Archives: Market Intelligences

Nebraska, USA’s Ignite Flight Academy Highlights New Partnership with Sallie Mae to Offer Full Financing for Pilot Training

Nebraska, USA – Ignite Flight Academy has partnered with Sallie Mae, a major U.S. private education loan provider, to offer flexible financing solutions for aspiring pilots. The new funding option is designed to make pilot training more financially accessible by covering up to 100% of Pro Pilot Program costs.

Curious to learn more about Ignite Flight Academy – check out the interview it did with AFM earlier this year here.

Source: Ignite Flight Academy

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Simaero Expands A320 Training Capacity in Paris – RFT Targeted in December 2025

France – Simaero, a global operator of full-flight simulator training centers, has announced the ready for training status of new A320 ceo/neo full-flight simulator (FFS) and increased training slots at its Paris Charles de Gaulle Training Center, starting December 2025. The new device—currently in the final phase of certification with the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC)—will become fully operational before year-end, significantly increasing Simaero’s A320 training capacity in Europe.

  • The A320 ceo/neo Level D simulator will expand Simaero’s Paris-based fleet to two Airbus A320 FFS devices, offering airlines greater scheduling flexibility and planning visibility ahead of the 2026 training season.
  • The new A320 CEO/NEO simulator, manufactured by China Simulation Sciences Co., Ltd. (CSS), is being assembled and integrated in-house by Simaero’s technical and engineering teams and will be co-located with an A350 FFS inside the company’s new Paris CDG training center, which opened in April 2025.
  • The Paris installation coincides with Simaero’s broader international growth strategy, particularly in Asia. As AFM reported, Simaero will launch operations in India by January 2026, pending DGCA approval as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO).  The India training center will initially feature an Airbus A320neo FFS for type rating and recurrent training,

Source: Simaero

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Blackshape and Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise Jointly Exhibit at Dubai Airshow 2025

Europe & Middle East – Blackshape Aircraft, the Italian aircraft manufacturer known for its advanced composite training and surveillance platforms, is exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow 2025 in partnership with Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE). The two companies are showcasing their aircraft and pilot training offering at the Inspiration Zone, Booth 2027, from 17–21 November.

This appearance follows a year of active collaboration between the two organizations under their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abu Dhabi, which formalized a strategic partnership to expand training, defense, and civil aviation solutions across Europe and the Middle East.

In December 2024 AFM reported that Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE) welcomed the arrival of the Blackshape Gabriél aircraft at its base in Cyprus. The aircraft underwent a series of test flights and assessments by IAE’s expert teams to explore its applications in firefighting and military training, surveillance, and specialized civil missions.

Learn more about Blackshape Aircraft by listening to its AFM interview earlier this year.

Source: Blackshape Aircraft & Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise
Photo Credit: Blackshape Aircraft

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IndiGo Advances to Evidence-Based Training Model to Enhance Pilot Competence and Safety

India – IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share and fleet size, has announced plans to implement Evidence-Based Training (EBT) for its flight crew — a next-generation pilot training framework designed to strengthen safety, decision-making, and performance competencies through data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The move represents a major evolution in IndiGo’s flight training philosophy as it transitions from its current Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) model toward a fully integrated, evidence-driven program aligned with global best practices in airline pilot development.

  • A senior IndiGo official confirmed that the airline is in the process of “baselining CBTA”, a necessary step before full adoption of EBT, which uses operational performance data to tailor training to actual in-flight challenges faced by pilots.
  • “When you become CBTA-compliant, you eventually end up, once you mature, you become EBT-compliant,” the official said. “Now, with all the data we are going to use, and with the help of the world’s best practices and consultants, we need to see how we can eventually reach the EBT stage.”
  • IndiGo will leverage its vast operational database — drawn from over 2,300 daily flights and a fleet exceeding 400 aircraft — to develop training profiles informed by real-world evidence.
  • The EBT system will integrate AI-driven data validation and analytics to identify behavioural patterns, performance trends, and areas for skill reinforcement across core competencies such as situational awareness, decision-making, and crew resource management (CRM).
  • The airline anticipates a 12–18 month implementation timeline for the program, which will be developed in collaboration with global training consultants and OEM partners.

The airline’s pilot workforce, now numbering over 5,300, is expected to double by 2030, supported by a growing order book of 900+ aircraft, including upcoming wide-body additions for long-haul operations.

Source: Indigo and Media Reporting

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Hillsboro Aero Academy Highlights Hillsboro Heli Academy Training Program to EMS and Offshore Sectors

Oregon, USA – Hillsboro Heli Academy (HHA), one of the United States’ largest helicopter flight training institutions, has highlighted its Career Pathway Program — offering specialized pilot training routes that directly align with high-demand careers in emergency medical services (EMS), aerial firefighting, and offshore operations. Through strategic partnerships with leading operators such as ADAC Luftrettung gGmbH and Bristow Norway, the academy continues to strengthen its position as a key global provider of professional helicopter pilot training.

The Career Pathway Program is designed to prepare helicopter pilots for employment in mission-critical aviation roles, including EMS, utility, firefighting, and offshore transport. It offers structured progression from initial training to guaranteed interviews or job placement opportunities with international partners.

HHA’s partnerships provide direct employment linkage with two of Europe’s leading rotorcraft operators:

  • ADAC Luftrettung gGmbH Pathway: One of Europe’s largest air rescue organizations, operating more than 50 helicopters across 37 bases in Germany. The partnership addresses a growing pilot shortage—projected to reach 100–200 new EMS pilots in Germany over the next decade.
    • Students complete HHA’s Joint EASA/FAA Professional Pilot Program, after which ADAC covers the DLR aptitude test costs. Successful candidates join ADAC’s pilot pool for potential employment as rescue pilots once vacancies become available.
  • Bristow Norway Offshore Track: Established in December 2021, this track provides a guaranteed pilot interview with Bristow Norway upon completion of program requirements. The training integrates EASA CPL with ATPL theory alongside FAA PPL, IR, CPL, CFI, and CFII certifications, enabling cross-qualified graduates.
    • Students typically complete the program in 12–15 months, accumulating around 200 flight hours. Those on F-1 student visas can remain in the U.S. to work as instructors or commercial helicopter pilots for up to 23.5 months, often reaching 1,500 flight hours before returning to Europe.
    • Applicants for the Bristow Norway track must demonstrate proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish and pass a dedicated aptitude assessment prior to acceptance.

The program’s long-term objective is to create a global talent pipeline connecting the U.S. training environment with the European helicopter sector’s growing demand for professional pilots.

Source: Hillsboro Heli Academy

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