Market Intelligence: -Suppliers

USA’s Chief of Naval Air Training Graduates First Aviators on Textron’s T-54A Multi-Engine Trainer

USA – The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) has marked a major milestone with the graduation of the first four student naval aviators trained on the new T-54A “Multi-Engine Training System” (METS), also known as the Marlin II. The event represents the inaugural class to complete multi-engine training on the platform that replaces the U.S. Navy’s long-serving T-44C Pegasus after more than 40 years of service.

  • The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the T-54A in May 2024.

  • The T-54A is based on the Beechcraft King Air 260 and introduces advanced avionics, digital displays, and enhanced safety systems.

  • Integrated with a suite of high-fidelity simulators and a redesigned curriculum under the METS program, the training more closely mirrors fleet aircraft systems and procedures.

  • Graduates are now better prepared to transition into frontline multi-engine platforms including the P-8A Poseidon, E-6B Mercury, and C-130J Hercules.

  • With the first four graduates moving on to their fleet replacement squadrons, Training Air Wing FOUR (TW-4) is set to expand training as more T-54A aircraft and simulators are delivered, aiming for full operational capability in the coming years.

Headquartered at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) oversees five training air wings and 17 training squadrons across Florida, Mississippi, and Texas. These squadrons conduct primary, intermediate, and advanced flight training for student naval aviators, naval flight officers, and air vehicle pilots. CNATRA remains steadfast in its mission to train, mentor, and deliver the highest quality naval aviators prepared to win in competition, crisis, and conflict.

Source:  Chief of Naval Air Training Public Affairs

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USA’s NAFI and King Schools Launch USD 20,000 Flight Instructor Scholarship Package

USA – The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and King Schools have announced a new scholarship programme to support aspiring and active flight instructors in advancing their certification and training.

  • The award provides $5,000 toward an initial CFI rating or any CFI add-on rating.

  • Recipients also gain lifetime access to the King Schools online training library, valued at $15,000, along with lifetime access to Flight Instructor Refresher Courses (FIRCs).

  • To be eligible, applicants must be NAFI members and hold a current FAA commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating or a CFI certificate.

  • Applications must be submitted by email only by January 7, 2026.

  • The scholarship reflects the Kings’ long-standing commitment to raising training standards in aviation. Over their 50+ year careers, John and Martha King have educated thousands of pilots through classroom instruction, video courses, and now online platforms.

Source: King Schools

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UK-headquartered Leading Edge Aviation Adds 4th Elixir Aircraft to Spain Base Fleet

Spain – Leading Edge Aviation, a flight training group operating bases in the United Kingdom and Spain, has expanded its training fleet with the arrival of its fourth Elixir aircraft at its Alhama campus in Spain.

In October 2024, Leading Edge Aviation announced a significant new partnership with Elixir Aircraft and Green Aerolease that will enhance training capabilities and further its commitment to more sustainable flight training through the addition of five Elixir Aircraft.

Statements

  • “I had the opportunity to fly alongside one of our amazing Flight Instructors, Filipe Balsa, in the latest addition to the fleet at Alhama, our 4th Elixir, which arrived this week. Light, responsive, and with great performance, it truly represents the latest generation of training aircraft.” – Dave Alexander, COO

Source: Leading Edge Aviation

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BRM AERO’s Bristell B23 Gains FAA Type Certification Under Part 23

Czech Republic & USA — Czech aircraft manufacturer BRM AERO has announced that its Bristell B23 aircraft has received FAA Type Certification under Part 23 regulations, complementing its existing EASA CS-23 certification. This dual approval significantly enhances Bristell’s global marketability, particularly for flight schools and private operators seeking versatile, certified training platforms across multiple jurisdictions.

  • The Bristell B23, a two-seat all-metal aircraft designed for training and touring, now holds dual certification from both the FAA and EASA, allowing expanded use across North America and Europe.

  • With over 1,100 aircraft delivered across four continents since 2009, Bristell has established a strong footprint in commercial pilot training and general aviation markets.

  • The company plans to extend FAA certification across the entire B23 variant lineup, including:

    • Rotax 912iS, 915iS, and 916iS engine configurations

    • IFR-capable models for more advanced pilot training use cases

  • The B23 features a Garmin glass cockpit, modern avionics, and a 750 kg MTOW, with a 300 kg useful load and 130 cm (51 inch) cockpit width, making it one of the most comfortable and capable aircraft in its category.

  • BRM AERO maintains a global support infrastructure with:

    • 30+ international dealers

    • 90% in-house manufacturing

    • 24-hour global parts dispatch system, minimizing downtime for operators

Statements

  • “This FAA certification represents a significant milestone in our global expansion strategy. Having both EASA and FAA approvals validates our engineering excellence and opens new opportunities for flight schools, aviation clubs, and private pilots across international markets. We will continue pursuing FAA certification for additional B23 variants to offer our customers the widest possible range of options.” — Martin Bříštěla, CEO and Co-founder, Bristell Aircraft

Source: BRM AERO

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CAE Expands Military Training Fleet with Grob Aircraft Delivery in Canada

Canada – The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program has reached a key milestone with the arrival of the first two Grob SE G 120TP / CT-102B Astra II aircraft in Canada. The aircraft, recently displayed at the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa Air Show, will now continue to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, where they will serve as the Basic Flying Training platform for all Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot trainees.

  • The aircraft, manufactured in Germany, completed factory acceptance earlier this month and will be the first of 23 Grob G 120TP trainers supplied under the FAcT program.

  • Powered by a Rolls-Royce M250-B17F turbine engine producing 456 shp, the CT-102B offers a lightweight (1,500 kg), responsive, aerobatic-capable platform designed to exceed the performance of the aircraft it replaces.

  • The FAcT program will consolidate Canada’s three existing ab initio training systems into a unified nationwide structure, managed by SkyAlyne, the joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace.

  • CAE, as a major subcontractor, provides live flying, simulation, and ground school instruction. Its Moose Jaw operations employ nearly 200 people, reinforcing both regional economic development and Canada’s sovereign training capacity.

  • Once operational, the new fleet will support courseware development, instructor training, program field trials, and test and evaluation activities, shaping the future of Canadian military pilot training.

Source: CAE Defense & Security
Photo Credit: Royal Canadian Air Force

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National Flight Training Alliance Advances Part 141 Modernization at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in September 2025

USA – The National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) convened its second day of meetings at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, continuing momentum in its 141 Modernization working groups. The sessions emphasized collaborative planning and deeper stakeholder engagement as the NFTA proceeds in its role leading regulatory modernization for U.S. flight training under FAR Part 141.

Early this year, NFTA was selected as FAA lead in coordinating industry efforts for modernization of Part 141.

Source: National Flight Training Alliance

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Flight School CRM Solution Provider Flycore Welcomes New CEO in 2025

USA – Flycore has announced a change in leadership: Jack Abramowitz is stepping down as CEO and passing the reins to Doug Abramowitz, while Jack transitions into an advisory role as the company reaches a critical sustainability milestone.

  • After ~18 months of operations, Flycore has achieved “default alive” status: its revenue now covers its expenses

  • Flycore already has over a dozen customers using its platform daily including FTOs such as:
    • Vermont Flight Academy
    • Melbourne Flight Training

Source: Jack Abramowitz (Flycore)

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United Aviate Academy Adds 2 New Cirrus SR20 G7 Aircraft to 2025 Training Fleet

Arizona, USA – United Aviate Academy, the wholly owned flight school of United Airlines, has expanded its training fleet with the addition of two new Cirrus SR20 G7 aircraft, reflecting the academy’s ongoing investment in state-of-the-art training assets as it scales pilot production for United’s pipeline.

Source: United Aviate Academy

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Full Flight Simulator Manufacturer HAVELSAN Achieves Another EASA Recurrent Certification For Its Boeing 737 Max Full Flight Simulator

Türkiye – simulator manufacturer HAVELSAN is proud to announce that its Boeing 737 MAX full flight simulator has successfully renewed its EASA certification this September.

In 2023, HAVELSAN made headlines by achieving the EASA Level D certification for its two Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulators that have been delivered to Turkish Airlines. Today’s renewed certifications demonstrate that this success was not a one-time achievement, but rather a testament to HAVELSAN’s long-term vision and its growing reputation as a trusted global partner, delivering reliable and sustainable training solutions.

This marks the second HAVELSAN 737 MAX simulator to receive EASA recurrent certification. Similar to this achievement, HAVELSAN’s other 737 MAX simulator that has been delivered to Turkish Airlines was certified in April 2025.

Earlier this year in June, HAVELSAN announced that Turkish Airlines has placed a follow-on order of another Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulator to be delivered in January 2026 – read more here. This expands the agreement signed with HAVELSAN in 2018, Turkish Airlines originally planned to procure a total of eleven training devices consisting of three A320neo/ceo, two B737 MAX Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and six Flight Training Devices (FTD).

In addition to manufacturing Boeing flight simulator’s HAVELSAN also operates Boeing flight devices with an example being its training center partnership with Turkish Airlines which operates Boeing devices in Ankara since 2023.

The HAVELSAN team is immensely proud of the impact that its training devices are having on the Boeing operators in Turkiye and is actively working on expanding this impact to airlines and training centers around the globe.

Source: HAVELSAN

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