KlasJet Director of Flight Operations Diako Rad and Head of HR Sandra Diaso explore the importance of continuous development in flight operations. Airlines must invest in pilot training beyond mandatory requirements, including Crew Resource Management (CRM) and evidence-based training.
The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize two anti-submarine warfare mission crew trainers that were intercepted while being shipped from South Africa to China's People's Liberation Army. The trainers, manufactured by the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, were allegedly designed to support training in airborne early warning and ASW missions.
The US Army has selected Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Training will cover 1,200 pilots annually starting in 2027, representing a significant expansion of Army aviation training capacity.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
Beechcraft has unveiled the M-346N, a jet trainer designed for the U.S. Navy.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, nearly 100 cadet pilots were trained during 2025 as part of a broader effort to expand and professionalize its aviation personnel pipeline. The ministry also reported issuing 437 state certificates to aviation personnel following qualification exams in 2025.
The Spanish Air Force has selected the Pilatus PC-21 as its new training system, worth over 200 million euros. The order includes 24 aircraft, simulators, spare parts, and logistics support.
The Spanish Air Force has decided to buy another 16 PC-21s from Pilatus, following an initial order in early 2020. The contract makes Spain the largest operator of the PC-21 in Europe.
Spain has formalized four contracts for 100 Airbus helicopters under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May 2025. The deal covers four different models intended for all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces.
The US Space Force is prioritizing orbital warfare training under Gen. Gregory Gagnon's command.
The US Space Force plans to issue an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract this summer to create a pool of qualified vendors for physical/live training needs. The program aims to improve training capacity across electronic, cyber and orbital warfare mission areas.
Piper Aircraft has entered into an agreement with United Aviate Academy to provide up to three multi-engine Piper Seminole aircraft for training purposes. As part of the partnership, UAA will become a member of the Piper Flight School Alliance.
The Pilatus PC-7 MKX is an improved version of the iconic PC-7 MkII, featuring modern avionics and a Ground Based Training System. Breaking Defense reports that the aircraft has been presented to Air Force Academy flight instructors in the UAE, with positive feedback received on its performance.
Pilatus has shared an experience report of its technician Roland Steiger and his colleague Reto Strauss, who have been supporting Babcock International's maintenance team at the base aérienne 709 Cognac-Châteaubernard since 2018. The base was originally built for the French Air Force in 1940 but was occupied by the German air force during WWII.
Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd has launched an apprenticeship program in Broomfield, USA, introducing a traditional vocational model that combines classroom study with practical experience. According to Pilatus, the program offers valuable job skills, college credits, and full benefits.
Pilatus develops custom training systems for air forces, including simulators and software. The company's Government Aviation Business Unit creates entire training systems, not just aircraft, to meet each customer's specific requirements.
The US Army's 11th Airborne Division conducted Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 26-02 training exercises in Alaska, where soldiers simulated an Arctic conflict scenario amidst freezing temperatures. According to Breaking Defense, the training comes as the Pentagon reorients to homeland defense.
The Pentagon is streamlining oversight in modeling, simulation, and training to accelerate capability delivery to warfighters. Undersecretary of Defense Michael Duffey announced at I/ITSEC 2025 that the department will reduce bureaucratic constraints, empower program managers with greater flexibility, and prioritize schedule adherence over rigid requirement fulfillment.
The global fleet of just under 250 PC-21 training aircraft recently set a historic milestone with over 500,000 successful hours in the air. Breaking Defense reports that experience with current customers shows a 50% reduction in training costs.
Lufthansa Aviation Training has developed an AI-powered chatbot called mAIntor, which provides instant access to its vast documentation library. The tool is designed to help pilots and crew navigate complex technical issues during training, reducing the need for manual searches and improving overall efficiency.
The French Procurement Agency has awarded Pilatus a contract to supply 22 PC-7 MKX aircraft for basic military pilot training, starting in 2027. Babcock France will provide training services under a 17-year agreement.
A five-year-old Colorado boy's keen eye for detail led him to discover an anomaly in the Southwest Airlines training manual. His mother shared his story on social media, catching the attention of Josh, a Southwest pilot who initiated a conversation about aviation.
The US Army has selected Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Training will cover 1,200 pilots annually starting in 2027, representing a significant expansion of Army aviation training capacity.
Cirrus Aircraft proudly announced the 2025 Authorized Network Awards during the annual CX 2026 conference in Las Vegas. The awards spotlight Training and Service partners worldwide whose dedication and enthusiasm have raised the bar for world-class Cirrus training and service.
Pilatus has expanded its training program with the tenth anniversary edition of the Info Event, welcoming 387 visitors in 2019. The event offers pupils a chance to explore career options at Pilatus and participate in trial apprenticeships.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have awarded Boeing's 777-9 flight training simulator initial qualification, marking an important milestone in the company's training program. The qualification certificate means Boeing is 'one step closer to conducting regulator-approved pilot training'.
Belgium has ordered 18 Pilatus PC-7 MKX training aircraft for the Belgian Air Force, marking the third European nation to select the Swiss manufacturer's advanced trainer. The order includes a comprehensive Ground-Based Training System with simulators, computer-based training platforms, and mission planning tools.
As cockpits span generations, training organizations are addressing the need for type rating courses that prepare pilots to work effectively across generational divides. Younger pilots prefer interactive learning tools, while experienced pilots value structured progression and instructor-led debriefs.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
The Army's acquisition overhaul is accelerating modernization of its simulation and training capabilities, according to Brig. Gen.
The US Army is preparing to integrate small drones into its forces, with a goal of fielding one-way attack drones to every squad by October. To achieve this, the Army is hosting a drone warfighter competition to explore training and tactics changes.
The US Army has selected three companies to move on to the next phase of its Flight School Next competition, which aims to train 900-1,500 rotary wing pilots per year with a period of performance of 26 years. Lockheed Martin will partner with Robinson for the program, while Bell and M1 are competing as their own entities.
The Army has selected three companies - Bell, M1, and Lockheed Martin - to move on to the next phase of the Flight School Next program. The companies will provide more information about their proposals and illustrate their full-scale solutions.
Airline pilot hiring shows signs of renewed momentum heading into 2026, according to data from ATP and Aero Crew Solutions. Major airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines ramped hiring to maximum capacity late in 2025, with plans to continue into 2026.
The US Air Force is set to declare its T-7 Red Hawk training jet ready for production within days, following years of delays. The program has faced challenges, including design woes at Boeing and issues with flight control software.
The US Air Force is procuring two additional Boeing-made 747 jets from Lufthansa to support the VC-25B presidential airlift program. The aircraft will be used for training and spares, with delivery expected early next year.