Archives: Market Intelligences

Flight Simulator Manufacturer, Flightdeck Solutions, Rolls C208 Caravan Device of Production Line in 2025

Newmarket, Ontario, Canada – Flightdeck Solutions (FDS) has rolled off the production line a “tricked-out” C208 Caravan device with its own instructor hideout at the start of 2025.

This follow’s November 2024’s announcement that FDS had completed the expansion of its headquarters, increasing its facility to 10,000 square feet to accommodate growth in both domestic and international markets. The expansion reflects the company’s measured approach to scaling operations after 24 years of serving the aviation training industry.

“While we’ve doubled our facility size approximately every decade, this expansion is different,” explained Peter Cos, President of Flightdeck Solutions. “We’ve implemented purpose-built production areas and enhanced quality control systems that will benefit our customers for years to come.”

The newly configured facility introduces dedicated device assembly bays with upgraded infrastructure, effectively doubling production capacity. A new demonstration area enables customers to experience fully-built aircraft trainers, complete with a 220-degree wrap-around visual display system, able to support a range of aircraft builds, including A320, B737MAX, and Q400 models.

FDS’s steady growth is evidenced by its delivery of 25 flight training devices to Canadian institutions alone over the past two years.

About Flightdeck Solutions
Flightdeck Solutions (FDS) is a global provider to the aerospace and aviation industry for a wide range of flight simulation products and services. Over its 24-year history FDS has gained worldwide trust for producing high quality, immersive and fully tactile FTD trainers, becoming the solution of choice for companies and educational institutions around the world. With devices such as the B737MAX, B737NG, A320, B787, B777, and B747, and trusted by companies like Boeing, Honeywell, and CAE, FDS has built a reputation for providing both custom hardware solutions and turnkey offerings, delivering excellence in quality while maintaining financial responsibility.

Source: Flightdeck Solutions

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – FTD.aero

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Filip Witczak – Product Manager at FTD.aero, a Non-Motion Flight Training Devices Manufacturer based in Poland with expertise in designing and manufacturing flight simulators since 2009.

The conversation covers:

  • Company Background and Growth: FTD.aero, founded in 2009 by Filip Witczak, Cpt. Marcin Ambroziak and Krzysztof (Chris) Kimnes, began as a passion-driven startup in Poland and has grown into a 30-person team specializing in non-motion flight simulators. The company develops Boeing and Airbus-based simulators, offering both type-specific and type-representative devices for global clients, including airlines, flight schools, and universities.
  • Key Products and Innovations: FTD.aero provides EASA and FAA-compliant simulators, including the B737 MAX/NG and A320 models. Devices are tailored to client needs, offering high-fidelity cockpits with many original components for immersive, cost-effective training compared to Level D full-flight simulators. FTD.aero uses ARINC and CANBUS for compatibility with aviation standards and increased reliability. Their in-house engineering allows for full flexibility in configuration and future upgrades of each device built by them.
  • Partnerships and Projects: FTD.aero recently partnered with South Korean airline T’way Air to deliver a B738 simulator convertible to a B73M model to adapt to the airline’s changing fleet. Other successful long-term partnerships include LOT Polish Airlines, Urbe Aero Flight Academy (Italy) and VDL Aviation (Poland), reflecting strong customer satisfaction and trust.
  • Expansion and Market Outlook: The company is targeting international markets, including the booming Indian market, to meet increasing pilot training demands driven by aircraft orders and airline growth. Filip sees opportunities in advanced technologies like AI, VR, and AR to enhance pilot training and address instructor shortages.
  • Challenges and Vision: Filip highlighted regulatory delays as a challenge for adopting advanced training technologies and emphasized the need for updated standards. FTD.aero remains focused on providing tailored, high-quality solutions, emphasizing customer partnerships, long-term support, and cost-effective training for a global market.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

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Philippine Air Force Provides Decommissioned Turbine Engines to Flight School to Boost Aviation Training

Cavite, Philippines – Cebu headquartered flight school Airworks Aviation Company, Inc. marked a key milestone in its mission to prepare aspiring aviation professionals with the turnover ceremony of decommissioned turbine engines by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at Danilo Atienza Airbase. This collaboration underscores the importance of investing in education and human capital for the country’s aviation sector.

  • The turnover of turbine engines provides valuable training resources for Airworks Aviation students, enabling hands-on experience essential for airline readiness.
  • The initiative reflects a growing focus on public-private partnerships (PPPs) in educational development, an area often overshadowed by large infrastructure projects.
  • Key PAF officials involved include Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, Brig. Gen. Juliano Llarenas, Col. Rover Sobrino, and Ms. Trina Estrada, who facilitated the resource-sharing partnership.
  • Airworks Aviation President Vincent Charles Ong emphasized the transformational impact of such partnerships on the next generation of aviation professionals.

Statements

  • “This low-key partnership with the government is just a drop in the bucket, but the impact this will have on the students who will get to train in these engines will be transformational,” said Vincent Charles Ong, President of Airworks Aviation Company.

Source: Vincent Charles Ong (Airworks Aviation Company)
Photo Credit: Vincent Charles Ong (Airworks Aviation Company)

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Czech Republic-based University Enhances Training with Elite S311 Simulator Installation

Brno, Czech Republic – Elite Simulation Solutions has announced the successful installation of an S311 flight simulator at Brno University of Technology. The achievement highlights the company’s adaptability, as its simulators are designed to fit through standard 80cm-wide doors, ensuring seamless delivery and setup regardless of location.

About Elite Simulation Solutions
ELITE Simulation Solutions, based in Dübendorf, Zürich, is one of the world’s leading providers of IFR training software, flight controls and flight training devices. We build and support EASA, FAA, CASA, ANAC and DGCA approved flight training devices and offer custom programming to both private and government entities.

About Brno University of Technology
Brno University of Technology, located in Brno, Czech Republic, is a prestigious technical university offering programs in engineering, technology, and aviation.

Source: Elite Simulation Solutions
Photo Credit: Elite Simulation Solutions

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Diamond Aircraft Received DA42 Aircraft Order from Air India

Austria – Training aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft is delighted to announce a deal with Air India for the acquisition of three new twin-engine DA42-VI aircraft – with an option for six more – for Air India’s new Flight Training Organization (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra. This order marks the start of Diamond Aircraft’s cooperation with India’s flag carrier airline. Delivery of the first plane is anticipated in summer 2025.

“We are thrilled to play such a vital role in Air India’s drive to become entirely self-sufficient in training new pilots for its expanding fleet. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership,” said Jane Wang, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Flight Ops at Diamond Aircraft Austria.

“The DA42-VI is designed to make transitioning from single- to multi-engine aircraft training much easier, and Air India’s future cadets will benefit from this. The glass cockpit will help prepare them for their future careers flying large commercial jets,” continued Wang.

The four-seat DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s industry-leading, twin-engine piston plane. Ideal for pilot training, its jet-fuel powerplant generates fuel savings of up to 50% compared to conventional AVGAS-powered twins, and its panoramic canopy provides excellent visibility during flight maneuvers.

“We are excited to partner with Diamond Aircraft as we set up India’s first airline-owned and operated cadet pilot school. We see this as the beginning of a partnership with Diamond to support Air India’s vision to strengthen the aviation training ecosystem in India and become self-reliant,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.

Air India’s pilot school will be officially opened in the second half of 2025 as South Asia’s largest flight school, training around 180 pilots each year. It will be equipped with digitally enabled classrooms, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The DA42 will come into play as cadets progress to multi-engine flight training.

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, DA40 XLT) 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: Diamond Aircraft
Photo Credit: Diamond Aircraft

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