Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

H55 Achieves 104th Electric Landing as Arizona Segment of USA Tour Concludes

Phoenix, Arizona, USA – H55, the Swiss electric aviation pioneer and spin-off of the Solar Impulse project, has completed the Arizona segment of its Across USA Tour, marking a major milestone with its 104th electric landing. This phase of the tour showcased the Bristell B23 Energic, an all-electric trainer aircraft, through a series of demonstration flights, community engagements, and direct outreach with flight schools, fixed-base operators (FBOs), and aviation leaders across the state.

  • 104 electric landings achieved across the U.S., with Arizona marking the third state on the eight-state tour

  • 20 demo flights conducted with 17 certified flight instructors and 4 aviation operations leaders

  • 25 flight schools engaged, including institutions like ASU and ERAU Prescott

  • Airports visited: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) and Scottsdale Airport (SDL)

  • The Bristell B23 Energic, powered by H55’s certified electric propulsion and battery management systems, proved its operational viability in Arizona’s high-temperature, high-density air environments. Feedback from instructors and student pilots highlighted the aircraft’s intuitive handling, noise reduction, and training adaptability.

Statements:

Kyle Sauvageau, Flight Instructor, Scottsdale Executive Flight Training: “The simplicity and quiet would benefit instructors, students, and communities alike. I can’t wait to see these take flight at more airports and hopefully at our school.”

Mitchell Rasmuson, Flight Instructor, Sierra Charlie Aviation (100th U.S. Landing Pilot): “It handles just like a standard single-engine aircraft—but the quiet and communication clarity truly felt like the next step in flight training.”

Kailee McGough, Flight Instructor, Leopard Aviation (104th U.S. Landing Pilot): “It’s actually easier than a Cessna. As a student pilot, the quiet cockpit helps you focus without the noise fatigue.”

Kristen Jurn, North American Sales Manager, H55: “Arizona delivered far more than sunshine—it offered a powerful look into the future of flight training, instructor enthusiasm, and community support.”

Gregory Blatt, Co-Founder and Tour Director: “Crossing our 104th landing in Arizona is symbolic. From where Solar Impulse departed in 2013 to today’s Part 23 electric aircraft, this proves that clean aviation has moved from concept to reality.”

About H55
Founded by the team behind Solar Impulse, H55 is based in Switzerland and develops certified electric propulsion and energy storage solutions for general and regional aviation. Its mission is to enable sustainable air travel with scalable, safe, and operational electric aircraft systems.

Source: H55
Photo Credit: H55

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Irish Pilot Training Organisation AFTA Cuts CO2 Emissions with SAF-Compatible Diamond and Cessna Aircraft

Ireland – Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA) has announced that its entire Diamond fleet and three of its G1000-equipped Cessna 172 aircraft are now operating with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)-compatible engines, marking a major step toward sustainable flight training.

  • The new SAF-compatible engines deliver:

    • Over 80% reduction in CO2 emissions.

    • More than 40% reduction in noise levels compared to conventional Avgas-powered variants.

  • This initiative reflects AFTA’s commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation in commercial airline flight training.

  • The project is supported by AFTA’s partners at Cork Airport and Waterford Airport.

Source: Atlantic Flight Training Academy
Photo Credit: Atlantic Flight Training Academy

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MD Helicopter’s American Made Trainer Positioned for Army Flight School Next

United States —  As the U.S. Army advances its vision for Flight School Next, MD Helicopters proudly puts forward the MD 530F as a purpose-built, combat-relevant training aircraft that directly reflects the mission demands of Army Aviation. Designed, built, and supported in America, the MD 530F is not simply a commercial adaptation—it’s a military training platform born from decades of experience and built for the battlefield environments of tomorrow.

The MD 530F’s fully articulated, five-bladed rotor system provides handling characteristics that closely replicate those of the UH-60M Black Hawk, AH-64E Apache, and CH-47F Chinook—allowing students to train in a platform that feels like the real thing from the start. It offers exceptional maneuverability, direct control response, and unmatched visibility—fostering a training environment that accelerates readiness while reinforcing safety. With hydraulics-free flight controls, an energy-absorbing fuselage, and crash-resistant fuel system, the MD 530F is engineered to protect the Army’s most valuable asset—its crew.

Based on the enduring 500 series airframe, it’s a military training platform that has steadily matured over decades of real-world combat experience. Proudly American-made, the MD 530F is powered by a Rolls Royce C30 engine that delivers 650 shp and excels in high-altitude, high-temperature environments. Its dual-control, NVG-compatible cockpit and durable system architecture enable minimal maintenance downtime and reduced lifecycle costs. These features translate directly into a lower total cost of ownership and a higher return on training investment.

“The Army is investing in its future warfighters, and that means delivering training tools that truly reflect operational reality,” said Ryan Weeks, President & CEO at MD Helicopters. “The MD 530F is not just ready for that mission—it was built for it.”

Key capabilities that set the MD 530F apart include:

  • Hydraulics-free flight controls that enhance tactile feedback and reduce maintenance complexity
  • Crash-resistant fuel system and an energy-absorbing fuselage to enhance crew safety
  • Dual-control, NVG-compatible cockpit for mission-relevant training, including night and limited-visibility operations
  • Rugged design and reliable components to support high availability and low operating costs

Already in service with military forces around the world, the MD 530F offers the Army a combat-relevant, operationally proven platform—not a test case.

About MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, LLC (MDH) manufactures high-performance rotorcraft solutions that support operators flying military, commercial, law enforcement, utility, and VIP mission profiles. With thousands of aircraft in service worldwide, MDH has been designing and building aircraft known for their safety, versatility, responsiveness, speed, and reliability since 1947. Our commitment to product sustainment and customer success allows MDH to deliver aircraft unmatched in their performance and reliability. MD Helicopters, LLC is owned by an investment consortium comprised of MBIA Insurance, Bardin Hill Investment Partners LP, and MB Global Partners.

Source: MD Helicopters
Photo Credit: MD Helicopters

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CAE Defense and Security to Receive Grob G120TP and Pilatus PC-21 for Future Aircrew Training Program Fleet

Canada – CAE is preparing to welcome two new aircraft types into the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program fleet, featuring distinctive new names and liveries.

  • The CT-102B Astra II (Grob G 120TP) and CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21) will enhance aircrew training capabilities

  • These aircraft are set to arrive in Moose Jaw, a key hub for CAE’s military aircrew training operations

  • CAE has delivered 25 years of aircrew training in Moose Jaw, with nearly 500,000 accumulated flight hours

  • The aircraft are part of CAE’s ongoing support for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s evolving training need

Source: CAE Defense & Security
Photo Credit: CAE Defense & Security

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Scotland’s Rubric Aviation Places Follow On Order with Elixir Aircraft to Expand Fleet

Scotland – Rubric Aviation has placed an order for its third Elixir aircraft, expanding its modern, fuel-efficient training fleet and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and reliable aviation operations.

  • The third Elixir order builds on the proven performance of the first two aircraft in Rubric Aviation’s fleet.
  • The Elixir’s full glass cockpit, intuitive avionics, and modern handling contribute to enhanced pilot training and operational confidence.
  • The aircraft’s exceptional fuel efficiency supports Rubric Aviation’s commitment to greener aviation practices.
  • Reduced maintenance costs and simplified systems contribute to greater operational reliability and lower downtime.
  • Rubric Aviation also promotes Elixir leasing solutions, highlighting the aircraft’s superior efficiency, modern avionics, and minimal maintenance needs.

Source: Rubric Aviation

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Smartflyer to Exhibit Hybrid-Electric Aircraft at Paris Airshow 2025

Paris, France – Smartflyer, Swiss aircraft manufacturer that introduces an innovative aircraft for flight training with an easy and fast swap between a hybrid and fully electric versions, will showcase its aircraft at the Paris Airshow from June 16 to 22, 2025, inviting aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals to visit their display at Static Display A6.

Learn more about Smartflyer by checking out the recent interview Rolf Stuber – the CEO and Head of Design at Smartflyer did with AFM.

Source: Smartflyer
Photo Credit: Smartflyer

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