Market Intelligence: -Suppliers

Vertex Solutions, Varjo, and Aechelon Technology Join Forces with FAA to Redefine Virtual Reality Standards for Flight Simulation

Niceville, Florida, USA – Vertex Solutions, a Woman-Owned Small Business recognized for its excellence in systems integration and advanced learning technology, is thrilled to announce they have been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to lead an exciting new research initiative on VR flight simulation standards, alongside esteemed partners Varjo and Aechelon. Through the FAA’s Immersive Flight Simulation CRADA RFI (692M15-IFS-RFI-CRADA), this partnership unites Vertex’s extensive experience in extended reality (XR) training, Varjo’s industry-leading XR headsets, and Aechelon’s advanced visual simulation systems to explore the transformative impact of XR in pilot training. Vertex Solutions will also incorporate a mixed reality (MR) approach to advance the study with the best technology available.

With this landmark collaboration, Vertex, Varjo, and Aechelon will combine their expertise to assist the agency in enhancing the FAA’s CSF S-76 simulator for XR visualization. This setup will allow the FAA to conduct rigorous experiments on XR head-mounted display (HMD) specifications, including latency, resolution, and field of view. These trials will assess how XR variables affect pilot performance and workload, providing critical insights for establishing new XR standards in aviation training.

“Partnering with Varjo and Aechelon enables us to bring the very best in VR technology to this FAA project,” said Dennis Wikoff, President & COO at Vertex Solutions. “Together, we aim to help the FAA set new benchmarks that could redefine training methods and support the integration of VR into official flight simulator standards. We’re honored to collaborate on this project and shape the future of immersive flight training.”

The core objective of this collaborative agreement is to identify the minimum XR system specifications required for effective use in pilot training. Vertex Solutions will work alongside the FAA to enhance the S-76 simulator with XR functionality, allowing the FAA to conduct in-depth research scenarios using the new setup. FAA pilots will run through these scenarios, which will involve varying key XR parameters such as field of view and latency to determine their impact on pilot performance.

The final output of this collaboration will include a comprehensive report on the findings, detailing how specific XR HMD metrics influence pilot workload and training efficacy. This report will be shared with FAA sponsors to guide decisions on potential updates to federal flight simulator regulations.

About Vertex Solutions
Vertex Solutions delivers mission-critical training solutions that empower people to excel in complex, real-world environments. Specializing in systems integration for XR training technology, Vertex has a proven record of success with U.S. and international military clients, as well as Government, Commercial, and Civil Aviation sectors. Vertex is dedicated to enhancing training quality, reducing costs, and improving safety through innovative integration and expert collaboration.

About Varjo
Varjo is the world-leading provider of enterprise virtual and mixed reality solutions, delivering the highest levels of immersion, performance, and security for the most demanding industrial customers globally. Used by over 25% of the Fortune 100 and 19/20 of the world’s largest defense and aerospace companies, Varjo is known for virtual and mixed reality that look and feel as real as the real world, allowing training astronauts and fighter jet pilots, designing cars, and conducting pioneering medical research across virtual environments.

Our hardware and software solutions integrate with the world’s largest ecosystem of professional 3D software, image generators, and advanced simulator hardware. With Varjo’s offering, including the latest XR-4 Series and the government-compliant XR-4 Secure Edition, professionals can recreate the exact feeling and conditions of real life in 3D, allowing them to train faster, better and more cost effectively.

About Aechelon Technology
Aechelon Technology, Inc. is a leading provider of real-time computer graphics solutions for training, simulation, and commercial markets. The company specializes in COTS-based, high-resolution, multi-channel, geo-specific image generators, out-the-window (OTW) displays, and correlated worldwide sensor databases, along with comprehensive integration services.

Aechelon delivers top-tier solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and prime contractors in commercial applications. Its image generators are field-proven, fully supported with logistics, and accompanied by comprehensive documentation. Aechelon Technology is ISO 9001:2015 certified and is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA.

Source: Vertex Solutions
Photo Credit: Vertex Solutions

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Signs Multiple Aircraft Sales During Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Diamond Aircraft’s last exhibition of the year was also their first time exhibiting at Air Expo Abu Dhabi, which took place over three days from 19-21 November in the UAE capital.

The UAE, and the Middle East region as a whole, is an area of rapid expansion for Diamond Aircraft, with a series of new aircraft sales in recent months.

At Air Expo Abu Dhabi, Diamond Aircraft was delighted to celebrate the delivery of the first DA50 RG aircraft to a UAE customer, Abdulla Al-Zaabi – who also happens to be the founder-owner of Project Aviation, a new Abu Dhabi-based flight school. Project Aviation has also just signed a contract for the purchase of two DA40 and one DA42 aircraft.

They also celebrated the delivery of the first DA62 into Kuwait – more to come on that soon.

Apart from the new aircraft sales, the event was a fantastic chance to catch up with established partners, as well as to raise the profile of the Diamond brand and discuss their product range with private and professional pilots meeting us for the first time.

A definite highlight of the trip was a flight in the new DA50, kindly arranged by Al-Zaabi, taking off from an airfield about an hour’s drive into the desert and flying by the beautiful Abu Dhabi coastline.

Diamond Aircraft looks forward to returning to the UAE in 2025!

Source: Diamond Aircraft
Photo Credit: Diamond Aircraft

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American Cargo Airline Adopts Qualtero Training Management Solutions for Enhanced Training Management

United States – Lynden Air Cargo, a prominent global air freight services provider, has selected Qualtero’s Training and Qualification Management System (TQMS) to enhance its training and qualification processes.

  • Qualtero’s TQMS is designed to streamline and improve the management of training and qualifications, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
  • The adoption of TQMS aligns with industry trends of leveraging digital tools for workforce development and operational standardization.

Source: Qualtero

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Brno University of Technology Enhances Flight Training Capabilities by Acquiring ELITE S311 FNPT II Simulator

Dübendorf, Switzerland – Brno University of Technology (VUT) has made a significant addition to its aviation training program by purchasing the ELITE S311 FNPT II flight simulator from Swiss flight simulator manufacturer Elite Simulation Solutions.

This state-of-the-art simulator, which is equipped with the advanced OEM Garmin GTN750 GPS, will elevate the university’s pilot training capabilities, providing students with hands-on experience in a highly realistic and immersive environment.

The S311 FNPT II features a three-channel curved visual system, offering a 180-degree field of view for enhanced situational awareness and realism during training. In addition, it boasts two different aircraft instrument configurations, allowing students to train in both Single Engine Piston (SEP) and Multi-Engine Piston (MEP) aircraft settings.

The simulator includes both glass cockpit and analogue instrumentation options, providing flexibility to meet a variety of training needs and preparing pilots for a wide range of cockpit environments.

Installation, as well as hands-on local support & maintenance, will be covered by ELITE’s Prague Office in order to ensure the best possible service to our customers.

Rene Huddlestone, Director of Marketing & Sales at ELITE Simulation Solutions, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Brno University of Technology, saying: “We are thrilled to welcome another prestigious academic institution to our growing customer base. ELITE has always adhered to our credo of offering the best price-to-value ratio on the market. This sale is just another example of how important it is to have your ear on the market, listen to what customers want, and develop products accordingly to meet their requirements.”

The addition of the S311 FNPT II flight simulator will enable Brno University of Technology to provide its students with cutting-edge flight training technology, further solidifying its position as a leader in aviation education.

About Brno University of Technology
Brno University of Technology, one of the largest and most prestigious technical universities in the Czech Republic, offers a comprehensive range of programs across engineering, science, and technology disciplines, including a robust aviation program aimed at developing the next generation of professional pilots.

About ELITE Simulation Solutions
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of flight simulation products, catering to aviation training institutions, flight schools, and professional pilots. Known for delivering high-quality and cost-effective solutions, ELITE’s products are used worldwide to enhance pilot training programs and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Source: ELITE Simulation Solutions
Photo Credit: ELITE Simulation Solutions

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Flight Simulator Manufacturer Elite Simulation Solutions Marks Success with Completion of Simulator Factory Acceptance for Czech Client

ELITE Simulation Solutions, a leading provider of innovative simulation solutions for aviation training,  is pleased to announce the successful completion of a Factory Acceptance Procedure (FAT) visit for the ELITE S311 FNPT II, hosted by Brno University of Technology and represented by Director Jaroslav Juracka. This visit signifies a crucial milestone in confirming that the ELITE S311 FNPT II adheres to the highest standards of quality, functionality, and performance.

During the visit, rigorous testing was conducted across all operational and research parameters, ensuring the device meets the precise specifications required for advanced flight training. This collaborative effort with Brno Technical University was completed on schedule, marking an important step toward the next phase of development.

Source: ELITE Simulation Solutions
Photo Credit: ELITE Simulation Solutions

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer, Bye Aerospace, Announces 2024 Appointment for Director of Information Infrastructure

Colorado, USA – Bye Aerospace has appointed Chuck McCaffrey as the new Director of Information Infrastructure. With over 30 years of experience leading technology transformations, Charles has guided organizations through complex transitions and enhanced operational efficiencies. His work at the Chicago Board of Trade, as well as his expertise in process modeling and predictive analytics, has revolutionized industries.

“Charles’ strategic leadership in global operations and tech optimization will be invaluable to our continued growth,” said Bye Aerospace.

In November 2024 Bye Aerospace begun constructing its first all-electric aircraft, the eFlyer 2, marking a key milestone for the company. The project, based at Bye Aerospace’s facility at Centennial Airport (KAPA) in Denver, focuses on creating a fully composite structure, validating design specifications, and establishing production protocols for the aircraft.

  • The eFlyer 2, engineered specifically for the aviation training market, is designed to enhance efficiency and sustainability in pilot training.
  • Company officials state that the aircraft’s clean-sheet design, featuring optimized aerodynamics and lightweight composite materials, aims to reduce operating costs by up to 80% and maintenance needs by up to 75%.
  • Serial Number 00001 will undergo extensive aerodynamic testing once assembly is complete, as part of the aircraft’s certification and validation process.

Source: Bye Aerospace
Photo Credit: Bye Aerospace

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Flight School Management Software Provider, Flight Schedule Pro, Appoints 2024 Chief Marketing Officer

USA – Flight Schedule Pro, a software solutions provider specializing in flight training and pilot management, has appointed Bryan Landaburu as its new Chief Marketing Officer. The announcement comes as the company, part of the Mainsail Partners portfolio, focuses on consolidating its recent acquisitions and redefining its market approach.

  • Landaburu brings significant expertise in marketing to support Flight Schedule Pro’s strategic growth initiatives.
  • Flight Schedule Pro has achieved dominant market leadership in the flight training software sector, with over 50% of flight schools and airline cadet programs utilizing its services.
  • Since its acquisition by Mainsail Partners in 2022, the company has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Coradine Aviation, LogTen Pilot Logbook, and Pilotbase.
  • Over 50,000 professional pilots currently log their flights daily using Flight Schedule Pro’s applications.
  • The organization is focused on creating a new, unified category that maximizes the potential of its combined brands, with an emphasis on maintaining pilots as the central figure in its narrative.

Statements:

  • “I am pleased to announce that I recently joined Mainsail Partners portfolio company, Flight Schedule Pro, as their Chief Marketing Officer. This is an exciting opportunity and a great fit for me,” said Bryan Landaburu. “In order for these strategic acquisitions to harmonize and realize their combined potential, we must rewrite the story and construct a new category. Staying true to the roots of our business, pilots will remain the hero of our story.”

Learn more about Flight Schedule Pro or Mr. Landaburu by connecting with him through his LinkedIn profile here.

Source: Bryan Landaburu (Flight Schedule Pro)
Photo Credit: Flight Schedule Pro

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Denmark’s Leading Center Air Pilot Academy Acquired its Third Simnest Simulator

Budapest, Hungary – Flight simulator manufacturer Simnest Aviation successfully installed a Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC simulator at Center Air Pilot Academy, the largest and leading flight school in Denmark. This new flight simulation training device is the third Simnest simulator in their fleet and will be used to train future pilots for several Nordic airlines.

Center Air Pilot Academy based at Roskilde Airport is one of the first customers of Simnest Aviation. Their cooperation started in 2016 when Simnest Aviation delivered and installed the second Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC simulator in their history. Seeing Simnest Aviation’s expertise, a year later CAPA commissioned the simulator manufacturer to retrofit its existing B737 simulator.

In the years since, pilots have been trained on the two simulators, catering to an increasing number of airlines. This autumn CAPA contracted another two airlines, the Scandinavian Airlines and the Danish Jettime and continues to expand its airline partner base. As the negotiations with their two new airlines partner were already underway over the summer, CAPA signed a contract with Simnest in July to expand their capacity with a new Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC simulator, which is the third in their fleet.

“In recent years, we have introduced a customer satisfaction survey system at Simnest Aviation that includes three different types of surveys with different purposes. These provide us with data that is vital for the further development of our products. Yet, the greatest recognition we receive from our customers is when they order another Simnest simulator to add to their existing ones.” – Simnest Aviation’s CEO Balázs Herendi expressed his delight about the order.

“We have been operating Simnest simulators for eight years now. During this time, there has never been any reason to even consider looking for another supplier for our third simulator. I think that says a lot about their devices and our satisfaction.” – commented CAPA CEO Jens Frost on their latest purchase.

The Center Air Pilot Academy’s newest Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC simulator was installed at the school’s Roskilde base in November and is expected to undergo the qualification of CAA in January.

Source: Simnest Aviation
Photo Credit: Simnest Aviation

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Flight School Management Software Solutions Provider, Private-Radar, Set to Participate at Pilot Expo 2025

Brussels, Belgium – Private-Radar, a flight management system integrated with a unique aircraft tracking system for efficient workflow automation, announced its participation in the upcoming PilotExpo2025 on February 21-22, 2025 at Skyhall, Brussels Airport, Belgium.

Private-Radar is innovative and easy-to-use cloud-based software designed to streamline the daily operations of pilot training centers. Headquartered in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Community of Madrid, Spain, Private-Radar now serves over a hundred flight schools and aero clubs in more than 30 countries around the world.

Learn more about Private Radar by listening to its interview with AFM: Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Private-Radar – AFM.aero

Or checking out its supplier profile on AFM: Private-Radar: Flight School Management System & Aircraft Tracking System – AFM.aero

Source: Private-Radar
Photo Credit: Private-Radar

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