Market Intelligence: -Suppliers

Global Pilot Training Solution Provider CAE and Canadian Carrier Expand Pilot Training Capacity in Western Canada with New ATR FFS in 2025

CAE and Canadian North have announced an expansion in pilot training capabilities for Western Canada with the upcoming deployment of an ATR 72-500 Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) at Canadian North’s training facility in Edmonton, Alberta. The CAE-owned and operated FFS is set to be operational by fall 2025, offering accessible ATR 72-500 simulator training for regional airlines, including Canadian North.

This addition will further enhance the comprehensive training services provided at Canadian North’s recently expanded 30,000 square-foot Edmonton facility, where CAE oversees training center operations and simulator maintenance. The facility currently houses a CAE-manufactured Boeing 737NG FFS, reflecting CAE and Canadian North’s shared commitment to advancing pilot training solutions in the region.

Beyond Edmonton, CAE also operates an ATR 42-300/ATR 72-200 FFS in Montreal, along with 13 additional simulators in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, supporting the diverse training requirements of its airline partners across Canada.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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Regional Aircraft Manufacturer ATR to Focus on Core Product Portfolio

Following an extensive market review and in light of lingering tensions on its supply chain, ATR has decided to focus efforts on further boosting the competitiveness of its current product portfolio. As a consequence, ATR will stop the development of its Short Take-Off and Landing variant (STOL), the ATR 42-600S, reflecting the company’s commitment to aligning operations with evolving market dynamics.

The comprehensive review of market conditions, technological advancements and future projections shows a reduced addressable market for the variant compared to the initial forecast. In Southeast Asia, for instance, the number of targeted airports requiring STOL-capable aircraft has significantly decreased, primarily because of runway extensions or the construction of nearby alternative airports, and this trend is mirrored in other key target markets. While this reduces the addressable market for the ATR 42-600S, it means that our current product line can operate at its full capacity.

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “As a global leader on the regional market, ATR has a responsibility towards its customers, stakeholders and the industry at large to continuously evaluate its product portfolio to meet market demand. The decision to halt the STOL project reflects our dedication to operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.”

This strategic endeavour will enable ATR to shift efforts towards enhancing existing product lines, advancing technological innovation, and addressing emerging market demands more effectively. This includes further breaking into North America, where the manufacturer is looking to replace ageing fleets of regional jets and boost point-to-point regional connections.

“We are now entering the next phase of growth and improvement where we will focus on further investing in the competitiveness of our market-leading products, the ATR 42-600 and 72-600. Delivering strong value propositions to regional airlines has always been central to our success. This commitment is the reason why our aircraft have remained industry leaders and a trusted choice for our customers over the past 40 years and continues to be our driving force for what lies ahead.” she added.

She continued: “As part of this commitment, we have identified a series of product improvements which aim at further reducing the costs of operations and increasing the availability of our aircraft. These improvements directly reflect the needs and insight shared with our customers. To achieve these goals, we are working closely with our key suppliers and have developed comprehensive action plans to drive progress on these enhancements. This step is essential to maintain our competitive edge, as well as our position as a trusted partner to our customers, operators and stakeholders worldwide.”

Source: ATR
Photo Credit: ATR (shown as meta image)

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FlightSafety International becomes Official Conference Sponsor of Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Air Expo Abu Dhabi is thrilled to announce that FlightSafety International has partnered with them as the official conference sponsor for the Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024! The event, set to take place from 19th to 21st of November 2024 at ADNEC Capital Centre Abu Dhabi, will once again bring together aviation professionals, enthusiasts, and companies from around the globe for an immersive experience in the vibrant world of aviation.

FlightSafety International: Leading the Way in Aviation Training and Innovation

As a global leader in aviation training and innovation, FlightSafety International has been dedicated to providing comprehensive training solutions and cutting-edge technologies for over 70 years. Their commitment to safety, excellence, and continuous improvement makes them an ideal partner for this year’s Air Expo Abu Dhabi. Air Expo Abu Dhabi is excited about the possibilities this partnership opens up and invite you to join the Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024 for an unforgettable experience!

About Air Expo Abu Dhabi
Air Expo Abu Dhabi is a premier aviation event, showcasing the latest developments, innovations, and future outlooks in the aviation industry. The event gathers industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts to engage, share knowledge, and explore the forefront of aviation technology and solutions.

Source: Air Expo Abu Dhabi
Photo Credit: FlightSafety International

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AFM – 2025 Pilot Training Industry Relevant Events Calendar

The team at AFM has put together a calendar of events in 2025 of potential interest to pilot training industry stakeholders. For more information or if you know of an event for us to add to the list, kindly contact us.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

TBA:

  • African Aviation Summit
  • Aviation India Summit & Exhibition

Please contact us if you know of Pilot Training Industry relevant events taking place which are not already on this list.

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Global Aviation Training Solution Provider, CAE, Accelerates Maintenance Training with New Modular Program for Bombardier

Global aviation training leader CAE and Bombardier are collaborating on the development of a modular maintenance training program which will aim to optimize the time required to train Bombardier Service Centre maintenance technicians. The testing phase of this new training program will take place at Bombardier’s service centres in:

  • Wichita, Kansas
  • Tucson, Arizona
  • Opa Locka, Florida.

CAE’s 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast predicts a need for 402,000 new maintenance technicians industry-wide by 2032, more specifically 74,000 in business aviation.

“While there is a need to better promote the career path of an aircraft technician to students around the globe, a big part of the challenge is that it currently takes too long to train new technicians and even longer to train them across several aircraft platforms,” explained CAE Business Aviation Division President Alexandre Prévost. “CAE’s new modular solution developed for Bombardier will reduce training time by consolidating courses for an entire aircraft family since they share many components and features.”

“We are very excited about this potential new program. Given the need for qualified technicians in the marketplace, it is imperative that we maximize their time working on aircraft and optimize the value of their time away for training. The goal of this new modular system is to allow us to better tailor our training to the needs of our technicians, our organization and ultimately our customers,” added Mike Menard, Senior Director Bombardier Aircraft Services Americas. “Providing our customers exceptional service availability and quality continues to be at the center of every initiative we undertake. Expertly trained technicians are core to Bombardier’s continued success.”

About CAE Civil Aviation Training
CAE Civil Aviation Training advances human performance by providing holistic and immersive training solutions for professionals in business and commercial aviation. Whether for pilots, maintenance technicians, cabin crew or air traffic controllers, we help keep aircraft in the skies with exceptionally trained professionals ready to take on any challenge safely. We operate 70+ facilities on five continents, training over 135,000 business and commercial professionals annually.

About CAE
At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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Flight Simulator Manufacturer, Flightdeck Solutions, Expands Facility in 2024 to Meet Growing Industry Demand

Newmarket, Ontario, Canada – Flightdeck Solutions (FDS) has completed the expansion of its headquarters, increasing its facility to 10,000 square feet to accommodate growth in both domestic and international markets. The expansion reflects the company’s measured approach to scaling operations after 24 years of serving the aviation training industry.

“While we’ve doubled our facility size approximately every decade, this expansion is different,” explained Peter Cos, President of Flightdeck Solutions. “We’ve implemented purpose-built production areas and enhanced quality control systems that will benefit our customers for years to come.”

The newly configured facility introduces dedicated device assembly bays with upgraded infrastructure, effectively doubling production capacity. A new demonstration area enables customers to experience fully-built aircraft trainers, complete with a 220-degree wrap-around visual display system, able to support a range of aircraft builds, including A320, B737MAX, and Q400 models.

FDS’s steady growth is evidenced by its delivery of 25 flight training devices to Canadian institutions alone over the past two years.

Among these domestic deliveries are devices for:

  • International Test Pilots School (London, Ontario)
  • Conair Aerial Firefighting (Abbotsford, BC)
  • Orizon Aviation (Quebec)
  • Toronto Airways
  • AviaSim
  • Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (Breslau, Ontario)
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology
  • Kelowna Flight Craft
  • WestJet

This Canadian success runs parallel to FDS’s continued international deliveries.

“The expanded facility allows us to maintain dedicated production lines for our long-term customers while accommodating new projects,” remarked Cos, discussing the strategic importance of the expansion. “This increased capacity, combined with our optimized workflow, helps us better serve the growing needs of the aviation training industry.”

The expansion coincides with recent certifications from Transport Canada, FAA, and KOCA, reinforcing FDS’s position in the flight training hardware sector. While maintaining a strong presence in North America, the company continues to serve clients across international markets. To support this growth, the company plans to strategically expand its teams across sales, production, and technical support roles.

About Flightdeck Solutions
Flightdeck Solutions (FDS) is a global provider to the aerospace and aviation industry for a wide range of flight simulation products and services. Over its 24-year history FDS has gained worldwide trust for producing high quality, immersive and fully tactile FTD trainers, becoming the solution of choice for companies and educational institutions around the world. With devices such as the B737MAX, B737NG, A320, B787, B777, and B747, and trusted by companies like Boeing, Honeywell, and CAE, FDS has built a reputation for providing both custom hardware solutions and turnkey offerings, delivering excellence in quality while maintaining financial responsibility.

Source: Flightdeck Solutions
Photo Credit: Flightdeck Solutions

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Global Pilot Training Solution Provider, CAE, Announces CEO Succession Plan

Montreal, Canada – CAE announced that after 20 years at CAE, including 15 as President and Chief Executive Officer, and after spearheading the making of CAE as a global leader in training for civil aviation and defence and security forces, Marc Parent will be leaving the company at next year’s Annual General Meeting in August 2025, as part of an ongoing succession plan. Until this time, Mr. Parent will continue to lead CAE in his role as CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors, advance CAE’s strategic objectives and ensure an effective transition.

“Under Marc’s leadership, CAE has become a global leader in training for civil aviation and defence and security forces, through which we have furthered our mission to make the world a safer place,” said Alan N. MacGibbon, Chair of the Board of Directors. “During his tenure, CAE’s annual revenue has nearly doubled to $4.3 billion from $2.2 billion. This was driven in large part by the transformation he led from being primarily an industrial products company to becoming the world leader in aviation training solutions, with over two-thirds of annual revenue coming from recurring services. These accomplishments cement his legacy as a high calibre leader in the aerospace industry and create a solid foundation for the future.”

“Marc’s lasting impact on CAE and global aerospace is unanimously recognized by the Board,” said Mr. MacGibbon. “As we continue our succession process for the next CEO of CAE, we are fortunate to benefit from the considerable leadership depth he has built across the organization, placing us in an excellent position for sustainable growth.”

Added Mr. Parent, “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead this company over the last 15 years. Having been engaged in succession planning discussions for some time, the Board and I are fully aligned on the process and transition to CAE’s next CEO. Over the decades, I have been able to work together with an extraordinary team, reshaping the aerospace industry by creating something truly unique, and prepared thousands of people in critical roles for the moments that matter. I am proud of the numerous awards and overall recognition that CAE has received, of the solid relationships we developed, and I am grateful for everyone who contributed to making our company what it is today.”

“CAE’s innovative technology and outstanding people now set the standard for training and safety worldwide. When I conclude this unique journey next year, it will be with the knowledge that given our unparalleled training and software solutions, the strong secular growth trends in Civil and Defence, and our robust order backlog, the future is bright for CAE.”

Consistent with its ongoing and rigorous succession planning process, the Board of Directors has retained a leading executive search firm to conduct a comprehensive global search, which will include evaluating internal and external candidates, to identify a new CEO to lead the Company into the future. The Human Resources Committee of the Board will oversee the search process with support and assistance from Mr. Parent.

About CAE
At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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Flight School Management Software Aviatize Selected by Portugese Flight School Nortavia

Vilar de Luz, Portugal – Nortavia, a premier flight training organization based in Maia has announced its partnership with Aviatize as its new operations management system, aimed at enhancing its flight and maintenance processes and elevating student and instructor experiences.

With Aviatize, Nortavia will streamline and modernize all facets of flight training management. The system offers a mobile-friendly interface for both students and instructors, robust scheduling tools, compliance monitoring, integrated accounting, and comprehensive aircraft maintenance planning and execution.

Gonçalo Moreira, General Manager of Nortavia, expressed his enthusiasm for the new system, stating, “We’re thrilled to adopt Aviatize’s innovative platform, which allows us to focus on training excellence while streamlining operational tasks. With this partnership, Nortavia is better equipped than ever to deliver top-tier training and prepare top quality future pilots.”

Aviatize CEO Tom Verbruggen shared his excitement about the collaboration, adding, “We are proud to welcome Nortavia to our growing network of flight schools. This partnership is a testament to the industry’s demand for fully integrated, customizable solutions. Since meeting Nortavia at last year’s EATS, we’ve seen their forward-thinking approach and high ambitions, and we are confident our platform will support them in reaching their goals.”

Source: Aviatize
Photo Credit: Aviatize

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