Market Intelligence: -Suppliers

Global Leader in Industrial Virtual and Mixed Reality Solutions, Varjo, Opens New Facility in Finland to Meet Growing Defense Demand

Helsinki, Finland – Varjo, the global leader in industrial virtual and mixed reality solutions, has opened a new secure manufacturing facility in the greater Helsinki region in Finland. This expansion will enable Varjo to meet the increasing demand for its high-resolution XR solutions in defense training and simulation, with a projected total addressable market (TAM) in training simulations alone expected to reach approximately $900 million by 2027.

The new secure manufacturing facility, with full on-site staff, features secure production and warehouse areas, a product and process development area, including reliability testing, and an audio development section.

This milestone is driven by the growing demand from Varjo’s defense customers and the company’s close collaboration with Cole Engineering Services Inc. (CESI), the key contractor for the U.S. Army’s Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer (RVCT) program. Varjo was chosen as the XR technology provider for the RVCT Air program in 2023, enabling a portable training capability for three different helicopters: Apache, Chinook, and Blackhawk.

Eric Carr, Program Director for RVCT at CESI, emphasized the importance of Varjo’s technology in enhancing defense training simulations. “Varjo was selected for the RVCT program because of its ability to provide a mixed reality solution with high-resolution visuals, meeting the demanding requirements of the program. The Varjo XR-4 Secure Edition headsets offer high-resolution imagery for both mixed reality and synthetic environments, and their TAA-compliant manufacturing process makes them ideal for high-security settings.”

Major Brandon Dotson, Assistant Product Manager for the RVCT, highlighted the critical role of XR and VR in military training.  “The RVCT uses XR and VR to simulate scenarios like driving tanks and flying helicopters, providing an immersive experience that is crucial for effective training. The whole point of RVCT is to make training easier and accessible to Soldiers at the lowest echelon. Historically, training required large facilities and dedicated teams of contractors, but now we’re pushing that capability down to the Soldier, making it as easy and intuitive as possible to execute training.”

“Varjo’s technology plays a vital role within the U.S. Army’s synthetic training program, providing soldiers with a fully immersive, highly realistic training environment where they can interact with physical controls in real-time. The close partnership between Varjo and CESI has been instrumental in ramping up our new secure manufacturing capability. Our new facility ensures that Varjo can meet the high-security requirements of our governmental customers while supporting the rapid growth of XR demand in the defense sector,” said Timo Toikkanen, Varjo CEO.

Varjo’s commitment to providing the most advanced XR technology for emerging use cases such as training Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators is reinforced by this new facility. By establishing a secure manufacturing base, Varjo is well-positioned to support the evolving needs of defense personnel, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of modern combat.

Source: Varjo
Photo Credit: Varjo

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US College Rocky Mountain College Acquires New ALSIM AL100i Simulator for its Aviation Program

France headquartered flight simulator manufacturer ALSIM is thrilled to announce that Rocky Mountain College, based in Montana, has made a significant acquisition by purchasing the new AL100i simulator for its aviation program.

The AL100i is the exact replica of the P100i, the successful trainer aircraft manufactured by Piper. The simulator will be designed to FTD 5 standard, offering a full-size cockpit replica, a semi-enclosed instructor station, an active electrical control loading, and a specific flight model based on aircraft flight characteristics. The AL100i will feature the immersive 3 projectors visual system for an unequaled 210×55° field of view.  On top of this, the simulator will be equipped with the original G3X and GNX375 manufactured by Garmin, ensuring the same level of performance, features, and reliability as the aircraft, a world first for these avionics.

Dan Hargrove, Director of Aviation at Rocky Mountain College, states: “We have added several new Piper 100i training aircraft to our fleet.  We pride ourselves in providing excellent Part 141 flight training to our students and truly preparing them for careers in many different sectors of the aviation industry.  Many do go on to fly for the airlines, but likewise, others fly cargo, air ambulance, back country Alaska, firefighting, corporate and fractional.  We have been looking for some time for a flight training device that is cockpit specific to both successful ease our students into our flight training program and prepare them for a variety of careers.  We believe the AL100i is just what we are looking for.”

Jason Da Costa, Business Development and ALSIM Sales Manager, comments: “ALSIM is extremely proud to have been chosen to provide Rocky Mountain College with their brand new AL100i flight training device. Rocky Mountain College needed a solution to provide for the very best in-flight training for their students and with the latest acquisition of several new Piper 100i training aircraft, ALSIM was the perfect choice. ALSIM designs and manufactures flight training devices to allow for the most advanced flight training available anywhere. The AL100i FTD is no exception, its exact replication of the P100i aircraft means that Rocky Mountain College can continue to lead the way in aviation training excellence.”

About Rocky Mountain College
Rocky Mountain College (RMC) is the oldest college in Montana, founded in 1878. Aviation is the largest academic program at a small college with a strong foundation in the liberal arts.

Rocky Mountain College Aviation Program is a four-year, traditional college with many majors, many athletic teams, music, and an emphasis on a liberal arts education and professional preparation. The College finds strength in the mix of “new” aviation and “old” liberal arts and traditions. Students don’t just learn to fly planes, they are leaders, professionals, and thinkers educated with a firm foundation in the liberal arts.

RMC is one of only about 35 colleges and universities accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The college counts a total of 150 students in the aviation program, nine aircraft fleet and state-of-the-art glass cockpits which provide the most advanced primary flight training available anywhere. Its location with the Montana weather and terrain helps students develop airmanship skills.  Moreover, Rocky Mountain College has bridge programs with multiple airlines and other types of companies that help students get the job they want.

About ALSIM
ALSIM has been developing and manufacturing FAA & EASA certified FNPT II, FNPT II MCC and AATD flight simulators since 1994. Alsim is well recognized for its know-how, based on 30 years of experience. We’re proud to say our hardware & software is made 100% in house, which means peace of mind for our customers. Alsim’s main objective relies on innovation: we aim to anticipate our client’s needs and remain at the cutting edge of technology.

Today, we have more than 450 devices installed and certified in over 60 countries, with over 400 clients.

Source: ALSIM
Photo Credit: ALSIM

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Flight Training Financing Provider Stratus Financial Announces Passive Income Investment Strategy Achieves Outstanding Cumulative Returns, Outperforming Major Asset Classes

Newport Beach, California –  Stratus Financial, a trusted consumer finance platform committed to providing student loans to aspiring student pilots at all levels of experience, proudly announces that its innovative investment strategy has yielded a remarkable cumulative return of approximately 44.5% over the past three years. This exceptional performance has outpaced all major asset classes, showcasing the strength and consistency of Stratus Financial’s approach to generating sustainable income for investors.

Over the last three years, the investment landscape has been characterized by significant volatility, with many traditional and alternative asset classes experiencing substantial fluctuations. Despite these challenges, Stratus Financial has consistently delivered an annual return of 13%, culminating in a cumulative return that surpasses the following asset classes (see image below).

Key Highlights of Stratus Financial’s Investment Strategy:

  • Outstanding Cumulative Returns: Achieving a cumulative return of approximately 44.5% over the past three years.
  • Consistent Annual Performance: Delivering a steady 13% annual return consistently.
  • Outperformance: Exceeding the cumulative returns of major asset classes, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities.
  • Sustainable Income: Providing investors with a reliable source of passive income through high-performing consumer loans.

“Our investment strategy’s cumulative return of approximately 44.5% over the past three years is a testament to our team’s expertise and the robustness of our investment approach,” said Alan Rios, Chief Investment Officer.  “We are proud to provide our investors with exceptional returns that outperform traditional and alternative asset classes, ensuring sustainable and reliable income.”

“Stratus Financial’s success is built on a foundation of thorough market analysis, risk management, and a commitment to delivering value to our investors,” continued Rios. “As we continue to navigate the evolving financial landscape, our focus remains on maintaining high performance and generating substantial returns for our clients.”

About Stratus Financial
Founded in 2020 by FAA Certified Flight and Ground Instructors who are passionate about helping others achieve their dreams of flight, Stratus is a consumer finance platform providing flexible and innovative educational funding solutions to students pursuing aviation education and training. Stratus is fully geared to marry Student Success and School Success with several programs designed for Flight Schools, by Flight Schools and is on a mission to help aspiring pilots achieve their flight dreams as swiftly as possible through hassle-free flight school loan programs.

Stratus Financial Fund specializes in generating high returns through innovative investment strategies. Our mission is to provide investors with reliable and sustainable income by leveraging our expertise in high-performing consumer loans.

Source: Stratus Financial
Photo Credit: Stratus Financial

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Aeroplanned in 2024

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series AFM’s Customer Success & Business Development Manager Agata Marszalek speaks with Jen Liddle – Founder and CEO at Aeroplanned – a leading, cloud-based platform that provides flight schools visibility of the future so they can convert complex data into clear, meaningful insights to enable highly effective decision making.

The conversation covers:

  • Background and Company Overview: Jen Liddle trained as a pilot and instructor, founded Aeroplanned to address inefficiencies in flight training management, providing a cloud-based resource planning software that enhances visibility and decision-making for flight schools.
  • Partnerships and Growth: Aeroplanned has recently expanded its collaborations with multiple flight schools globally, CAE, New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA), Kilo Charlie Aviation, BAA Training, and various schools in Malaysia and India, highlighting the increasing demand for improved training management solutions.
  • Pilot Demand Insights: Jen discussed the fluctuating demand for pilots across regions, noting a strong demand projected in markets like India while the U.S. shows signs of a slowdown. She emphasized the role of airlines in creating their own training academies to ensure a steady supply of qualified pilots.
  • Trends in Pilot Training: There’s a growing need for data and transparency in pilot training, driven by the expectations of the new generation of pilots. Flight training organizations are shifting from recreational to professional training, increasing the demand for detailed progress tracking.
  • Safety and Efficiency Improvements: Aeroplanned aims to enhance the safety and consistency of pilot training by ensuring students receive well-paced, timely training, which is crucial for maintaining high safety standards and reducing the need for remedial training.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.
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Pilot Training Ground School Materials Provider Padpilot Announces Partnership with Spain’s World Aviation Flight Academy

United Kingdom based pilot training educational material publisher Padpilot has announced a new partnership with World Aviation Flight Academy, a leading training provider with bases in Madrid, Malaga, and Girona. The academy, known for its academic excellence, offers a wide range of modular, flexible, and bilingual (Spanish and English) programs for both  airplane and helicopter pilots.

As part of the partnership, Padpilot will provide theoretical knowledge resources for World Aviation’s PPL (A) & (H) and ATPL (A) & (H) ground training programs.

Leonardo Otamendi, CTKI at World Aviation Flight Academy, shared his thoughts on the collaboration:

“The Padpilot platform is distinguished by its innovative approach and it’s ability to deliver highly visual and interactive content. This combination not only facilitates better understanding of complex concepts but also keeps students more engaged. After evaluating several options, we chose Padpilot because it offers a perfect balance between advanced technology and ease of use, making it the ideal tool to enhance training in the aeronautical industry.”

Source: Padpilot
Photo Credit: Padpilot

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US Flight Training Financing Provider Announces 2024 Appointment for Managing Director, Head of Investor Relations

United States based Stratus Financial, a leading financial services firm specializing in student pilot flight school financing, has announced the appointment of Eljona Shkreli to their team as a Managing Director, Head of Investor Relations.

Stratus Financial shared; “Join us in welcoming Eljona Shkreli to our team! She excels in building lasting relationships, developing new business opportunities, and tailors financial solutions that help her clients achieve their financial goals. With over 8 years of experience managing banking relationships and a passion for helping high-net-worth clients achieve their financial goals, we’re thrilled to have her on board.”

“Excited to see Eli joining our team at Stratus Financial! With 39 months of operating results and returning 13% interest to investors, she’s destined for great things. Welcome aboard, Eljona Shkreli!” shared Chris Ragland, CEO of Ragland Capital

Stratus Financial now has 263 flight school partnerships as of August, up from nearly 150 schools a year ago. Last month, the lender also secured up to $50 million in new financing from Monachil Capital Partners, which will be used to originate new loans.

Source: Stratus Financial
Photo Credit: Stratus Financial

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Flight Simulator Manufacturer SoftekSim Secures Canada’s First MEP FTD Level 5 Certification

Riga, Latvia’s flight simulators manufacturer SoftekSim is proud to announce the successful certification of Canada’s first MEP FTD Level 5. After undergoing rigorous testing and evaluation by Transport Canada certification experts, the device has officially met the high standards required for advanced flight training.

With this certification, SoftekSim’s simulators are now available for use in Canada, offering a new level of quality and precision in flight training.

Source: SoftekSim
Photo Credit: SoftekSim

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New Zealand-based Flight School Nelson Aviation College Enhances Training with New Simulators

Nelson Aviation College is excited to announce the addition of a new Simutech PAA G1000NXi Simulated Flight Trainer and six Simutech desktop touchscreen Procedure Trainers to its training resources. These advanced tools will provide students with the opportunity to develop and refine their skills, empowering them to achieve their Instrument Rating goals with confidence.

1978 established New Zealand flight training organisation Nelson Aviation College, offers a wide range of courses including Private Pilot License, Commercial Pilot License, Basic Gas Turbine, and Instrument Rating, and back in October 2023 Nelson Aviation College shared that it had partnered with flight simulator manufacturer True Course Simulations (TCS) and took delivery of the flight school’s first TCS Immersive Training Device (ITD).

Source: Nelson Aviation College
Photo Credit: Nelson Aviation College

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