Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Global Pilot Training Group, BAA Training, Expands Training Facilities in Spain

BAA Training, one of the leading independent aviation training organizations, is undertaking a large expansion project at Lleida-Alguaire, Spain where its ground and flight schools are located. In addition to operating from the Lleida-Alguaire Airport premises, it is now building its own training facilities with new buildings for students in anticipation of increased demand for pilot training. BAA Training and the Lleida-Alguaire International Airport jointly manage the project.

The upgrades and expansion, set to be fully finished by October this year, will allow doubling the current student capacity, streamlining the operations and creating a more effective and suitable training environment for networking and collaboration.

Joaquin Alejandro Suescun Atencio, Head of Flight School Operations, says: “We anticipate increased student enrolment and prioritize comfort, as well as improved training outcomes. Therefore, a strategic decision was made to design and build new student facilities. They will include new study areas built from scratch, well-equipped briefing rooms, spacious lounges, green areas, and more.”

“Not only will we be able to accommodate more students, but also we will also create an immersive infrastructure for both the faculty and students, fostering community-building among our aviation enthusiasts,” he adds.

The new main building will have the capacity to seat 40 students and a briefing area with 15 spots that will allow for seamless coordination between theory and practical training. The aircraft will be waiting for students just in front of the building, making them easy to reach. The training facility itself will also be easily accessible, with ample parking space available.

Avia Repair Co, a new BAA Training’s own MRO organization currently under the certification process for Spanish CAA (AESA), will play a crucial role in ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the entire fleet of aircraft used for training purposes. With the hangar close to the flight and ground school facilities, the seamless facilitation of conducting routine inspections, repairs, and any necessary maintenance tasks will become a reality.

Maciej Będzieszak, Deputy Technical Manager in the Technical Division, comments: “The company will offer maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the BAA Training fleet of Tecnam P2006 and Cessna 172s. However, we also expect to have external clients and service other aircraft types by Q4 of 2023.”

BAA Training’s flight school has pursued a fleet upgrade plan, and as of January 2023, all single-engine training has been conducted using the Cessna 172s aircraft with the G1000 avionics system. According to the company plans, it will increase the Cessna 172s fleet this and next year and introduce a Piper Seminole in 2024.

BAA Training is part of Avia Solutions Group, one of the world’s largest ACMI providers, operating a fleet of 180 passenger and cargo aircraft worldwide. The group is the parent company of SmartLynx, Avion Express, Bluebird Nordic, BBN Indonesia, KlasJet, Magma Aviation, and more.

Source: BAA Training Press Release
Photo Credit: BAA Training

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US Flight School, Thrust Flight, Takes Delivery of New Multi-Engine Aircraft

Texas, United States based flight training group Thrust Flight is excited to announce it has taken delivery of two new air-conditioned Piper Seminole aircraft. With this delivery, Thrust Flight currently has four multi-engine aircraft in their rapidly growing fleet.

Thrust Flight takes pride in providing new and modern aircraft for their Zero Time to Airline® students to train in. Their training fleet consists of Piper Archer TXs, Cessna 172S Skyhawks, and Piper Seminoles. This exciting event marks the second delivery they are expecting this year.

“We are thrilled to welcome two new Piper Seminoles to our growing fleet!”, says Patrick Arnzen, CEO of Thrust Flight. “This addition represents yet another leap for Thrust Flight and our students. As a passionate aviator and educator, I am excited to witness the school’s growth as we continue to provide amazing opportunities for our students. These new Piper Seminoles will elevate the quality of our training programs even further by providing our students with an unparalleled learning experience as they prepare for successful careers in the aviation industry.”

The Piper Seminoles are exclusively used for the school’s multi-engine rating course. This course gives students the knowledge and training to properly fly aircraft with multiple engines. This rating is completed in the last half of their training program since it requires a higher level of skill set a new pilot hasn’t acquired yet.

Thrust Flight is currently awaiting the deliveries of eight new Piper Archer TXs, and a Game Composites GB1 GameBird later this winter.

The school’s Piper Archers, Cessna 172S Skyhawks, and Seminoles are technically advanced aircraft equipped with the G1000 avionics suite. All of Thrust Flight’s fleet is equipped with an autopilot system and are air-conditioned, making them highly effective and comfortable training aircraft. The school takes great pride in providing one of the newest fleets for students to train in, showcasing the same technology they will be using in the airlines.

Thrust Flight has experienced significant demand for its professional pilot program called Zero Time to Airline® and these new aircraft play a critical role in increasing training availability at both their Addison and Denison, TX locations.

About Piper Aircraft

Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single and twin-engine aircraft and is the first general aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland. The single-engine M-Class series – the M600SLS, M500, and M350 – offers businesses and individuals elegant performance, value, and a superior ownership experience. The Personal Class Seneca V, Archer LX, and Archer DLX balance proven performance, efficiency, and simplicity in a piston-powered aircraft. The Trainer Class Pilot 100i, Archer TX, Archer DX, Arrow, Seminole, and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

About Thrust Flight

Thrust Flight is a leading flight school with multiple locations in North Texas. Over the course of their 15-year history, they have trained thousands of pilots who have traveled from around the world to train with them. Through their flagship program, Zero Time to Airline®, they fully prepare flight students for a career at the airlines.

Source: Thrust Flight Press Release
Photo Credit: Thrust Flight

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer, Textron, Elects Retired General Michael X. Garrett to Board of Directors

Textron Inc. announced that Michael X. Garrett has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023. Garrett is a retired United States Army four-star general with nearly 40 years of service, most recently serving as Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), the largest command in the U.S. Army, from March 2019 until his retirement in July 2022.

“We are honored to add General Garrett to our Board,” said Textron Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly. “His extensive experience in the military and deep understanding of training and deploying U.S. military forces will enable our company to better serve our military customers. We are fortunate to have a leader and strategic thinker of such high caliber joining our Board,” Donnelly added.

As FORSCOM Commander, General Garrett led 750,000 combat and support personnel through the COVID-19 pandemic and a shifting global security landscape. His earlier command tours included U.S. Army Central Command for almost four years, during which he was responsible for all Army activity in the Central Command area. Previously, he spent six years leading Army activity in the Middle East, first as Chief of Staff, U.S. Central Command and later as commanding general.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Textron team,” General Garrett said. “Their corporate values of integrity, respect, trust, and pursuit of excellence reflect the ethos I’ve always sought to instill within the Army’s soldiers, families, and teams. I look forward to serving Textron in support of its corporate goals and strong culture.”

General Garrett currently serves as an Executive in Residence for Fayetteville State University, a Distinguished Senior Fellow on National Security at the Middle East Institute, a Senior Mentor at the U.S. Army War College and a director of Semper Fi & America’s Fund.

He is a graduate of Xavier University, and a career Infantryman, paratrooper and Army Ranger. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service and Defense Superior Service medals, and he is a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems.

Source: Textron Press Release
Photo Credit: Textron

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