Market Intelligence: -Suppliers

Airbus Helicopters Supports Fred North’s Global Mentorship Program for Young Pilots

Global – Airbus Helicopters has partnered with veteran stunt pilot Fred North to sponsor the Helicopter Safety Mentorship Program, a global initiative designed to connect young aviators with experienced mentors to enhance safety and professional development across the rotorcraft industry.

  • The programme, founded by Fred North — one of the world’s most recognised helicopter pilots in film and television — links early-career pilots with seasoned peers to provide guidance on operational decision-making, safety practices, and career progression.

  • More than 350 pilots worldwide are currently enrolled, with a further 40 on the waiting list, representing participants from North America, Europe, South Asia, and Latin America.

  • The mentorship structure allows flexible engagement between mentors and mentees, typically involving short, periodic exchanges to discuss topics such as mission planning, stress management, and operational risk.

  • Airbus Helicopters views the initiative as part of its holistic aviation safety strategy, focusing not only on technical innovation but also on pilot mindset, training quality, and human factors.

  • The company’s Head of Aviation Safety and Quality, Florence Verlut, highlighted that Airbus’ support for the programme aligns with its Zero Accidents roadmap by encouraging knowledge transfer between generations of pilots.

  • Airbus test pilot Olivier Gensse is among the mentors participating in the programme, contributing decades of operational experience to the next generation of rotorcraft professionals.

Statements

  • “We’ve done so much mechanically in the past 40 years that today helicopters are really reliable, if you do the maintenance correctly. Now, the weak part is us, as pilots, as human beings,” said Fred North, founder of the Helicopter Safety Mentorship Program. “I would love every young pilot doing his commercial license to be part of the programme. It can help create a safer environment because they can ask questions now and not make that mistake eight years later.”
  • “Airbus’ strategy is holistic — to not only look at the product, but to look at everything that can enhance safety. Fred’s mentors can reach all types of pilots, and his willingness to think about the future by upskilling the new generation aligns with Airbus’ safety roadmap,” said Florence Verlut, Head of Aviation Safety and Quality at Airbus Helicopters.

Source: Airbus

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TUI and Boeing Extend Pilot Training Partnership to Include EBT and CBTA Programs

Europe – At the 2025 European Aviation Training Symposium (EATS), Boeing and TUI Group announced the extension of their long-standing partnership for pilot training services, further strengthening collaboration across TUI’s 737 and 787 operations.

  • The renewed agreement covers Boeing’s Evidence-Based Training (EBT) and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) programs, which emphasize data-driven performance evaluation and real-world operational competencies.

  • Training will continue to support pilots operating TUI’s Boeing 737 Next Generation, 737 MAX, and 787 Dreamliner fleets, integrating both simulator and classroom instruction.

  • The extended partnership reflects TUI’s commitment to maintaining high standards of flight crew performance across its five airline subsidiaries: TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands, TUI Airways UK, and TUI fly Nordic.

  • Boeing’s Training Solutions division will continue providing courseware, simulator access, and instructor support to align TUI’s recurrent and initial training programs with CBTA and EBT frameworks approved by European regulators.

Statements

  • “We value our enduring relationship with Boeing, built on expertise and a shared commitment to excellence in flight training. Together, we’ve supported many skilled pilots, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership for many years to come,” said Andreas Helzel, Head of Training, TUI Airline.
  • “This long-standing agreement with TUI will enable our continued collaboration, as we work together to make sure TUI receives the full value from these training programs. We are pleased to be able to support TUI as they prepare their crews with the skills and knowledge they need to help them succeed on each and every flight, and throughout their careers,” said Chris Broom, Vice President, Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services.

Source: Boeing

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Global Flight Training Group Airways Aviation Conducts Pilot Training Seminar at ThePilot.in’s in November 2025

India – Airways Aviation conducted a pilot training seminar on November 7, 2025, hosted at ThePilot.in’s new Mumbai office in Borivali West, bringing together aspiring pilots from across India to explore international flight training opportunities at global flight training group Airways Aviation.

  • The session was led by Rizwan Taj, Airways Aviation’s representative, and attracted over 50 virtual attendees alongside an in-person audience.
  • The seminar focused on global pilot training pathways, highlighting Airways Aviation’s integrated and modular programs in Australia, designed to prepare cadets for professional aviation careers in accordance with CASA as well as the flight group’s European EASA pathways.
  • The discussion covered entry requirements, visa processes, and structured progression from foundational training to commercial pilot certification, with emphasis on Australia’s favorable flying conditions and internationally recognized licensing system.

Airways Aviation operates a DGCA ground school in Hyderabad which supports aspiring pilots before they continue their training at one of Airways Aviation’s global locations.

Source: Airways Aviation

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CAE Delivers Embraer E190 Full-Flight Simulator to TAP Air Portugal in 2025

Portugal – CAE has announced the delivery of an Embraer E190 Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) to TAP Air Portugal, further strengthening the airline’s in-country pilot training capabilities. The simulator is now installed at TAP’s training facilities in Lisbon and CAE will ensure full compliance with EASA Level D standards, enhancing training realism and supporting TAP’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence.

The FFS training center currently operates A320 and A330 full flight simulators.

Source: CAE

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Nebraska, USA’s Ignite Flight Academy Highlights New Partnership with Sallie Mae to Offer Full Financing for Pilot Training

Nebraska, USA – Ignite Flight Academy has partnered with Sallie Mae, a major U.S. private education loan provider, to offer flexible financing solutions for aspiring pilots. The new funding option is designed to make pilot training more financially accessible by covering up to 100% of Pro Pilot Program costs.

Curious to learn more about Ignite Flight Academy – check out the interview it did with AFM earlier this year here.

Source: Ignite Flight Academy

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Blackshape and Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise Jointly Exhibit at Dubai Airshow 2025

Europe & Middle East – Blackshape Aircraft, the Italian aircraft manufacturer known for its advanced composite training and surveillance platforms, is exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow 2025 in partnership with Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE). The two companies are showcasing their aircraft and pilot training offering at the Inspiration Zone, Booth 2027, from 17–21 November.

This appearance follows a year of active collaboration between the two organizations under their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abu Dhabi, which formalized a strategic partnership to expand training, defense, and civil aviation solutions across Europe and the Middle East.

In December 2024 AFM reported that Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE) welcomed the arrival of the Blackshape Gabriél aircraft at its base in Cyprus. The aircraft underwent a series of test flights and assessments by IAE’s expert teams to explore its applications in firefighting and military training, surveillance, and specialized civil missions.

Learn more about Blackshape Aircraft by listening to its AFM interview earlier this year.

Source: Blackshape Aircraft & Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise
Photo Credit: Blackshape Aircraft

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Keyvan Aviation – Aeronautical and Navigation Database Solutions for Flight Simulators

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Mehmet Keyvan, CEO & Chairman at Keyvan Aviation (Keyvan Group), offering Big Data solutions and services in the aviation field, including with the approved Aeronautical and Navigation Database for Aircraft Avionics Systems, Flight Simulators and Flight Planning systems, and many other tailored data solutions.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Origins & Mission: Mehmet Keyvan founded Keyvan Aviation to provide certified global aeronautical and navigation data essential for flight operations, avionics, and simulators. As an EASA Type 1 Data Provider, the company ensures aviation stakeholders have access to precise, regulatory-compliant databases used by airlines, flight schools, and simulator operators.
  • Commitment to Data Quality & Certification: Mehmet Keyvan emphasized that “flying without data is like flying with closed eyes,” highlighting the importance of reliable, certified information in aviation safety and training. The company’s focus is on delivering trustworthy, high-quality data tailored to each client’s specific system and operational needs.
  • Strategic Partnerships & Innovation: Keyvan Aviation collaborates with major simulator and tech firms like Quantum3D, Simnest, and HAVELSAN to integrate high-quality data into 3D simulations and AI-powered systems. These partnerships aim to improve training realism and data analytics, supporting the growing need for efficient, modern pilot training solutions.
  • AI, Digitalization & Data-Driven Training: Mehmet believes artificial intelligence and real-time data will transform how pilots are assessed and trained, enabling more targeted and adaptive learning. By analyzing simulator data, instructors can identify weaknesses and tailor future sessions, enhancing safety and operational readiness.
  • Vision & Competitive Edge: Keyvan Aviation differentiates itself through its global data coverage, competitive pricing, and 24/7 technical support. With coverage of over 55,000 aerodromes and heliports worldwide, the company combines certification, quality, and customer service to meet the evolving needs of the aviation training industry.

 For more information:

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

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