Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Legend Airways announces Tecnam Fleet acquisition across 3 Models

TECNAM and Legends Airways today announced an aircraft purchase agreement for a fleet of 5 initial aircraft for the fixed-wing flight training school. The purchase consists of two (2) P2008 LSA, two (2) P2010 standard category 4 place and one (1) P2006T twin.

This kind of acquisition is what Tecnam calls “Fleet Solution”, where a Flight School can offer different models to cover all the flight training requirements, from initial training to Complex (Multi engine, Variable Pitch Propeller and Retractable Landing Gear). With incredibly low operating costs, and competitive rates for students, the school has Tecnam as a single source for all needs. The Tecnam platforms for training is based on very modern aircraft models, that exceed a very strict and high level certification process, that, 1950’s design aircraft on the training market cannot meet.

Legends will be utilizing the high wing P2008 LSA for initial through IFR introduction training equipped with the Garmin G3X dual screen system, and Garmin GTN 650. Students will then move to the FAA standard Category P2010 4 place single engine with G1000 NXi and GFC 700 autopilot for completion of IFR, Commercial and CFI Certificates. Finally, students will fly the P2006T light twin with Garmin G1000 NXi to complete their Multi-Commercial and Multi-Engine Instructor Certificates.

“As flight training continues to evolve in the modern age, it is crucial that flight academies progress with the times. That is why Legends Airways is partnering with Tecnam, who shares these beliefs in producing safe, sleek, and innovative aircraft that exemplify what it means to “Learn to Fly” in the 21st century. We look forward to integrating Tecnams technologically advanced fleet into our academy and providing our students with safety-orientated and world-class training.”  – Justin Dal Colletto, Flight School Director at Legends Airways.

“Tecnam aircraft being selected by Legends as their next generation training fleet is a high honor. The Tecnam fleet solution offers easy transition to more complex aircraft while leveraging an LSA, a Rotax powered twin and US based AOG support to keep the acquisition and operational costs down. This will allow Legends to continue to provide a safe and cost attainable pathway for students,” said David Copeland, Director for Tecnam in North America.

“We are delighted at Legends Airways choice for their fixed wing fleet. Our expanded commitment and direct factory involvement to the US market is showing the results we have forecast. We care a lot for our North American customers and training organizations, we are proud to be a partner on their path to success. With the widest line of aircraft in our portfolio, post-sales support and services, Tecnam is not only providing aircraft but a solid Fleet Solution,” said Walter Da Costa, Chief Sales Officer.

Source: See Tecnam Press Release here.

For more information, kindly contact Tecnam Aircraft.

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Ameri commences importation of Blackshape’s new Gabriél training aircraft

Blackshape’s new Gabriél is now being imported by Ameri, the Official and Exclusive Dealer for Blackshape Aircraft in the United States of America. 

In a published article by AOPA on the 26th of July quoted as follows “Blackshape and Ameri Aircraft worked together to import the airplane and begin FAA approval. Belviso said all the FAA flight tests are complete and the documents are with the agency for review. Meanwhile, the company has also applied for IFR certification and approval for use in the aerobatic category.”

Further, quoting from the same source, “Luciano Belviso, CEO of Blackshape Aircraft, said the Gabriél was designed following the success of the Prime model, which debuted a decade ago in Italy as a light sport aircraft. From that experience, the company decided to begin work on a larger, certified airplane. The Gabriél was approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Three of them have been in use as trainers in the Air France and KLM ab initio pilot training programs. There are about a dozen flying worldwide.”

For more information, kindly contact Ameri.

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Flexjet Accelerates Jet Deliveries as Demand Rises

Fractional ownership provider Flexjet is accelerating aircraft deliveries and hiring another 200 pilots to fly them as the industry experiences an “unprecedented rise” in demand, CEO Michael Silvestro told AIN. But while such demand has posed problems for some competitors, he said, it hasn’t interfered with Flexjet’s ability to sell shares and jet cards and arrange leases for its fleet of Phenom 300 light jets.

“Over the past year and a half, we acquired new clients who had previously never flown privately,” Silvestro noted. “That increase in business includes fractional, lease, and jet cards across all of our aircraft types. [It’s] not limited to light jets.”

A proactive approach to maintaining service levels has mitigated any service disruptions from the demand increase, Silvestro noted. While focusing on fractional sales as Flexjet’s core business, the company said it has remained mindful of the importance of jet cards to its total operation. “In this way, we can continually ensure that supply matches demand,” Silvestro said. He added that companies with a “disproportionate number” of jet cards rolled into their core business of fractional ownership shares make it “much harder to withstand moments like this when they unfold.”

Source: AIN

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Erin Lear launches Birde Academy, an all-electric flight school for women

The granddaughther of (William) Bill Lear, founder of the Lear Jet Corporation and inventor of the 8-track tape and the Motorola, Erin Lear is launching Birde Academy, an all-electric flight school for women which is the first of its kind.

The flight school is based in California and will be utilizing all-electric airplanes and will focus on training female aspiring pilots. Nevertheless, Birde Academy is definitely open to men.

Erin Lear has plans to purchase four (4) two-seat, all-electric eFlyer 2 aircraft designed by Bye Aerospace once available. According to Bye Aerospace, eFlyer 2™ was the world’s first FAA 14 CFR Part 23-Type Amendment 64-Certified Applicant for a “Normal Category” Electric Aircraft, (FAA application filed April 13, 2018). The aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft is over twice that of a typical legacy aircraft of similar size and has high overall propulsive system efficiency with high motor efficiency with low cooling drag.

For more information, kindly contact Birde Academy.

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CAE and Volocopter to partner and create the global air taxi pilot workforce of tomorrow

  • Ground-breaking training program to focus on safety and operationalization of eVTOL urban air mobility
  • Volocopter, urban air mobility pioneer, teams up with CAE, global leader in aviation training, to develop an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) pilot training program in preparation for Volocopter’s first eVTOL aircraft upcoming entry-into-service
  • CAE commits to expanding its international training network to support Volocopter’s growth and global pilot training with a forecasted investment of up to US$40 million

CAE, a global leader in aviation training, and Volocopter, a leading pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), announced today the signing of a strategic partnership, subject to definitive agreement, to develop, certify, and deploy an innovative pilot training program for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations. A first in the industry, this eVTOL pilot training program will develop the pilot workforce of the future and ensure safe introduction of eVTOL operations globally by leveraging CAE’s advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), as well as data analytics and Volocopter’s leading understanding of requirements for integration into the UAM ecosystem.

UAM is an emerging part of the aviation industry focused on aerial connectivity in and around cities. Volocopter’s family of electric aircraft are designed to relieve today’s heavily fossil-fueled, inner-city traffic for both people (VoloCity, VoloConnect) and goods (VoloDrone) . The company’s first commercial eVTOL aircraft, the VoloCity, is well into its certification program with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and is positioned to launch first services in time for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Through existing agreements and partnerships with global leaders, such as Daimler, Aéroports de Paris, Microsoft Azure, and now CAE, Volocopter plans to launch its services in a number of cities globally within the next five years. Volocopter is committed to seeking certification with the highest global safety standards for aircraft and operations.

CAE commits to expanding its worldwide training network with a forecasted investment of up to US$40 million to meet Volocopter’s projected pilot demand in the early years of operation. CAE will be deploying training equipment and instructors in lockstep with Volocopter’s growth. As part of the agreement, Volocopter will purchase a simulator from CAE to be used in its pilot training program certification. CAE will create new, student-centric courseware, specifically designed for the pilots of the future as Volocopter’s courseware provider and will also offer pilot trainees customized resources that enable faster, more efficient pilot training.

“As we scale our UAM services in cities around the world, specific pilot training and qualification for our Volocopters will be an important element. We are proud to be partnering with CAE, who have a track record in developing best-in-class, innovative pilot training solutions for new aircraft programs. It will greatly benefit Volocopter’s entry-into-service timeline and scale,” says Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter. “We are excited about CAE’s endorsement and look forward to collaborate as partners focused on combining future-oriented technologies to ensure aviation safety.”

“As a high-technology company and the industry leader in pilot training, we continuously look at providing solutions that make the world a safer place,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions. “We are committed to supporting Volocopter’s inspiring vision and we look forward to leading in the design of UAM pilot training that prioritizes safety of operations through our data-driven solutions, world-class pilot training experience, and longstanding relationships with civil aviation authorities across the globe.”

As outlined in CAE’s Advanced Air Mobility white-paper published this month (link), advanced air mobility will create an additional surge in the demand for pilots, with an estimated 60,000 pilots needed within the first decade of operation. Volocopter and CAE will work closely together to obtain regulatory approval for their pilot training program of the future.

Source: CAE Press Release. See here.

For more information, kindly contact CAE.

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