Training aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft delivered a new Pilot 100i to global pilot training group’s Skyborne’s Florida – Vero Beach Campus recently. This delivery signifies the successful acquisition of the second aircraft out of the planned 11 for Skyborne’s growing fleet.
Source: Skyborne
Photo Credit: Skyborne
Cork, Ireland headquartered pilot training organisation Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA), announces the commencement of its transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF is an innovative plant-based fuel and can reduce carbon emissions by more than 90%. Through the acquisition of new next generation training aircraft AFTA will ensure an increasing number of its fleet can use SAF.
AFTA trains the next generation of commercial pilots and is the leading English speaking flight school in the EU providing ‘ab inito’ pilot training under European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Regulations. It has a strong partnership with both Munster Technological University and Enterprise Ireland, which is supporting the transition to SAF enabled aircraft.
AFTA’s ambition is to be a global leader in sustainable methods of pilot training for world-leading airlines, and the company has already landed it’s first SAF training aircraft, with plans to convert it’s entire fleet to alternative power plants in the coming years.
This follows on from AFTA’s achievement of being the first EASA approved flight training academy to introduce ‘Sustainability and Environmental Awareness’ in every aspect of a pilot’s training journey.
Speaking at AFTA’s ESG briefing update, Sean Kelly Ireland South MEP and member of the European Parliament Committee for Industry, Research and Energy, commented:
“It is encouraging to see how an Irish-EU based Pilot Education Academy, AFTA, who working with their MTU and airline partners, can strive to lead the global Pilot Training industry in it’s transition to a low-carbon future. Captain Mark Casey and the AFTA team are renowned as being an innovative Aviation Training Academy committed to a low-carbon emissions future and their leadership approach is recognised in Europe, by being the first EASA approved flight training academy to introduce “Sustainability and Environmental awareness” in every aspect of the pilot cadets training.
“I wish the Sustainability team at AFTA continued success in their transition to a low carbon future and further sustainable objectives.”
“I also note the findings of the recent study into the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Ireland which demonstrates its significant employment potential, up to 1000 jobs. However, as outlined in the reports (Research and Development) recommendations, it is important that Ireland and the EU continue to fund and support the promotion of SAF technologies leveraging Ireland’s third-level institutions and Government entities such as Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and SEAI.”
Commenting on AFTA’s ambitions for sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, Captain Mark Casey, AFTA CEO and Head of Training, said:
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint significantly in line with government policy by 2030. The introduction of the Diamond DA42 NG has already proven to be a ‘game changer’ for the business. These state of the art modern aircraft are quieter, significantly more fuel efficient and most importantly they can run on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) which results in a 90% reduction in carbon emissions for our fleet. The next priority for AFTA is the conversion of 15 Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft to SAF powered engines and today marks the launch of the first converted aircraft with additional aircraft to follow in quick succession. We are committed to achieving the 2030 deadline for a 100% fleet conversion to SAF ahead of schedule and we are in continuous discussions with manufacturers and airframe retrofit component providers to lock in an achievable timeline to conversion.” An acutely focused strategic priority for AFTA is to eliminate our impact on the environment. In an ever changing business environment reducing our environmental impact with SAF will serve to de-risk our business as the airline industry accelerates its transition to alternative fuels.
Devilla Flynn of Enterprise Ireland said, “In a bold stride towards a more sustainable aviation industry, Atlantic Flight Training Academy has set a remarkable example by adopting SAF to reduce their CO2 emissions. This environmentally conscious move is not only changing the way we learn to fly but also shaping the future of the aviation sector, proving that commitment to greener skies is now taking off in the classroom”.
David Crowley, Sustainability Specialist at Cork Airport said:
“Cork Airport is delighted to see this innovation taking place. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are a very important part of the aviation industry’s transition to a more sustainable future. Its’s great to see AFTA taking practical steps to demonstrate the viability of this technology on the sustainability journey to net zero.”
Source: Atlantic Flight Training Academy
Photo Credit: Atlantic Flight Training Academy
EuroPilot Center, a pilot training organisation headquartered in Belgium, welcomed France based training aircraft manufacturer Elixir Aircraft to Socal Pilot Center, its training location in the Coachella Valley in California, US. Both organizations will explore new horizons together, said EuroPilot Center.
Earlier in January 2024 EuroPilot Center announced the launch of an unprecedented 100.000 EUR for Airline Training Scholarships.
About EuroPilot & SoCal Pilot Center (and the International Pilot Center Alliance – ICPA)
EuroPilot and SoCal Pilot Center, part of the International Pilot Center Alliance (IPCA), are EASA and FAA Approved Training Organizations with Training Locations in Antwerp (Belgium) founded in 2007, and Coachella, California (USA) founded in 2015. Offering a complete series of high-level pilot training courses, ranging from EASA and FAA Private Pilot, Instrument Ratings, Commercial Pilot, APS-MCC, A-UPRT, and All-Inclusive Airline Career Programs. In addition, EASA and FAA Flight Instructor training courses are provided as well.
With an actual graduation/hiring percentage over 96%, EuroPilot & SoCal Pilot Center has been successful in offering alumni with Airline Jobs worldwide. IPCA has currently over 150 students in training, enrolled in different programs and this number is growing fast due to the worldwide Pilot Shortage.
Uniquely, the Campus in California called SoCal Pilot Center is providing both EASA training/Testing/Skill-Tests and FAA Part 141 training on US soil and is 100% owned by EuroPilot Center. The school is staffed with full-time European Flight Instructors and guarantees the highest quality standards in flight training. All facilities, including new student housing, are an integral part of the organization. The US branch is also part of the Textron Aviation, Cessna Pilot Center Network since 2016 and has been approved by CATS/PSI as an FAA Testing Center. SoCal Pilot Center is approved by the USCIS to provide M1 Visa’s to foreign students for Flight Training under the SEVIS program.
Source: EuroPilot Center
Photo Credit: EuroPilot Center
Belgium-based flight school, Skywings Flight Training, is thrilled to announce the newest member of its training fleet, OO-SKE, a Diamond DA40-D acquired at the end of 2023. This addition marks a significant step in the flight school’s transition to an “all-Diamond” fleet. The flight school will deploy this aircraft to its winter base in Spain to have two DA40 operating from Mutxamel.
In addition, Skywings Flight Training is set to expand its fleet even further this year with the addition of four brand-new Diamond Aircraft DA40-NGs. With the inclusion of these four new aircraft, they will have a total fleet of 8 Diamond training aircraft and one Diamond 40/42 simulator.
The flight training group previously shared its 2023 milestones and growth including:
Source: Skywings Flight Training
Photo Credit: Skywings Flight Training
Global pilot training group Skyborne, which operates pilot training bases across the United Kingdom and United States, has signed a letter of intent with Bye Aerospace for a further 30 eFlyer all-electric training aircraft. The commitment builds on Skyborne’s 2020 order of 10 eFlyers, with a total of 40 aircraft now set to join the academy’s US fleet in Vero Beach, Florida.
Lee Woodward, CEO, Skyborne, says: “Our partnership with Bye Aerospace reflects the pioneering spirit of Skyborne and our constant drive to redefine pilot training.
By expanding our eFlyer order and investing in an electric future, we will reduce our impact on the environment and support our airline partners with their sustainability goals. We’re proud that Skyborne students will soon begin their pilot training with net-zero flight.”
Producing zero CO2 emissions and with up to 80% lower flight operating costs compared to conventional trainers, the eFlyer is designed to offer an efficient and socially responsible alternative to fuel-based aircraft.
Rod Zastrow, President, Bye Aerospace, adds: “Skyborne is one of the most respected flight schools internationally and this further order is another tremendous endorsement of our product. It builds on the excellent customer momentum we have built during 2023. We are thrilled to begin 2024 with aviation training leader Skyborne.”
About Skyborne
Skyborne Airline Academy is a modern airline training academy based at Vero Beach, Florida, United States, and Gloucestershire Airport in the United Kingdom. Established by industry experts, Skyborne brings a fresh approach to airline pilot training.
Founders Tom Misner (chairman) and Lee Woodward (CEO) have unsurpassed experience in commercial aviation, education and training. It is their vision to create a training environment where the highest standard of teaching, safety and relevant airline-style training is maintained, and interactive learning is encouraged.
Using a combination of tried and tested methods and the latest technology to assess competence, suitability, aptitude and resilience, Skyborne aims to recruit the very best candidates to minimize additional training, reduce failure rates and provide airlines with better pilots and cabin crew.
Skyborne is proud to hold close relationships with the world’s leading airlines, offering opportunities for trainees as part of British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy, the Delta Propel Career Path Program, the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme, and the SkyWest Professional Pilot Pathway.
About Bye Aerospace
Bye Aerospace, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, stands at the forefront of electric Aviation innovation. The eFlyer series of fixed-wing aircraft is meticulously designed to disrupt general aviation, beginning with the important Aviation Training sector, with an FAA-certified, zero-emission, highly cost-effective, low-drag, low-noise, intelligent, and safety-enhanced aircraft.
Source: Skyborne
Photo Credit: Bye Aerospace
