Training

Gurugram , 19th December, 2024: Air India has placed an order for 34 trainer aircraft as it prepares to start training of cadet pilots at its upcoming Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra by the second half of 2025, post regulatory approvals.The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft in the United States and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in Austria.The FTO is a leap forward in Air India’s commitment to bolster its training infrastructure as part of its Vihaan.AI transformation program and cultivate a pipeline of pilotsas it expands its fleet, becoming self-reliant.The trainer aircraft, due for delivery starting 2025, are equipped with glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems and Jet A1 engines that will ensure advanced training for aspiring pilots. The FTO is coming up at Amravati’s Belora airport and will target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year. “The new FTO is a strategic move to exponentially expand our training infrastructure and our commitment to building a self-reliant ecosystem of qualified pilots for both Air India and the Indian aviation industry. With this order of 34 trainer aircraft to support South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation, we are delighted to be playing a part in building the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and to support the government’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India. As part of its commitment to invest in aviation training, Air India opened its new Aviation Training Academy, spread over 600,000 sq ft, the largest in South Asia, in Gurugram. It is also the first airline in India to announce the setting up of an FTO that will complement Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years. At the FTO in Amravati, Air India is developing a state-of-the-art training institute over 10 acres, with digitally enabled classrooms at par with global academies, hostels, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The FTO is curated to deliver best-in-class training with high safety standards.

Mumbai, 5th December 2024: Avion, an innovative provider of pilot training devices headquartered in The Netherlands, and Gen24 FLYBIZare has announced the installation of an Airbus A320 Level D Full Flight Simulator. This cutting-edge training device is now ready for testing and tuning, followed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) qualification process at their brand-new training centre in Mumbai, India. The installation marks a significant milestone for Avion, representing the first of six Full Flight Simulators planned for the Avion Flight Training Centre in Mumbai. Manoj Pandey, Group CEO of Avion and Gen24 FLYBIZ, shared his excitement:”The installation of this state-of-the-art Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator in Mumbai is a proud moment for us. It underscores our commitment to supporting aviation professionals with cutting-edge training solutions and expanding our footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. At AFTC Mumbai, we are creating a world-class hub for pilot training in India that aligns with the evolving needs of the industry.”The second Full Flight Simulator has also arrived at the facility, and installation shall be undertaken shortly.The centre will also be equipped with a Fixed Base FNPT II-MCC for A320 in April 2025. Designed with sustainability at its core, the device consumes minimal energy while maintaining exceptional performance. This aligns with Avion’s vision of offering environmentally friendly and cost-efficient training solutions.The Mumbai training centre is expected to become a cornerstone for aviation training in the region. Withthe installation of two Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulators, Avion and Gen24 FLYBIZ reaffirm their commitment to shaping the future of pilot training in India. Both companies look forward to welcoming airlines and aviation professionals to this high-endtraining facility in 2025.

New Delhi, November 26, 2024: Pilot and aviation training in India has received a significant boost as France-headquartered Simaero, a leading provider in pilot training and simulation engineering solutions, announced the signing of its first A320 NEO full-flight simulator for its state-of-the-art training facility set to open in Delhi NCR in early 2025. To deliver its first simulator in India, Simaero has partnered with HAVELSAN, a prominent Turkish manufacturer. The new HAVELSAN manufactured A320 NEO device will add to the group’s growing global fleet of 30+ active full-flight simulators and will be ready-for-training by Q2 2025.The signing ceremony was held at the national capital in the presence of dignitaries from France, Turkey and India which included top officials of Simaero and HAVELSAN. The French aviation training firm’s signing of the first simulator training facility comes at a time when India is poised for a boom in the aviation sector and experts have forecasted an unprecedented requirement of trained pilots. This first full-flight simulator, to represent Airbus’ variant A320 NEO, the narrow-body, commercial passenger twin engine jet airliner, which is immensely popular in the Indian aviation space for short to medium range of travel. One A320 NEO full-fight simulator can cover close to 6,000 hours of flight crew training. According to a senior official from the France-headquartered firm Simaero, which has committed $100 million to developing aviation training infrastructure in India, the installation of the full-flight simulator is the first of eight planned simulators at the company’s new training centre in the national capital. This will soon be followed by the addition of other simulators representing widely used narrow-body aircraft, including the ATR 72-600 and B737. “India’s aviation sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increased regional connectivity and record orders for single-aisle aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 aircraft family. Partnering with HAVELSAN to introduce the first A320 NEO full-flight simulator at our Delhi facility marks the initial step in our commitment to addressing the rapidly growing demand for pilot training in the country. Our new facility in Delhi will provide high-quality, cost-effective training solutions, reducing the need for airlines to send pilots abroad for training—an expensive proposition,” said Khushbeg Jattana, General Manager of Simaero India. “As HAVELSAN, we are incredibly excited about the deployment of our Airbus A320 neo full flight simulator to Simaero. This milestone is not only a proud moment for us but also a reflection of the trust we’ve earned from global training centres like Simaero. Over the years, we’ve worked tirelessly to develop cutting-edge simulators that meet the highest standards of quality and safety, and this delivery proves that our commitment is being recognized internationally. We are thrilled to support Simaero’s world-class pilot training programs and look forward to continuing to strengthen our global partnerships in aviation.” stated Mehmet Akif Nacar, Ph.D CEO of HAVELSAN.

Bangalore, 22nd October 2024: BAA Training has opened its third consultancy center in India,further expanding its footprint in India.The new consultancy center has opened its doors in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to aid aspiring pilots in their career possibilities. This expansion southward serves as another location for Indians who, without leaving their home country or home state, can learn all the information firsthand from the experienced BAA Training India experts at the consultancy center. Last year, in September, BAA Training opened its first consultancy center in New Delhi and started operations in its second one in Mumbai mid-July this year. “As India claimed the title of the 3rd largest domestic airline market in the world this year, the need for pilot training to sustain the growth is more present than before,” said Marijus Ravoitis, CEO of BAA Training. “However, quality solutions are scarce here, which could be an issue for further industry growth. We have been observing the landscape in India and made the key decision to expand our pilot training consultancy center network accordingly. India is a very promising market. We look forward to becoming a prominent household name in India when it comes to offering European-level pilot training.” One key commercial pilot training program – the Indian Cadet Program – has been specifically tailored for the region. It prepares pilots according to highly regarded European pilot training criteria while keeping in mind the standard procedures of airlines operating in India. This provides Indian pilots with a dual (EASA + DGCA) commercial pilot license, offering a wider range of opportunities for employment. Currently, there are two batches of Indian students in the Indian Cadet Program. Starting this year, in June and August, the cadets are undergoing training at the BAA Training’s European facilities. Aspiring pilots can learn more about the specially tailored training at the BAA Training consultancy centers.

Singapore, 11th September 2024: At the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium ( APATS) 2024 Singapore, Hungarian fixed-base simulator manufacturer Simnest Aviation and Dutch Full Flight Simulator manufacturer and flight training center operator Avion, have entered into an agreement. Under this agreement, Avion – Gen24 will be the exclusive sales and service partner for Simnest Aviation in the APAC region. Following twenty successfully installed and certified type-representative simulators in Europe, Simnest Aviation decided in 2023 to expand to APAC countries.This year,Simnest Aviation took another significant step towards achieving its Asian goals and appointed Avion, which will soon open its new training center in Mumbai. “We have a long-standing business and friendly relationship with Avion. Their leaders and staff are renowned professionals and excellent people we have known over the years. Although we produce simulators at different levels, our mindset perfectly matches in terms of FSTDs. We all believe in training the pilots of the future on simulators of the highest possible capability and quality, far beyond the official standards. This extraordinary business relationship has called us to place our trust in Avion and to entrust them with our representation in APAC countries with a calm heart and high hopes.” – expressed his sentiments Balázs Herendi, CEO of Simnest Aviation. The collaboration does not end with sales representation. After completing the necessary training, Avion’s staff will install Simnest’s simulators and provide support for simulators installed in the region. Additionally, Avion has also ordered a Simnest A320 FNPT II APS MCC simulator for its new flight training center in Mumbai. This marks another milestone for Simnest Aviation in the Asian market, as this will be their first simulator in the APAC region. Avion’s new high-fidelity fixed-base FSTD will be used both as a demonstration device to support sales activities and to conduct training courses that don’t need the highest qualified Level D Avion Full Flight Simulators. Manoj Pandey, Group CEO of Avion and Gen24, sees a lot of potential for Simnest in the Asia Pacific region: “Partnering with Simnest aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality training solutions across the Asia Pacific region. By combining Simnest’s innovative fixed-base simulators with Avion’s Full Flight Simulators, we can deliver a versatile and complete package that caters to the diverse needs of airlines and training organizations. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration presents and look forward to strengthening our presence in this booming market.” The two sides announced their cooperation with a formal celebration at Simnest’s booth at the 20th Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium in Singapore. The Simnest A320 FNPT II APS MCC simulator will be delivered and installed by Simnest at the Avion Flight Training Center in Mumbai in February 2025.

Farnborough,July 23, 2024: CAE has announced the Elle Betchley as the fifteenth CAE Women in Flight Ambassador. She joins a growing movement and network of female pilot professionals in raising awareness of the possibilities for women in the aviation sector. CAE launched the CAE Women in Flight program in 2018 to encourage women to pursue a career in aviation. It has quickly evolved to become the CAE Women in Flight Ambassador Program which aims to encourage girls and women to dream big and have no limits, raising awareness of the opportunities for women to follow professional pilot careers. Elle is currently participating in the CAE Generation easyJet Pilot Training Program designed by CAE exclusively for easyJet. The competency-based program includes aircraft-type-specific training on CAE’s Airbus A320 Flight Training Devices (FTD) and Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and is subsequently complemented by base and line training with easyJet. Upon successfully completing the program, Elle will join the airline as a co-pilot on the Airbus A320. CAE will train up to 200 easyJet pilots annually through 2028. As a CAE Women in Flight Ambassador, Elle receives a full scholarship worth more than €100,000 to complete her training. Elle has just completed her ground training at CAE’s London Gatwick training centre and is about to start her foundation flight training in tandem with her CAE Women in Flight Ambassador role. As an ambassador, her responsibilities include encouraging women to pursue an aviation career. The program aims to achieve much more than supporting future female pilots. It is also focused on developing a network of like-minded ambassadors and professionals who illustrate that diversity in aviation should be the norm, not the exception. “We have established a reputation for delivering the highest standards of pilot training, and we recognize that it is our responsibility as an industry leader to support the advancement of women in aviation and broaden the civil aviation talent pool,” explains Marie-Christine Cloutier, CAE’s Vice-President, Performance, Strategy, and Marketing. “Women make up only between four and six percent of professional pilots worldwide*, and as CAE’s 2023 aviation talent forecast shows that some 300,000 new pilots are needed by 2032, we want to help attract more women to join the profession. Through shining role models like Elle, we believe we can truly influence the next generation.” Initially trained as an agronomist, Elle has pursued a career in agriculture for the last seven years. She has always admired pilots but never considered herself a candidate. Her inspiration came from her husband, who also took the CAE Generation easyJet Pilot Training Program, but Elle wants to do so much more than fly. “I wanted to become a CAE Women in Flight Ambassador from the day I applied for the pilot training at CAE. This is not just about inspiring women; it’s about changing how people think. Being a CAE Women in Flight Ambassador will allow me to show young women what is achievable and shape the future of the aviation industry’s workforce,” says Elle. Selection of the Women in Flight Ambassador is a rigorous process that requires multi-layered applications, written tests, video interviews, with input from Women in Aviation International, and the airline. Elle hopes to lead the way for more female recruits.

New Delhi, 30th May 2024: International flight simulator provider, Simaero, will invest $100 million in India to train up to 5,000 pilots over the next five years. The firm will bring in the investment in a phased manner to create training infrastructure and install flight simulators to meet the growing demand for pilot training in India and the South Asian region. The move comes at a time when the Indian aviation sector is expanding exponentially as demand for air travel is increasing with rapid economic development across the Indian subcontinent. Simaero’s decision to enter the Indian aviation market is driven by the record-setting aircraft orders, which have exceeded the current active fleet. Indian carriers have over 1,200 Airbus aircraft and 470 Boeing aircraft on order. Nicolas Mouté, CEO of Simaero, said, “Our substantial investment in India reflects our confidence in the country’s strong economic foundation and the promising growth of its aviation industry. We are excited to be part of this dynamic market and contribute to its development. Khushbeg Jattana leads the team in India. His qualification, valuable aviation training experience, and knowledge of the Indian market will allow Simaero to offer tailored solutions for airlines.” Khushbeg Jattana, General Manager of Simaero India, added, “We are committed to bringing top-notch training solutions to India, supporting the growth and operational efficiency of local and regional airlines. Our new training centre in Delhi NCR will set a new standard in aviation training in the region. We are poised to meet the growing needs of the aviation industry in Asia and are committed to enhancing the simulator fleet to meet the needs of the sector.” Simaero’s $100 million investment will be strategically allocated to the infrastructure for the training centre and the development of a trained local workforce. The development of the training facility in Delhi is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024. This centre, which is spread over 4,500 square metres, will feature eight full-flight simulators starting with A320 NEO and B737NG aircraft types. The facility will offer comprehensive training solutions, with devices certified by both DGCA and EASA authorities, and an in-house ATO covering all main pilot recurrent training programs, including initial type rating and recurrent training, with various aircraft-type simulators for airlines.

Orlando, USA,2nd May 2024: The Texas-based training organisation Sim-U-Tech is acquiring an Airbus A320 Level D Full Flight Simulator from Avion. The signing ceremony took place this week at the World Aviation Training Summit (WATS) in Orlando. The purchase marks the first Avion flight simulator for the US market. Avion’s Group CEO Manoj Pandey is proud to have landed the agreement: “This significant milestone marks a pivotal moment in Avion’s journey towards global expansion, and we are thrilled to announce our entry into the US market with this milestone contract. This underscores the dedication and expertise of our team, as well as the exceptional quality of our simulators. We are excited to embark on this journey and look forward to forging long-lasting partnerships in the US.” The A320 Full Flight Simulator will be installed with CEO and NEO engine settings and the latest Airbus Standard 2.1. It is ready for the future, says Kenneth Haney, President and CEO of Sim-U-Tech: “I had the pleasure of flying the Avion A320 Full Flight Simulator at London Luton Airport. I was impressed by the technology and performance of the training device. The integration of technology, being able to get a lower carbon footprint, plus low operating costs made me choose Avion.” Both companies are optimistic about the future, with options for multiple Avion training devices nationwide. Following today’s deal, Sim-U-Tech and Avion are also discussing modalities for sales and service representation for the US market.

Montreal, Canada, 18th March, 2024: CAE today announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with Akasa Air to provide Boeing 737MAX pilot training at CAE’s facilities in India. Akasa Air will leverage CAE’s best-in-class training facilities, instructors, and latest generation full-flight simulators for the next 15 years, fulfilling the airline’s commitment to develop the world’s best-trained pilots who meet the highest training standards. The partnership is also a game changer for the Indian aviation industry which will require a strong force of highly skilled aviators to drive its growth. CAE has trained Akasa Air pilots since the start of the airline’s operations in 2022, providing world-class infrastructure and a rigorous and immersive simulation training curriculum that enables them to meet superior levels of proficiency. Commenting on the announcement, Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air said, “We are pleased to further cement our partnership with CAE, one of the world’s leading pilot training technology providers. Akasa Air is built on a strong foundation of reliability and practices the highest standards of safety and precision in global aviation. Our approach to learning and development is rooted in developing a future-ready workforce to gain a competitive advantage in the dynamic aviation landscape. As we receive a substantial influx of aircraft in the coming decade, this partnership will provide us access to the world’s best training facilities for the next 15 years and will help us build a team of highly experienced and skilled pilots, as we continue our commitment of becoming one of the world’s safest airlines.” “This long-term agreement is a testament to the quality of the pilot training we deliver and the strong relationship we have built with Akasa in a relatively short time,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation. “In the fast-growing Indian aviation sector, CAE has the infrastructure and resources to support the expansion of airline partners, like Akasa Air, in the region.” CAE has a long and significant presence in India, operating 13 state-of-the-art simulators in three commercial aviation training centres and delivering essential pilot training and training services to airlines in India. Last year, CAE became a Boeing Authorized Training Provider for Boeing’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) curriculum in India. CAE shares Akasa Air’s commitment to sustainable operations. In 2020, CAE became the first carbon-neutral Canadian aerospace company, reducing its emissions and investing in projects that offset residual annual carbon emissions for its global operations, including in India.