United Arab Emirates – Management software for full flight simulator training center operations, Simorg, announces the second edition of its Customer Focus Series. This latest edition provides insights from Simorg’s valued customer, Etihad Aviation Training (EAT).

Mert Yagci’s interview with Director of Training, Captain Stefan Dudda, explores how EAT has scaled its operations through a strategic partnership with Simorg and unveils the day-to-day goals of the ATO’s paperless training environment.

Read the full interview below:

Introduction to Etihad Aviation Training (EAT)

At Etihad Aviation Training (EAT), we take pride in being a leading provider of premium training solutions for pilots, cabin crew, and airport staff. Our mission is to empower organizations by enhancing the skills and expertise of their teams, driving safety, growth, and success in their aviation careers.

As a globally recognized training provider, EAT is approved by several leading Civil Aviation Authorities, including the UAE’s GCAA, EASA, QCAA, DGCA, and others such as GACA, and Hong Kong CAD. We are proud to have earned the “Training Provider of the Year” award thrice from Aviation Business Middle East, a testament to our excellence. EAT also holds ISO certifications for quality management, environmental responsibility, and occupational health and safety, reflecting our commitment to the highest industry standards.

Introduction to Captain Stefan Dudda (Director of Training)

As a distinguished aviation professional and experienced airline pilot, I have dedicated over 30 years to the aviation industry. In my role as Director of Training at Etihad Aviation Training (EAT), I ensure that our training initiatives meet global standards and deliver exceptional results. My career has allowed me to lead major projects, such as the A380 and B787 Fleet Entry Into Service, and to pioneer advanced training methodologies like Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) and Evidence-Based Training (EBT).

Mert: Can you tell us about EAT’s rapid growth story?

Stefan: EAT began in 2014 as a dedicated training center for Etihad Airways’ pilots, cabin crew, and aircraft engineers. Initially focused on fulfilling the airline’s internal needs, we developed a strong legacy in pilot and cabin crew training. Over time, we transformed from an internal training division into a profitable standalone company, now serving airlines and customers across multiple continents. In 2023, we seized the opportunity to expand further, introducing a comprehensive suite of airport training courses.

Mert: Aviation training in the Middle East is developing very quickly, with new centers and an increasing number of simulators. How eager is EAT to take a share of this growth?

Stefan: With state-of-the-art facilities, including 10 full-flight simulators and 9 flight training devices for both Airbus and Boeing aircraft, EAT is well-equipped to meet the increasing demand for high-quality aviation training. As part of our growth strategy, we have also taken steps to bring our training closer to our customers by placing our devices in Europe, hosting international training sessions, and offering online courses.

Mert: Why was Simorg chosen? What kind of strategy is it a part of?

Stefan: Scaling operations requires the right structural framework to sustain growth. To support our ambitious plans, we chose Simorg, a highly specialized software designed to meet the unique operational needs of an Approved Training Organization (ATO). As an ATO for various regulators, we needed a system capable of handling both compliance and commercial demands. While many management systems exist, Simorg uniquely reflects the day-to-day realities of an ATO’s training environment.

Implementing Simorg has allowed us to seamlessly integrate all training operations, ensuring efficient resource utilization and enhanced compliance with evolving aviation standards. This aligns directly with our strategy to leverage advanced digital solutions, enabling us to meet the growing demand for high-quality training services.

As one of Simorg’s early customers, we had the opportunity to tailor the system to our complex needs. The platform’s flexibility has enabled us to address the diverse operational requirements of our training programs while also refining the software to better fit our environment. Our input has played a key role in enhancing the system, ensuring it meets the ever-evolving needs of the aviation industry.

Mert: Since the initial setup, where do you stand in your goal of becoming paperless? In this journey, what value do you think Simorg has added to you?

Stefan: A key milestone in our journey has been our ISO 14001 certification in Environmental Management, reinforcing our commitment to environmentally friendly practices. By implementing Simorg, we centralized all aspects of our training operations on a fully integrated platform, contributing to our goal of a paperless aviation world. This aligns perfectly with our vision of future-ready, environmentally sustainable training solutions.

Mert: You are working with the Simorg team on resource planning and forecasting in the ATO. What are your expectations and vision in this area?

Stefan: The Simorg team brings an exceptional level of aviation training industry knowledge, surpassing what is typically expected from a software provider. Their deep understanding of aviation training academy operations has helped us minimize errors, improve transparency, optimize resource management, and refine our approach to planning and forecasting. Our primary goal is to create a data-driven, automated system that enhances instructor allocation, simulator device management, simulator and device availability, and trainee scheduling. The vision is to develop a fully predictive system that minimizes inefficiencies, maximizes resource utilization, and ensures training timelines are met without disruption.

We have made remarkable progress in this journey, and I am confident that these enhancements are setting new benchmarks for efficiency in aviation training operations. Moreover, as we prepare for the future of aviation, particularly with advancements in Advanced Air Mobility, having a robust and adaptable system like Simorg gives us the confidence to embrace this next phase of innovation.

Results and Benefits

1. Operational Efficiency With Simorg, Etihad Aviation Training has unified all training processes into a single, fully integrated platform. This has significantly improved resource utilization and operational consistency, allowing teams to manage training delivery with greater precision and agility.

2. Environmental Sustainability Simorg plays a vital role in Etihad’s environmental strategy, helping them achieve ISO 14001 certification. By digitizing processes and centralizing data, Simorg contributes to a paperless training environment, underscoring Etihad’s commitment to sustainable aviation practices.

3. Flexibility and Co-Creation As an early adopter, Etihad worked closely with the Simorg team to adapt the platform to complex operational structures. This collaboration has shaped Simorg into a more robust and industry-responsive product, continuously evolving to meet real-world challenges.

4. Advanced Planning Simorg’s deep aviation training expertise has enabled Etihad to enhance planning capabilities across instructor allocation, simulator device usage, and trainee scheduling. With a goal of building a predictive, data-driven system, Simorg helps reduce inefficiencies, maximize availability, and ensure training deadlines are met consistently.

Looking Ahead, final remark by Captain Stefan:

At EAT, we are committed to delivering the highest standard of training solutions, continuously innovating to meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry. Our partnership with Simorg has been instrumental in driving this transformation. By leveraging their expertise and innovative solutions, we are enhancing the efficiency and precision of our operations, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry and continue to meet the dynamic demands of aviation training.

Looking Ahead, Statement from Mert Yağcı:

Simorg is proud to stand beside industry leaders like Etihad Aviation Training, not just as a provider, but as a partner shaping smarter digital training operations.

Source: Simorg
Photo Credit: Simorg