Training

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.

Gandhinagar, 2nd January 2024: ModAir Aviation, the leasing and finance company based at IFSC GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat has inducted fifth aircraft under its wings. The latest one is a two-seater aircraft, Tecnam P-Mentor used for flight training. The import of this aircraft is facilitated under the guidelines of IFSC – GIFT City. This aircraft would be leased to an upcoming FTO preparing to commence operations in Karnataka. ModAir has plans to induct one more aircraft by the end of FY 2023-24 for one of the NSOPs. Atul Jain, Director, ModAir Aviation said, “We are excited to welcome the fifth aircraft under our Company. We take pride in supporting our Hon’ble PM’s vision. Very soon we would be inducting our sixth aircraft. The company’scurrent concentration is on Fight Training and Non-Scheduled aircraft category operations for the Indian market by Importing, Finance and Leasing of the aircraft.” Ashish Jaiswal, Chief Executive Officer, ModAir Aviation added, “With this fifth aircraft induction, the landscape of aircraft induction through India-based Aircraft Leasing infrastructure is taking shape.We extend our sincere thanks to the Government of India, IFSC Authority&the GIFT City for providing the required platform to enable seamless and easy aircraft induction in the Country.”

Mumbai, 20th October, 2023: Cyient has signed an MoU with the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) to collaborate on skill enhancement training for the student community. One of the primary objectives of this industry-academia partnership is to leverage Cyient’s industry expertise to create a pool of skilled workforce in CAD, CAE PLM and electrical system development domains that are equipped to meet industry needs. This collaboration will play a key role in shaping the future of the Maritime Industry in India. Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, recently announced a Comprehensive Plan to Surpass 10,000 MTPA Port Capacity by 2047. The Union Government has also identified an investment opportunity of more than Rs 10 lakh crores in the maritime sector of the country and has the potential of creating more than 15 lakh employment opportunities. CEMS and Cyient cooperation will facilitate effective utilization of the intellectual capabilities of the faculty of CEMS and members of Cyient, providing significant inputs to each other in developing suitable teaching/training systems, upgradation of labs and technologies, keeping in mind the needs of the industry. This MoU will serve as an invaluable bridge between academia and industry, connecting talented individuals with job prospects and research opportunities, ultimately driving innovation and progress in the ever-evolving landscape of modern industry. Prabhakar Shetty, Chief Digital Officer, Cyient said, “Building a robust technology infrastructure is vital in today’s maritime industry, where new age digital ideas are transforming vessel design, construction, and maintenance. Shipbuilders are adopting cutting-edge technologies like 3D Modeling, Intelligent Products, AI-driven Maintenance, and Sustainable Energy Solutions to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Adoption of new age Applications and best practices from other industries will help this industry leapfrog to the next phase of growth.” “Collaborating with CEMS, we can create fertile ground for learning, innovation, hands-on project exposure and employment opportunities. Cyient is committed to equipping participants with diverse skills and industry knowledge to contribute effectively to their chosen field’s evolving landscape”, Shetty further added. Sethu Madhavan, CEO and Managing Director of the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) said, “Joint Skill enhancement training initiatives between CEMS and Cyient is a powerful means of fostering industry insight, technological assessment, and innovative platforms while simultaneously opening doors to employment opportunities. CEMS will collaboratively work with Cyient on the creation of industry-relevant course materials, ensuring that the training aligns with the latest market demands and creating a dynamic ecosystem where participants gain access to a comprehensive understanding of industry trends and emerging technologies while maintaining a strong focus on academic rigor.”

New Delhi, 1st Sept 2023: In step ahead to boost cooperation with New Zealand, India and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in civil aviation. This will cover the scheduling of new routes, code share services, traffic rights and capacity entitlement. The MoU was signed by Shri Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and HE Mr David Pine, the New Zealand High Commissioner in the presence of Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister for Civil Aviation of India and Damien O’ Connor, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Agriculture, Biosecurity, Land Information, Rural Communities of New Zealand. An Air Services Agreement was signed between New Zealand and India at Auckland on 1 May 2016. The Government of New Zealand and the Government of India have reviewed the existing arrangements relating to air service between the two countries. The MoU signed today is expected to further boost the bilateral ties in civil aviation between the two countries. According to the MoU, the designated airline(s) of New Zealand may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft, with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to/from six points in India, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Speaking on the occasion, Scindia said “Today is an important day for Civil Aviation air services between India and New Zealand. We have signed an MoU that has opened the possibilities of furthering of air transport between our two countries. The open sky policy has been put in place. The point of calls has been increased. We have also increased intermediate points.” The designated airline(s) of India may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to/from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and three more points in New Zealand to be named by the Government of the Republic of India. The designated airlines of both parties may operate any number of all-cargo services with any type of aircraft with third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic rights to/from any points in the territory of the other party via any intermediate point(s) and to any beyond point(s) regardless of the points specified in the Route Schedule.

Gurugram, 10th August 2023: Redbird Flight Training Academy Pvt. Ltd. (India) and Aviation Safety & Training Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Haite Group based in Singapore, announce a Joint Venture between the two entities. With this JV, Redbird Flight Training Academy collaborates with Aviation Safety & Training Pte. and will provide a comprehensive Cadet Pilot Programme in India. Speaking on the occasion, Parvez Damania – Director Corporate Affairs, RedBird Flight Training Academy, stated, “We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with Aviation Safety & Training Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Haite Group, Singapore. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in shaping the future of aviation training in India. This partnership has the potential to completely transform the aviation training sector within the country. RedBird’s widespread influence across all regions will contribute to the production of a larger number of Cadet Pilots, meeting the nation’s upcoming demand.” Acknowledging the gathering, Peter Zhao Shi Shan – General Manager, Aviation Safety & Training Pte Ltd., “We are committed to providing a one-stop solution for cadet pilot training, offering the best of both worlds – world-class CPL training in India and specialized type rating training in Singapore.” With Redbird’s cutting-edge facilities in India, aspiring pilots can now complete their CPL training before transitioning smoothly to Singapore for specialized type rating instruction under the supervision of Aviation Safety & Training Pte. Ltd. The collaboration offers a one-stop solution for cadet pilot training, combining world-class CPL training in India with advanced type rating training in Singapore. Due to its swiftly expanding aviation industry, India has the capability to emerge as a significant center for pilot training, meeting the needs of both local and global markets. The surge in low-cost airlines and improved accessibility has played a role in the sector’s remarkable expansion, generating a robust requirement for proficient pilots. With a dynamic and youthful population, India holds a significant number of individuals who are eager to forge aviation careers. This demographic advantage presents an ample reserve of potential pilot candidates, establishing a reliable source of aspiring aviation enthusiasts. The collaboration not only elevates the standards of aviation training but also bolsters India’s position as a hub for skilled and proficient pilots. With the support of Aviation Safety & Training Pte. Ltd.’s advanced simulators and expertise, Redbird Flight Training Academy Pvt. Ltd. aims to produce fully prepared Cadet Pilots, ready to embark on successful careers in the aviation industry.