Archives: Market Intelligences

UK Flight School Leading Edge Aviation Hosts Wizz Air UK’s Recruiters at Oxford Campus in January 2026

United Kingdom – Leading Edge Aviation, a UK‑headquartered flight training group with operations in Oxford and Spain, hosted representatives from Wizz Air UK’s pilot recruitment team at its Oxford campus this week, reinforcing its role in developing airline‑ready pilots and highlighting successful career pathways for graduates.

  • More than 50 Leading Edge Aviation alumni have secured pilot roles with Wizz Air UK, demonstrating a sustained pipeline from academy training into commercial airline operations.

  • The visit from Wizz Air UK’s recruitment team provided current students with direct insight into airline expectations and potential opportunities for future hiring cycles.

Source: Leading Edge Aviation
Photo Credit: Leading Edge Aviation

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US Aviation and Flight Training Group Epic Flight Academy Expands Fleet with 6 New Cessna Aircraft in January 2026

USA – Epic Flight Academy, one of the largest FAA Part 141 flight training groups in the United States, has expanded its fleet with six additional brand-new Cessna aircraft, a development aimed at increasing training capacity and supporting higher student throughput at its New Smyrna Beach campus.

Epic Flight Academy continues a period of rapid expansion, having opened five new pilot training campuses in 2025 across Addison (TX), Englewood (CO), St. George (UT), Tuscaloosa (AL), Provo (UT) and plans to open in Connecticut in 2026. The organization also operates pilot schools in New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Tucson, as well as aircraft mechanic schools in New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Erlanger, KY.

Source: Epic Flight Academy
Photo Credit: Epic Flight Academy

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PilExOS Rolls Out Industry‑First Checkride Manager and EQM Tools for Flight Schools

USA – PilExOS has expanded its capabilities beyond providing industry leading operations software to Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) that centralizes and automates their scheduling, data, workflows, and record keeping processes, to now fully support Flight Training Operators with the same capabilities and more.

Flight Schools can now utilize PilExOS Checkride Manager as a centralized Checkride scheduling optimization platform to seamlessly find and book DPEs, while allowing them to track all data tied to internal Stage Checks and Checkrides for Part 141 record keeping audits. Whether a school is Part 61 or 141 and has Examining Authority, all can gain access to an industry-first Examiner Quality Management (EQM) system that brings the same virtual tools used by DPEs within PilExOS to schools so Chief and Check Instructors can gain AI powered post-exam assessments. The assessments help utilize exam data to track training trends for continuous feedback to optimize training and gain better student outcomes, as well as instructor proficiency.

PilExOS is truly revolutionizing how Pilot Examiners and Flight Training Operators can more seamlessly work together through a robust centralized platform, as well as help bring the experience and knowledge of Examiners into the flight school so Chief and Check Instructors continuously improve to enhance safety and proficiency.

Stay tuned for more PilExOS innovations and integrations in 2026. Contact Sales@pilexos.com if interested in learning more.

Source: PilExOS
Photo Credit: PilExOS

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Malaysia’s MAB Academy Launches New FFS Training Center in January 2026

Malaysia – MAB Academy, the training and development arm of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), officially launched its new Simulator Building at South Support Zone, Sepang, marking a major milestone in its long-term strategy to advance industry-leading aviation, hospitality and professional development.

The launch ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Transport Malaysia, YB Loke Siew Fook; together with Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of MAG; and Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group CEO-designate, MAG.

The Simulator Building features six full-flight simulator bays, including the A330neo, Boeing 737-800NG and ATR 72-500, along with dedicated training spaces that foster a focused and effective learning environment. Its layout encourages close instructor–trainee interaction, supports consistent training delivery, and promotes a structured approach to developing operational discipline.

The new Simulator Building marks the completion of MAB Academy’s transformation from the 40-year-old Subang Training Centre, taking a significant step toward its vision of becoming a one-stop aviation learning centre.

YB Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia, said, “MAG is investing in advanced training and simulation through MAB Academy to ensure our aviation professionals are fully prepared. This strengthens safety standards, builds operational capability, and positions Malaysia as a reliable and capable aviation hub in the region.”

Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of MAG, said, “The launch of MAB Academy’s new Simulator Building marks an important milestone in our long-term transformation journey and supports our Long-Term Business Plan 3.0 (LTBP 3.0), which focuses on disciplined, sustainable growth and operational leadership. Our focus has always been on preparing aviation professionals for the realities of operations, and this facility strengthens that commitment by ensuring training is relevant, rigorous, and grounded in real-world experience.

A key highlight of the facility is its integrated safety and emergency training facilities, which includes a Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer, and a water survival training pool with wave simulation — the first of its kind in Malaysia.

In another national first, MAB Academy has become the first aviation training centre in Malaysia to receive the Green Building Index (GBI) Certification, underscoring its commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible design.

Looking ahead, MAB Academy will further strengthen its simulator capabilities with the introduction of the Boeing 737-8 Full Flight Simulator, expected to be operational by July 2026. This next-generation simulator will further strengthen technical training capacity and support the evolving fleet and operational requirements of airlines across the region.

As an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), MAB Academy currently offers close to 200 specialised training programmes serving airlines, corporations, aviation professionals, and international students. With the launch of the new Simulator Building, MAB Academy further cements its role as a regional training powerhouse, supporting industry growth while contributing to Malaysia’s aspiration to become a global aviation hub.

Source: Malaysia Aviation Group
Photo Credit: Malaysia Aviation Group

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Indian Flight Training Group Chimes Aviation Academy Begins 2026 with Induction of 4 New Piper Archer Aircraft at Neemuch Base

India – Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA), which operates two flight training bases in India, has marked the first week of 2026 with a major milestone the induction of four new Piper Archer aircraft at its Neemuch base. The latest addition underscores the Academy’s continued focus on fleet expansion and infrastructure growth, aimed at enhancing flying training efficiency and meeting the rising demand for professional pilot training in India. A few weeks ago AFM reported on Chimes Aviation Academy’s growth in 2025 – Indian Flight Training Group Chimes Aviation Academy Reports Record Flying Hours and Fleet Growth in 2025 – AFM.aero

Commenting on this development, Dev Punj, VP- Chimes Aviation Academy said, “The arrival of these four Piper Archers at our Neemuch base is a strong start to the year and reflects our continued focus on fleet expansion and commitment to operational excellence, and providing world-class training infrastructure to our cadets.”

Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) is one of India’s leading Flying Training Organisations, recognised for its strong emphasis on safety and structured flying training programmes delivered in partnership with IndiGo Airlines. CAA operates from two airbases — Dhana and Neemuch — in Madhya Pradesh, India, and brings over 17 years of flying excellence to pilot training.

Source: Chimes Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: Chimes Aviation Academy

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Digital Solution Provider to Flight Schools Intuos Announces New Software Release in 2026

Italy – Intuos, a software platform that unifies training, operations, and fleet management for pilot training organisations, starts 2026 announcing the latest application release, bringing powerful new capabilities designed to simplify operations and enhance training efficiency for aviation and gliding operators.

What’s new in the software The Manager©:

  • Stripe Payments Integration
    • Secure, fast, and seamless online payments are now fully supported through Stripe—making accounting and payment collection easier than ever.
  • Full Flight Logbook Integration
    • The flight logbook is now fully integrated with:
      • Inflight Unit – Intuos’ proprietary plug-and-play smart system that collects and transmits real-time flight data
      • CBTA – Intuos’ Competency-Based Training & Assessment module with progress tracking
    • This ensures accurate, real-time data flow from aircraft operations directly into training records and compliance tracking.
  • Gliding Towing & Slot Scheduling
    • If you operate a gliding fleet, Intuos now supports:
      • Tow aircraft management
      • Tow assignments
      • Slot scheduling for efficient daily operations
    • All in one connected platform.

This release continues Intuos’s mission to provide a fully integrated, operationally efficient, and training-ready aviation management system.

Source: Intuos
Photo Credit: Intuos

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USA’s AeroSummit and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) Announce Joint Venture: Ascend Flight Training Summit

USA – AeroSummit and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) announced the creation of the Ascend Flight Training Summit, a new education-forward national conference that will replace the annual NAFI Summit beginning in 2026. Developed as a true joint venture, Ascend combines AeroSummit’s community-building and industry reach with NAFI’s long-standing leadership in flight-instructor education to deliver a unified event that supports every stage of the pilot training journey. The inaugural Ascend Flight Training Summit will take place September 8-10, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center Love Field, with a Welcome Reception on September 8th at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.

Ascend is designed to strengthen the full pilot pipeline, featuring educational tracks for student pilots, CFIs, and flight school owners and leadership; hands-on workshops; expanded academic content; and professional-development sessions that support growth from early training through advanced instruction and into aviation careers. With the transition from the NAFI Summit to Ascend, NAFI will bring its respected CFI-centered programming, instructional expertise, and professional development strengths directly into the new event.

Ascend will also introduce a strong career-readiness component, including interview preparation, resume and communication coaching, networking with training organizations and airlines, and potential on-site interviews that give attendees a direct path into professional opportunities.

“Ascend represents the next step forward for our industry, and it is truly being built together,” said Anthony Geraci, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of AeroSummit. “AeroSummit and NAFI share the same belief that the flight-training community deserves a dedicated space focused on education, progression, and long-term career success. We are excited to move into this joint venture as one united team.”

“This collaboration allows us to channel our combined strengths into an event that puts education at the center,” said Brandon Martini, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of AeroSummit. “Ascend brings students, CFIs, and flight school leaders together in a setting designed to help them learn, grow, and move confidently toward the next step of their aviation careers.”

NAFI leadership emphasized the importance of building strategic, collaborative partnerships that unite varied stakeholders and strengthen the broader aviation training ecosystem.

“The NAFI Summit has served our community well but Ascend allows us to expand the educational experience and reach far more students and instructors,” said Karen Kalishek, Board Chair of NAFI. “NAFI is proud to be a foundational partner in Ascend and to bring our CFIfocused programming, instructional depth, and professional development mission to this new national summit.”

“This joint venture reflects the very best of what our industry can accomplish when we work together,” said Paul Preidecker, President of NAFI. “Ascend will offer deeper educational opportunities, stronger instructor development, and clearer pathways for pilots as they prepare for their professional futures.”

Ascend will include immersive classroom sessions, CFI development workshops, an exhibit hall featuring training tools and technology, structured networking, and career advancement opportunities that connect attendees with instructors, training organizations, and employers throughout aviation.

Additional details, including registration, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, will be released soon.

For more information, please visit the event website.

Source: NAFI
Photo Credit: NAFI

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