Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Flight Training Group Leading Edge Aviation Expands Fleet With 5th Elixir Aircraft at Spain Base

Spain — Leading Edge Aviation, a flight training group operating bases in the United Kingdom and Spain, has welcomed its fifth new Elixir Aircraft to its fair-weather training base in Spain, marking another step in the academy’s ongoing fleet expansion.

  • The Elixir, a new-generation training aircraft, offers advanced avionics, safety features, and lower operating costs, aligning with the academy’s sustainability and innovation goals.

  • With its bases in the UK and Spain, Leading Edge Aviation is strategically expanding training resources to meet growing airline demand for new pilots.

Just a few days ago Leading Edge Aviation had officially welcomed LEAP-066 and MGS-043—18 students in each group (36 total)—into its integrated training programmes, continuing its steady intake of cadets pursuing commercial pilot careers.

The strong enrolment follow’s Leading Edge Aviation’s strong graduate placement performance with the organisation previously announcing the strong outcomes from its continued partnership with easyJet, with 65 students securing positions at the airline in the past 12 months. Of these, 54 cadets were tagged by easyJet before completing their training, demonstrating the strength of the pathway from training to airline employment. In total, 129 Leading Edge graduates are now employed with easyJet, reinforcing the academy’s role as a key talent pipeline for the carrier..

Source: Leading Edge Aviation

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Cirrus Delivers SR G7+ Fleet with Safe Return Autoland to Texas Southern University

USA – Cirrus Aircraft announced on 30 September 2025 that it has delivered a fleet of SR Series G7+ aircraft—equipped with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland by Garmin®—to Texas Southern University (TSU), marking TSU as the world’s first university operating a training fleet with autonomous emergency landing capability.

  • The SR Series G7+ delivery augments TSU’s existing SR Series G7 fleet and aligns with TSU’s expansion of its flight training programs, notably its new aviation campus at Ellington Airport.

  • Safe Return Emergency Autoland enables any occupant in the cabin to activate a one‑button system that autonomously flies the aircraft to a suitable airport, avoids terrain/obstacles and weather, communicates with ATC, lands, brings the plane to a full stop, and shuts down the engine.

  • This system integrates with Cirrus’s existing safety stack—including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®)—to further strengthen the safety envelope.

  • The SR Series G7 is historically Cirrus’s best‑selling high‑performance single-engine piston line (over 10,000 deliveries, 19 million flight hours). Cirrus estimates more than 280 lives have been saved by CAPS to date.

  • With the G7+, Safe Return becomes standard equipment across the SR Series line.

  • Cirrus has also obtained Transport Canada validation for the Safe Return system in the G7+ platform, expanding regulatory acceptance.

  • TSU leadership framed the acquisition as a landmark investment in innovation, positioning the university as a forward‑looking institution for aviation education among historically Black public universities.

Statements:

  • “Congratulations to Texas Southern University and the Department of Aviation Science and Technology on their new fleet of SR Series G7+ equipped with Safe Return Emergency Autoland. Texas Southern University is the first university with an advanced aircraft featuring robust safety systems to invite more people to learn how to fly, better train students and provide added peace of mind.” –  Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer, Cirrus

  • “The acquisition of this new fleet of advanced technology aircraft marks a defining moment in the continued ascent of Texas Southern University Aviation. This investment signals our institution’s commitment to excellence and innovation and opens the door to boundless opportunities for current and future Texas Southern University students.” – said President J. W. Crawford III

Source: Cirrus Aircraft

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Smartflyer Integrates Neo3D 3D Printing into Hybrid Aircraft Program

Switzerland — Smartflyer, the Swiss developer of the hybrid‑electric SF‑1 general aviation aircraft, has announced a new partnership with Neo3D AG, unveiling a collaboration to integrate advanced 3D‑printed components that enhance efficiency and reduce weight.

  • Neo3D will supply lightweight, precisely engineered parts for Smartflyer’s SF‑1 hybrid aircraft, aimed at boosting performance and efficiency

  • Smartflyer intends to leverage these additive manufacturing advances to refine its aircraft architecture, potentially accelerating development and reducing material waste

  • The partnership aligns with Smartflyer’s ongoing efforts to finalize the SF‑1 prototype, ahead of its planned first flight in 2026 and eventual certification roadmap toward 2030

Learn more about Smartflyer here through listening to its interview with AFM.

Source: Smartflyer

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Canada’s Military Pilot Training Program Hits Milestone with New Helicopter Test Flights

Canada – Airbus Helicopters has successfully conducted the first production test flights of the H135/CT-153 Juno helicopters selected for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. The milestone marks a significant step forward in SkyAlyne’s modernization of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot training.

  • The H135 helicopters, designated CT-153 Juno by the RCAF, underwent approximately one-hour production test flights focusing on mechanical and avionics system performance.

  • These twin-engine aircraft were selected by SkyAlyne as the new rotary-wing training platform under the FAcT program, replacing older analog aircraft to reflect current operational realities.

  • Final customization and installation of Canadian-developed supplemental type certificates (STCs) will occur at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie, Ontario.

  • The aircraft are equipped with Helionix avionics, offering trainees hands-on experience with advanced digital cockpit systems early in their flight careers.

  • According to SkyAlyne, this approach allows RCAF cadets to train on platforms more aligned with the operational aircraft they will eventually fly, improving training continuity and fleet transition.

Statements

  • “By operating twin-engines from the outset of training, future RCAF pilots will be immersed in a real-world environment that matches the current operational fleet, ensuring a seamless transition to their first operational units.” – David Farman, Head of Training, SkyAlyne

About SkyAlyne
SkyAlyne is a Canadian joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, established to deliver the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The consortium integrates military and civil aviation expertise to develop a unified, modern pilot training solution for Canada, encompassing both fixed- and rotary-wing instruction.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus Group, is a leading global manufacturer of civil and military rotorcraft. With a production and completion center in Fort Erie, Ontario, Airbus Helicopters plays a key role in Canadian defense programs and supports localized final assembly, certification, and engineering services.

Source: SkyAlyne

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Portugal’s Omni Aviation Training Center Selects Elixir Aircraft for Fleet Renewal

Portugal – Omni Aviation Training Center (OATC) has selected Elixir Aircraft to renew its training fleet, marking a significant step in modernising its operations at Cascais Aerodrome.

  • OATC, founded in 1998, will transition from legacy trainers to Elixir’s 4th-generation two-seater, equipped with a full glass cockpit, whole-aircraft parachute, and autopilot level mode.

  • The fleet renewal is backed by Green Aero Lease, ensuring maximum operational availability and carbon neutrality through offsetting.

  • Elixir Aircraft, based in La Rochelle, France, has 35 aircraft in service, over 300 on order, and recently secured FAA FAR Part-23 certification in July 2025.

  • In June 2025, Elixir was also selected by ENAC (École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile) for its fleet renewal.

Statements

  • “We designed the 4th generation aircraft to contribute to the excellence of future pilot training and bring a more sustainable aviation,” said Arthur Léopold-Léger, President and Co-founder of Elixir Aircraft.
  • “OATC is entering a new phase: more modern aircraft, stronger airline-style training, and more flying opportunities for our students. The Elixir perfectly embodies the safety, efficiency, and sustainability we want for the next generation of pilots,” added Dylan van Haasen, Head of Training at OATC.

Source:

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