Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Middle East Airline Owned Flight Academy Emirates Flight Training Academy Flies its Latest Fleet of Diamond Aircraft

Emirates Flight Training Academy’s three new Diamond aircraft have taken to the skies and flown straight into the cadet training programme. Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA), which delivers one of the most advanced pilot training programmes in the world, welcomed the third Diamond DA42-VI light piston twin-engine aircraft into its fleet recently. The Diamonds have ushered in multi-engine piston (MEP) training at the academy, serving as a bridge between training on a single engine and a light jet, and rounding off EFTA’s training fleet to 30 aircraft.

With a flying range of 1,225 nautical miles and resplendent in Emirates’ new signature livery, the aircraft made their journey from Vienna, Austria to Dubai and it was nothing short of a travel log as EFTA’s instructor pilots made pit stops in Heraklion, Crete and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Combined with the 27 Cirrus and Phenom jets in its fleet, EFTA’s students will train on three types of aircraft before they graduate from the academy – a rarity in the world of cadet flight training.

Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy, said: “Our vision for our cadet programme is to constantly invest in and shape our training ecosystem with the most sophisticated tools, technology and infrastructure, which ensure our cadets are real-world ready and graduate with the highest levels of skills, capability and competence. We will continue to deliver on our promise to maintain a steady and robust pipeline of pilots for Emirates and the airline industry.

The Diamonds fit perfectly in between our single engine aircraft and the very light jets in our training fleet. Reliable, cutting-edge and eco-friendly, they are fully aligned to our goals as our trainees now also gain experience on multi-engine piston aircraft. Our cadets are delighted with the addition to the fleet – it means more aircraft types and a more varied learning experience.”

Liqun (Frank) Zhang, CEO Diamond Aircraft Austria said: “We are very proud to be part of Emirates’ history and commend them on their vision regarding the newest technologies for the next generation of airline pilots. We are looking forward to EFTA’s success, leveraging Diamond’s industry-leading technology, cost effectiveness, safety and environmental responsibility.”

The academy had placed the order for the three Diamond DA42-VI aircraft and its corresponding flight simulator in March this year in a deal worth EUR 4 million in list prices. The simulator is expected to be delivered soon. Cadets will commence training on the Diamond aircraft in the coming months.

The 4-seat DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s technology leading light piston twin-engine aircraft. It’s the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframe, avionics, and power plants.

With its unique combination of performance and utility, the jet fuel powered DA42-VI is designed to make transitioning from single to twin engine much easier. The aircraft generates fuel savings of up to 50% compared to conventional AVGAS powered twins, and its panoramic canopy provides excellent visibility during all flight manoeuvres.

About Emirates Flight Training Academy

In 2017, Emirates launched the Emirates Flight Training Academy in Dubai South to train UAE nationals and international cadets to become pilots. The Academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 30 training aircraft to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying. All graduates have the unique opportunity to go through Emirates’ stringent recruitment process – which has had a success rate of 100% to-date.

Currently, EFTA’s fleet has 22 x Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston, 5 x Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jet, and 3 x Diamond DA42-VI light piston twin-engine aircraft.

EFTA’s state-of-the-art facility, which is equal to 200 football fields, currently has 36 modern classrooms, 6 full motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800m long runway.

Ground school (53 weeks): All 36 classrooms are equipped with two 86″ touchscreens, running bespoke training software created specifically for EFTA. Cadets undergo at least 1,100 hours of ground-based training, and access the material via their own devices, which are digitally interconnected, creating an interactive training environment.

Flying school (315 hours): Cadets train on simulators, single-engine Cirrus and Phenom jets, and soon on the Diamond twin-engine aircraft. 

About Diamond Aircraft’s Flight Training Solution

Diamond’s dedication to flight training has shaped its product line of modern fuel-efficient aircraft, each with a specific training application in mind. With its complete line of piston aircraft including a dedicated flight training concept with Single Engine Piston (DA40 NG) and Multi Engine Piston (DA42-VI) trainers, along with type-specific flight training simulators and proprietary jet-fuel engines, Diamond Aircraft is the only sole source provider in the flight training market.

Source: Emirates Press Release
Photo Credit: Emirates

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Pipistrel Expands Presence in Africa with Appointment of Distributor

Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, is bolstering its African sales network with the appointment of Absolute Aviation, headquartered at Lanseria International airport in South Africa, as its distributor to 11 countries across southern and central Africa.

Already a longstanding channel partner of Textron Aviation as an authorized sales, service and parts representative for Cessna and Beechcraft in southern and central Africa, Absolute Aviation will take on responsibility for sales, service support and training for Pipistrel’s ultralight, light sport and type certified aircraft, which include the Alpha Trainer, Velis Electro, Explorer and Panthera. Absolute Aviation will also showcase demonstration aircraft across the region to promote Pipistrel’s offerings.

Absolute Aviation will serve Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“We’re fully committed to building our network of distributors so that we can precisely meet the needs of our customers across Africa,” says Steve Mckenna, director of Sales and Marketing, Pipistrel. “As an established Textron Aviation channel partner, Absolute Aviation’s customer-centric approach is well known to us and we’re looking forward to extending this collaboration to showcase Pipistrel.”

“Extending our relationship with Textron to include Pipistrel underlines the trust we have developed and the success we have delivered,” adds Neil Howard, CEO, Absolute Aviation. “We are committed to building on this track record for Pipistrel in the fast-growing African market.”

The appointment of Absolute Aviation follows Pipistrel’s expansion of its distribution network in key regions across the globe. Most recently, Pipistrel appointed Lincoln Park Aviation (LPA) as its distributor for 15 US states and Lanier Flight Center as its distributor for five US states.

Source: Pipistrel Aircraft Press Release
Photo Credit: Pipistrel Aircraft

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer, Magnus Aircraft, Signs Electric Powered Aircraft Project Implementation Contract with University

The signing of the contract marked the start of the development of an electric-powered touring aircraft to meet market needs, as well as the implementation of joint research and development projects. The eFusion, an environmentally friendly, all-electric, two-seater light aircraft, will be Hungary’s first type-certified aircraft equipped with a fully electric propulsion system.

“The joint work that has just started fits in well with the development plans of our university in the aviation industry, especially in the field of innovation and research and development,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács, Rector of Óbuda University, at the signing of the cooperation agreement. As he said, Óbuda University has already made significant efforts to increase engineering competences in line with the requirements of the aviation industry, and has long had aviation competences and training programs, and is also involved in several international projects in this field.

The eFusion’s operating cost per flight hour is a fraction of other training aircraft, and it will fundamentally reform pilot training in addition to aircraft manufacturing. In order to create a new type of aircraft, the university is involved in the design of the so-called propulsion chain (the system that drives the aircraft),” said Prof. Dr. András Molnár, Vice-Rector General.

“The electric aircraft will open up new possibilities for sustainable transport for those who use air transport for short and medium distance journeys. To this end, we are embarking on joint research and development projects,” said László Boros, CEO of Magnus Aircraft Zrt. He added: “The full professional competence and support of Óbuda University in this field is important to us. Our company will do everything in its power to ensure the success of the projects, so that the jointly developed aircraft can be brought to the market as soon as possible as a result of the cooperation. Our specialists are involved in the project by designing, assembling and testing the fuselage. We intend to enter the international competition with a development based on a purely Hungarian innovative minds and later with a product,” said the CEO.

Following the previously concluded letter of intent, the parties have defined the tasks, responsibilities and financing points in the complete project implementation contract, in addition to the specific objectives.

Source: Magnus Aircraft Announcement
Photo Credit: Magnus Aircraft

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