely runs on multiSIM software. We are grateful to be part of this cooperation and already developing for the next generation in flight simulators.”

About RotorSky GmbH
RotorSky is an Austrian helicopter flight school with more than 15 years of experience in all kinds of helicopter pilot training. Over the years RotorSky has developed to a major player for helicopter pilot training within Austria and also within Europe by establishing alternate bases. Currently RotorSky operates from 10 bases in Europe, three in the US – RotorSky operates more than 30 helicopters in total 15 different types:

  • Robinson R22, R44
  • Sikorsky S-300, S-76B
  • Bell 206, 429
  • Leonardo AW109, AW139, AW169
  • Airbus BK117, H120, H125, H135, H145, H155

For more information see www.rotorsky.at.

About multiSIM BV
multiSIM BV is a high-tech engineering company based in The Netherlands, specializing in advanced training and research simulation solutions for clients worldwide. With a team primarily composed of aerospace engineers, multiSIM develops cutting-edge technologies, including the D-SIM framework and D-WORLD render engine, which together form a comprehensive simulation platform for development, evaluation, and training within a unified virtual environment. multiSIM provides integrated training solutions across a range of platforms, including fifth-generation fighter aircraft, helicopters, and vehicles. These solutions are versatile and can be deployed on hardware ranging from simple desktops to advanced full-motion simulators, catering to diverse training needs. multiSIM is committed to developing the world’s best distributed simulation framework, aiming to provide training operators with user-friendly, scalable, and connected solutions.

About JFJ Aviation & Defense GmbH
JFJ Aviation & Defence GmbH is an Austrian based company working in the field of aerospace medicine as well as flight safety. The team has many years of expertise and is familiar with the current state-of-the-art technology. We choose the right solution for individual requirements and support the planning, development, production, and implementation of aeromedical products – both in civil and military sectors. Governments and well-known manufacturers all over the world rely on our professional advice and technology. The latest developments have been done in F-35 engine start-up, normobaric Hypoxia, Spatial Orientation and Night Vision training solutions.

Source: RotorSky, JFJ Aviation & Defense and multiSIM
Photo Credit: RotorSky, JFJ Aviation & Defense and multiSIM

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