Archives: Market Intelligences

MML Keystone Acquires Coptersafety, The Largest Independent Helicopter Simulator Training Provider in Europe

Finland – MML Keystone announced the acquisition of Coptersafety, the largest independent provider of helicopter full flight simulator pilot training in Europe. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Coptersafety operates a purpose-built, state-of-the-art helicopter simulator training centre five minutes from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The company owns and operates five full flight simulators, covering the most in-demand light-medium and medium helicopter platforms used in emergency services, offshore, government and VVIP operations.

Coptersafety delivers mandatory, safety-critical training to professional helicopter operators globally, with approximately 95% of sales generated internationally. The business benefits from structurally strong demand drivers, long-standing customer relationships and limited industry capacity.

Coptersafety holds approvals from major aviation authorities, including EASA, the FAA, the UK CAA and Transport Canada among multiple other local Civil Aviation Authority approvals.

MML Keystone is investing alongside the existing management team, which will continue to lead the business and retain a meaningful shareholding. Sentica Partners, which has supported Coptersafety since 2015, will exit the investment following a period of significant growth and development for the business.

Statements

  • Hannu Marjoniemi, CEO and Co-Founder of Coptersafety, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome MML Keystone as our new partner. Their experience backing asset-backed, essential services businesses and supporting international growth makes them an excellent fit for Coptersafety. This partnership will allow us to expand capacity, invest in additional simulators (along with new locations) and continue delivering the highest quality training to our customers worldwide.’
  • Sharand Maharaj, Co-Managing Partner of MML Keystone, commented: ‘Coptersafety runs a scarce piece of safety infrastructure in European aviation: full-flight simulator training capacity on the helicopter types operators depend on for the most demanding missions. In a market where approvals are hard-won and capacity cannot be conjured overnight, Coptersafety has built a business with disciplined capacity economics and highly recurring demand. What stood out in diligence was outstanding and consistent operator respect for the training quality and the calibre of the team. We are excited to back management as they expand capacity in Helsinki and scale the business internationally.’

The MML Keystone deal team included Sharand Maharaj (Co-Managing Partner), Arttu Koivula (Investment Manager) and Javier Perez (Investment Associate).

Coptersafety and Sentica Partners were advised by: ICECAPITAL Securities Ltd (M&A Advisory) and Krogerus Attorneys Ltd (Legal).

MML was advised by: Danske Bank (M&A and Debt Advisory), Borenius (Legal), PwC (Financial and Tax Due Diligence), Roland Berger (Commercial Due Diligence), Marsh (Insurance Due Diligence) and Sustainable Advantage (ESG).

Source: MML

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Airbus Delivers 793 Aircraft in 2025

Global – Airbus reported a 4% year-on-year increase in aircraft deliveries for 2025, highlighting the sustained global demand for its single-aisle and widebody aircraft families. The company’s latest figures underscore continued momentum in commercial aviation recovery and expansion, with implications for future pilot hiring and simulator training capacity.

  • Airbus delivered 793 aircraft to 91 customers in 2025, up from 766 in 2024 and 735 in 2023.

  • The year closed with a record commercial order backlog of 8,754 aircraft, including a widebody backlog high of 1,124.

  • Gross orders totaled 1,000 across 57 customers (889 net), including:

    • 49 A220s

    • 656 A320s

    • 100 A330neos

    • 193 A350s

    • 2 A330 MRTTs (Multi Role Tanker Transports)

  • Significant deliveries included:

    • A220 Family: 93 in 2025, up from 75 in 2024 and 68 in 2023 (almost 8 per month)

    • A320 Family: 607 in 2025, up slightly from 602 in 2024 and 571 in 2023 (almost 51 per month)

    • A330 Family: 36 in 2025, compared to 32 in both 2024 and 2023 (3 per month)

    • A350 Family: 57 in 2025, equal to 2024, but slightly down from 64 in 2023 (almost 5 per month)

  • 2025 saw key first deliveries and new operator entries for the A220, A321XLR, A330neo, and A350-1000.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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Florida-Based Epic Flight Academy Targets Growing Aircraft Maintenance Demand

Florida, USA – Epic Flight Academy, a US-based aviation training organisation operating FAA Part 147 aircraft maintenance programmes, is expanding its role in addressing the growing aircraft mechanic shortage as airlines face sustained challenges in maintaining certified maintenance staff.

  • Epic Flight Academy’s aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) training programme in New Smyrna Beach is positioning itself as a pipeline for new airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics entering the workforce.

  • According to Epic Flight Academy, approximately 60 students are trained concurrently in its maintenance programme, focused on preparing candidates for FAA A&P certification.

  • Industry demand remains strong, with median annual wages for aircraft mechanics exceeding USD 78,700, and experienced mechanics earning over USD 120,000 depending on certification, experience, and location.

  • Boeing has forecast a requirement for approximately 700,000 new aircraft mechanics globally over the next 20 years, underscoring the long-term nature of the shortage.

  • Epic’s programme targets students seeking alternatives to traditional four-year college pathways, with entry requirements focused on foundational math, physics, and measurement skills rather than advanced academic backgrounds.

Statement

  • “If you have a basic knowledge of math and physics and you’re pretty decent at measuring, you can be successful here,” said Jesse Dunn, Director of Education at Epic Flight Academy.

Source: Epic Flight Academy

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National Flight Training Alliance Appoints Paul J. Preidecker as Senior Vice President of Communications

USA – The National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) announced the appointment of Paul J. Preidecker as Senior Vice President of Communications, effective January 12, 2026. In this role, Preidecker will lead NFTA’s communications strategy, including media relations, member and stakeholder communications, and content initiatives that support the Alliance’s mission to strengthen and modernize flight training.

Lee Collins, CEO, said, “As NFTA continues to drive collaboration and modernization across flight training, Paul will help ensure our priorities are communicated clearly, consistently, and effectively to our members, partners, and key stakeholders.” He added “Paul brings a unique combination of operational credibility, training leadership, and deep familiarity with the industry environment, along with a well-earned reputation for impeccable integrity.”

Preidecker has been involved in aviation training and education for more than 35 years, with experience across general aviation, business aviation, and airline training. Prior to retiring from a regional airline in 2019, he held positions including chief flight instructor, examiner, and captain. His broader aviation involvement includes serving on an FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee, facilitating the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee’s Standardized Curriculum Working Group for Part 135, and contributing as an invited speaker at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

He has also chaired the Flight Training Committee for the Regional Airline Association and served as co-chair for the Flight Operations Steering Committee at Bombardier. A frequent presenter at the World Aviation Training Summit (WATS) and the European Aviation Training Summit (EATS), Preidecker moderates the ab initio track for those conferences and contributes articles to a variety of aviation publications.

Preidecker previously served as President of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and contributes to the FAA’s Part 141 Modernization of Flight Training and DPE Mentoring workgroups.

Source: NFTA

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Coptersafety Acquired by MML Keystone to Support Future Expansion

Finland – Private Equity firm MML Keystone becomes the majority owner of Coptersafety, one of the largest independent helicopter pilot simulator training center. With the support of MML Keystone, Coptersafety aims to expand its capacity to continue to provide high-quality training to pilots globally.

Training will continue as normal, without interruption, at Coptersafety’s training center in Helsinki Finland.

Coptersafety provides safety-critical training to helicopter operators from around the world, with their five Level D full flight simulators from their state-of-the-art training center five minutes from Helsinki International Airport. Coptersafety holds approvals from major aviation authorities, including EASA, the FAA, the UK CAA and Transport Canada among multiple other local Civil Aviation Authority approvals.

Coptersafety is planning an expansion of its Helsinki facility, with additional training capacity with new Level D full flight simulators, expected to be available in 2027 and 2028, subject to regulatory approvals and schedules.

“We are delighted to welcome MML Keystone as our new partner. Their experience backing asset-backed, essential services businesses and supporting international growth makes them an excellent fit for Coptersafety.” said Hannu Marjoniemi, CEO and Co-Founder of Coptersafety “This partnership will allow us to expand capacity, invest in additional simulators along with new locations and continue delivering the highest quality training to our customers worldwide.”

Sharand Maharaj, Co-Managing Partner of MML Keystone, commented: “Coptersafety runs a scarce piece of safety infrastructure in European aviation: full-flight simulator training capacity on the helicopter types operators depend on for the most demanding missions. In a market where approvals are hard-won and capacity cannot be conjured overnight, Coptersafety has built a business with disciplined capacity economics and highly recurring demand. What stood out in diligence was outstanding and consistent operator respect for the training quality and the calibre of the team. We are excited to back management as they expand capacity in Helsinki and scale the business internationally.”

MML Keystone is investing alongside the existing management team, which will continue to lead the business and retain a meaningful shareholding. Sentica Partners, which has supported Coptersafety since 2015, will exit the investment following a period of significant growth.

Source: Coptersafety

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