This article summarizes reporting by Fox59.

Republic Airways Unveils $200 Million Aviation Campus in Carmel

Republic Airways has officially completed the transition to its new corporate headquarters and training campus in Carmel, Indiana. According to reporting by Fox59, the regional airline has consolidated its operations into a centralized hub located at the intersection of 126th Street and U.S. 31. The move marks the culmination of a $200 million investment designed to streamline operations and bolster the airline’s pilot training capabilities.

The new facility, situated within the Meridian Corporate Corridor, brings together the airline’s corporate leadership and its training subsidiary, LIFT Academy. By merging these functions, Republic Airways aims to create a seamless environment for workforce development, addressing critical industry challenges such as the ongoing global pilot shortage. The campus is now fully occupied as of February 2026, serving as the daily workplace for approximately 2,000 employees and trainees.

Campus Specifications and Infrastructure

The development repurposes the former Hamilton Crossing retail center into a high-density, mixed-use aviation ecosystem. According to project details cited in reports, the campus features two primary structures and significant support infrastructure:

• Corporate Headquarters: A 122,000-square-foot multi-story office building designed to facilitate collaboration among executives, schedulers, and operations staff.
• Training Center: A 105,000-square-foot facility equipped with eight full-motion flight simulators, cabin trainers, and classrooms.
• Hospitality and Retail: An on-site Hampton Inn was expanded from 109 to 272 rooms to accommodate visiting flight crews and technicians. The site also includes a parking garage with ground-floor commercial space.

Matt Koscal, an executive at Republic Airways, emphasized the strategic intent behind the facility in a statement regarding the project’s vision:

“This project ensures Republic is positioned to attract and retain the most talented and trained professionals in aviation by creating a space designed specifically to meet the needs of our associates.”

Strategic Focus: The LIFT Academy Integration

A central driver of this relocation is the integration of the LIFT Academy, Republic’s proprietary flight school. By locating the training center adjacent to corporate headquarters, the airline has established a direct “classroom-to-cockpit” pathway. This physical proximity allows for daily interaction between student pilots and airline leadership, fostering a unified corporate culture.

The facility utilizes advanced flight simulation technology to prepare pilots for complex scenarios. This modernization effort aligns with the airline’s broader goal of reducing the time and cost associated with training new pilots, a necessary step to maintain fleet operations for partners such as American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express.

AirPro News Analysis

The Vertical Integration of Regional Aviation
The completion of Republic’s Carmel campus highlights a shifting strategy among U.S. regional airlines: vertical integration of the talent pipeline. Historically, regional carriers relied on third-party flight schools to supply pilots. However, as major carriers aggressively recruit from regional ranks, the “pilot churn” has accelerated. By building a $200 million physical asset dedicated to training, Republic Airways is attempting to insulate itself from market volatility. This campus is not just an office; it is a defensive moat designed to control the quality and volume of incoming flight crews in an era of scarcity.

Economic Impact on the Meridian Corridor

The project has been described as a significant revitalization effort for the City of Carmel. Local officials have noted that the campus transforms an aging retail site into a vibrant corporate anchor. The influx of daily trainees functions similarly to a permanent convention, driving consistent business to local restaurants and services.

Former Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, who was instrumental during the project’s announcement phase, highlighted the scale of the development:

“What an opportunity, to be able to build a brand new city… It will be Carmel’s largest employer.”

The development was supported by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bonds, a mechanism where future property tax revenues generated by the site are used to fund necessary infrastructure improvements, such as the parking garage and street updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Republic Airways headquarters located?
The campus is located at 126th Street and U.S. 31 in Carmel, Indiana, within the Meridian Corporate Corridor.

What is the total cost of the project?
The total investment for the aviation campus is approximately $200 million.

How many employees work at the new campus?
The site hosts approximately 2,000 employees, including corporate staff, technicians, and a rotating roster of trainees.

What airlines does Republic Airways operate for?
Republic Airways operates flights under the brands American Eagle (American Airlines), Delta Connection (Delta Air Lines), and United Express (United Airlines).

Sources: Fox59

CAE Deploys Asia-Pacific’s First Boeing 777X Simulator to Singapore Training Hub

CAE has officially announced the deployment of the first Boeing 777X full-flight simulator (FFS) in the Asia-Pacific region. According to a company press release, the advanced training device will be installed at the Singapore-CAE Flight Training (SCFT) Centre, a joint venture facility operated in partnership with Singapore Airlines near Changi Airport.

The new simulator, a CAE 7000XR Series model, represents a critical infrastructure milestone for Asian carriers preparing for the entry-into-service of Boeing’s newest widebody aircraft. CAE confirmed that the simulator is currently being installed and is scheduled to be ready for pilot Training by Fall 2026, pending regulatory qualification.

Strategic Infrastructure for Asian Carriers

The placement of this simulator in Singapore addresses a significant logistical gap for Airlines in the region. Previously, operators preparing for the 777X would likely have needed to send flight crews to facilities in Europe or North America. By establishing a training footprint in Singapore, CAE aims to support the substantial order book for the 777X held by Asia-Pacific carriers.

Alexandre Prévost, CAE’s Division President for Civil Aviation, highlighted the strategic importance of the location in the company’s announcement:

“We are bringing the training capacity to where it is needed most, at the crossroads of Asia-Pacific aviation.”

, Alexandre Prévost, CAE Division President (Civil Aviation)

The SCFT Centre, established in 2018 as a 50/50 joint venture between CAE and Singapore Airlines, already houses simulators for the Boeing 737 MAX, 747, 777, and 787. The addition of the 777X device solidifies the facility’s status as a comprehensive Boeing training hub for the region.

Next-Generation Visual Technology

According to technical details released by CAE, the new simulator will feature the CAE Prodigy™ Image Generator. This visual system leverages gaming-engine technology,specifically Epic Games’ Unreal Engine,to deliver high-fidelity, photorealistic training environments.

Unlike previous generations of visual systems, the Prodigy generator is designed to render realistic 3D environments with high-density graphics. This includes dynamic lighting, realistic shadows, and “lifeforms” such as moving traffic and people on the ground. These enhancements are intended to improve pilot readiness by simulating complex weather and ground scenarios with greater accuracy.

AirPro News Analysis: The Timing of Training

The Fall 2026 operational target for this simulator aligns closely with the revised Delivery schedules for the Boeing 777X (777-9). While the aircraft program has faced multiple delays, the installation of training infrastructure suggests that the supply chain is preparing for a concrete entry-into-service window.

For airlines, the availability of a “Level D” simulator,the highest standard of flight simulation,prior to aircraft delivery is essential. It allows carriers to certify pilots and “pre-load” their workforce capabilities so that commercial operations can commence immediately once the physical aircraft are handed over. The presence of this device in Singapore is particularly vital for Singapore Airlines, which serves as the anchor tenant of the SCFT facility.

Regional Market Context

The Asia-Pacific region represents a massive market for the Boeing 777X. According to industry fleet data, several major carriers in the region have significant outstanding Orders for the type. By locating the simulator in Singapore, CAE is positioning itself to service not just Singapore Airlines, but also other key operators in East and Southeast Asia.

Key regional customers with 777X orders include:

• Singapore Airlines: 31 orders (777-9)
• Cathay Pacific: 35 orders
• All Nippon Airways (ANA): 20 orders
• Air India: 10 orders

While Lufthansa, the global launch customer, already has access to a CAE 777X simulator in Germany, and Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways maintain their own extensive training pipelines, the Singapore device fills the geographic void for the Far East market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the simulator be ready for use?

CAE has stated that the simulator is scheduled to be ready for training in Fall 2026, subject to regulatory qualification.

Where is the simulator located?

It is located at the Singapore-CAE Flight Training (SCFT) Centre, a joint venture facility near Changi Airport in Singapore.

What makes this simulator different from older models?

It utilizes the CAE Prodigy™ Image Generator, which is built on the Unreal Engine (gaming technology) to provide ultra-realistic visuals and environmental effects.

Who owns the training centre?

The centre is a joint venture owned equally (50/50) by Singapore Airlines and CAE.

Sources

• CAE Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from B&H Worldwide.

B&H Worldwide Executes Complex A330 Cockpit Delivery for Pacific Simulators

Aerospace logistics specialist B&H Worldwide has announced the successful transport of a decommissioned Airbus A330 cockpit from the United Kingdom to Christchurch, New Zealand. The project, executed for flight training device manufacturer Pacific Simulators (PacSim), highlights the logistical complexities involved in repurposing retired aircraft components for the simulation market.

According to the company’s announcement on February 9, 2026, the operation involved a multi-modal transit route requiring precise handling to navigate strict biosecurity regulations and physical shipping constraints. The cockpit section is set to be converted into a high-fidelity, fixed-base Flight Training Device (FTD), extending the operational life of the airframe in a training capacity.

Navigating “Bespoke” Logistical Challenges

While B&H Worldwide is traditionally associated with time-critical “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) air freight services, this project utilized sea freight, presenting a different set of engineering and handling challenges. The primary constraint involved fitting the wide-body cockpit section into a standard 20-foot sea freight container.

The process began in West Sussex, UK, where the unit was collected and transported to B&H Worldwide’s London Heathrow (LHR) facility. There, the logistics team performed specialized packing to ensure the irregularly shaped, high-value avionics and structural components could withstand the maritime journey without damage.

Lee Hedges, the New Zealand Branch Manager for B&H Worldwide, emphasized the significance of this operation in demonstrating the company’s broader capabilities beyond emergency logistics.

“While we are renowned for our time-critical AOG services, this successful delivery proves our capability to handle projects of any scale and scope. The safe arrival of the A330 cockpit in Christchurch is a testament to our team’s expertise in bespoke logistics solutions.”

, Lee Hedges, NZ Branch Manager, B&H Worldwide

Biosecurity and Regulatory Compliance

Shipping heavy cargo into New Zealand requires adherence to some of the strictest biosecurity standards in the world. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) enforces rigorous checks to prevent the introduction of invasive pests via sea containers.

According to the release, the shipment required clearance through an Approved Transitional Facility (ATF) upon arrival in Christchurch. B&H Worldwide managed the documentation and packing materials, such as treated timber, to ensure full compliance, preventing potential delays or fumigation orders that could have compromised the sensitive electronic equipment inside the cockpit.

AirPro News Analysis: The Shift Toward Sustainable Training Assets

The delivery of this A330 cockpit underscores a growing trend in the aerospace training sector: the upcycling of retired airframes. As the global demand for pilot training increases, manufacturers like Pacific Simulators are turning to decommissioned aircraft to create Flight Training Devices (FTDs).

Unlike Full Flight Simulators (FFS), which are massive, motion-based systems costing tens of millions of dollars, FTDs often use real aircraft shells to provide tactile realism at a lower cost. From a logistics perspective, this trend creates a niche market for freight forwarders capable of moving large, fragile aircraft sections via cost-effective sea freight rather than expensive air cargo. We anticipate seeing more “hybrid” logistics projects where AOG specialists apply their handling expertise to heavy-lift sea freight to support the circular aviation economy.

Final Delivery and Repurposing

Following customs and biosecurity clearance, the cockpit was delivered to Pacific Simulators’ facility in Christchurch. The unit will now undergo conversion into a simulator designed to replicate the A330 flight deck environment for pilot procedures training.

This project marks another collaboration between the logistics provider and the simulation manufacturer, reinforcing the supply chain links necessary to support the global flight training infrastructure.

Sources: B&H Worldwide