Aviation News Update – Week 28th of September

Every Monday Aviationfly releases the latest Marketplace Request for Proposals, Supplier Directory updates and Aviation Industry news headlines from the previous week. Here is a recap of last week (we are temporarily not publishing Marketplace or Supplier Directory or Marketplace as we are updating the system):

Aviation Industry News:

• Aviationfly is expanding its global coverage of Pilot Training Organizations
  We are updating our website and database and want to support the pilot training community by providing more visibility to pilot training organization around the globe (free of charge)! If you are a Pilot Training Organization or know someone working in a pilot training organization that would be interested in more visibility kindly reach out to us! We will then get in touch with you and create your profile to drive more visibility to our organization and social media platforms.
  Contact Us!
• The largest Pilot Training Group in the US - ATP Flight School is expanding!
  Construction is underway on ATP Flight School's advanced flight training center at the Arlington Municipal Airport in Arlington, TX. Specially designed for airline pilot development, the facility will increase ATP's current operations at the airport and expand training capacity to meet projected airline pilot demand. Every aspect of the new 13,875 square foot training center is optimized to efficiently and effectively deliver professional pilot training through ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program. Ample classroom and dedicated briefing space allow students to safely train in person, with a proven airline-oriented curriculum delivered by ATP's nationally awarded instructors. “The projected demand for airline pilots caused by mandatory retirements over the next ten years outstrips the training industry's current capabilities,” said Michael Arnold, director of marketing, ATP Flight School. “Investing in new facilities will ensure a stable pipeline of qualified pilots to meet demand and is essential to providing students with the resources, opportunity, and competitive qualifications they need for career success.”
  Source and discussion through this link.
• Australian Country flying schools see spike in recruits during coronavirus pandemic!
  Regional operators, including Geraldton's Shine Aviation, have been bustling with students wanting to learn to fly in recent months. Managing director John Gooch said there had been a 20 per cent increase in the number of students coming through its doors since the flight school reopened in June after lockdown. The Bunbury Flying School also reported a spike in new enrolments over recent months, which administrator Pamela Ray said had kept trainers busy. "We are probably doing an extra three hours a day with students," Ms Ray said. She said people who had lost their jobs during the pandemic were jumping at the opportunity to fly.
  Source and discussion through this link.
• SevenAir Academy, one of the leading Aviation Academies in Europe with its headquarters in Portugal has signed a cooperation agreement with Telepathy Academy from Turkey!
  The agreement embodies the international expansion strategy of both companies enabling them to offer EASA approved pilot courses for the Turkish market! Telepathy Academy based in Antalya provides courses for maintenance engineers and cabin crew.
  Source and discussion through this link.
• FlightLogger announced the release of an advanced Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) enhancement to the already popular FlightLogger flight school management platform!
  With the latest addition, FlightLogger positions themself as the leading provider of management software for pilot training organizations adhering to the framework launched by European EASA and widely used across emerging markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
  Check out the FlightLogger Profile.
• Flight school Learn to Fly Melbourne is the first in Australia to use Copenhagen-based Aviation eLearning’s Virtual 360E Editor (V360E) cockpit training technology.
  V360E creates and distributes virtual flight training modules as well as non-aircraft virtual training. Learn to Fly CEO Kai Li commented that V360E matches the school’s aim to provide cost-effective training that allows aspirants to reach flying goals faster. “V360E lets us customise our own aircraft procedures. Our instructors love it, and the best part, our students can access unlimited cockpit experience in the smartest way imaginable, from anywhere in the world.”
  Source and discussion through this link.
• Interesting to see Thai Airways looking to rent out their A380 Full Flight Simulator to the public!
  The training center was purpose-built for Thai Airways’ pilots and cabin crew known as Thai Flight Training Academy. However, the airline recently made known its plans to open up the flight simulators to the public. Prices start at 12,000 baht ($540) for a half-hour session for two people, rising to 36,000 baht ($1,620) for a full 90-minute session.
  Source and discussion through this link.
• Taiwan based StarLux Airlines enrolled its third batch of pilot trainee recruitment!
  15 pilot trainees will start their training soon!
  Source and discussion through this link.
• Halldale has announced Global ATS-V a Virtual Conference and Trade Show for the Pilot Training Community happening from November 10 to 12
  Source and discussion through this link.
• Pilot Training Group SIMAERO launches Learning Management System which is designed to perform various theoretical courses online from anywhere in the world!
  SIMAERO’s online Learning Management System provides different theoretical modules of type rating programs, including computer based training for aircraft systems as well as typical ground course content normally presented in a classroom with an instructor, such as Mass and Balance, Limitations, Performances as well as normal and abnormal standard operations procedures. The Learning Management System is very efficient in license revalidations, pilots’ assessments and theoretical skill tests. From July 2020 SIMAERO clients has begun to use the system and the feedback is very positive: quick and easy access to an intuitive online platform, which is adapted to all internet browsers and IOS and Android platforms of all devices such as computers, notebooks, ipad, tablet, smart telephones, allowing real-time monitoring of trainee progress and providing reduction of costs for companies and trainees, optimising the rotation of teaching personnel and allowing to save time and expenses of all concerned parties.
  Source and discussion through this link.
• ALSIM, global flight simulator manufacturer, delivers AL250 Simulator to Harford Air Services in the US!
• New Pilot Training infrastructure being developed in Iran!
  Arak Airport together with Arak University will develop a regional manufacturing & training hub for Pilots in Markazi Province!
• United, pilots agree on schedule reductions to avoid nearly 3,000 furloughs
  United Airlines’ pilots approved a plan to avoid furloughs until at least June 2021, the company said Monday, marking the latest cost-cutting deal between an airline and one of its biggest labor groups during the coronavirus pandemic. The Chicago-based carrier earlier this month said it planned to furlough 2,850 pilots, starting Oct. 1, when $25 billion in federal aid that protects airline sector jobs expires. Another 1,000 furloughs were planned for next year. It later reached a preliminary agreement with the pilots’ union to reduce minimum hours, essentially spreading schedules out among pilots, and maintain pay rates, which was later approved by union members!
  Source and discussion through this link.
• United Arab Emirates has just announced that airport workers can now receive a Covid19 vaccine!
  Frontline staff at the Sharjah International Airport have started receiving their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention announced on Tuesday. The vaccine is being delivered in cooperation with the Sharjah Government, and is in line with national efforts to protect frontline workers from COVID-19. The vaccine was granted emergency approval last month for use by frontliners, including those working in aviation.
  Source and discussion through this link.
• American Airlines said on Tuesday that it will offer coronavirus tests to passengers, joining United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue Airways in rolling out preflight testing! Tampa International Airport is the first airport in the United States to offer the tests and they will be available to passengers flying on any airline. Travelers have the option of taking a PCR test that returns results in 48 hours or a rapid antigen test that returns results in 15 minutes. Allowing travelers whose results are negative to skip or minimize quarantine restrictions in various destinations.
  Source and discussion through this link.
• Vietnam's aviation industry is gradually recovering with passenger numbers heading toward pre-pandemic levels after a months-long slump.
  Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi handled 29,000 passengers daily during the weekend, nearly triple the daily average of August when there was a Covid-19 resurgence. "As Vietnam is doing well in controlling the pandemic, we expect domestic travel growth to be maintained for the rest of the year as traveling abroad is mostly limited."
  Source and discussion through this link.
• Employees Band Together To Purchase SA Express!
  Just over six months ago, South African Express suspended its operations indefinitely. Now, it looks as if it may be able to return to the skies in the future. This is after a group of employees was given the green light to buy the airline. A group of the airline’s employees has emerged as the successful bidder to buy the carrier. The bidding process is said to have attracted at least 17 private-sector investors. Known as ‘Fly SAX’, the new company will have to raise at least 250 million South African Rand (just under $15 million) over the coming weeks. This should provide sufficient capital to recommence the airline’s operations. It will team up with the crowdfunding platform 'Uprise Africa'
  Source and discussion through this link.

If you have a Pilot Training Industry announcement that you would like to share with a larger audience please contact us.