Training & Certification
OSM Aviation Academy Orders Tecnam P-Mentor Fleet for Pilot Training Expansion
OSM Aviation Academy plans to purchase 25 IFR-certified Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft to modernize pilot training and expand globally.
OSM Aviation Academy Bets Big on Tecnam’s P-Mentor for Future Pilot Training
In a significant move for the pilot training industry, OSM Aviation Academy (OSMAA) has signaled its intent to purchase 25 IFR-certified P-Mentor aircraft from Italian manufacturer Tecnam. This decision, formalized through a Letter of Intent (LOI), underscores a strategic push to modernize training fleets and meet the escalating global demand for professionally trained pilots. The agreement, which includes options for an additional five aircraft, is not merely a transactional equipment upgrade; it represents a calculated investment in the future of aviation education, aligning with industry-wide shifts towards greater efficiency, sustainability, and advanced technological integration.
The partnership between a leading international flight school and an innovative aircraft manufacturer highlights a critical trend: the modernization of pilot training to better prepare cadets for the complexities of modern airline operations. OSMAA’s “Airline Ready®” concept is central to this initiative, aiming to produce pilots who are not just licensed, but are thoroughly prepared for the rigorous demands of a commercial airline career. By selecting the P-Mentor, a state-of-the-art training platform, OSMAA is reinforcing its commitment to providing cadets with the tools and experience necessary to seamlessly transition into the cockpit of a commercial airliner.
A Strategic Fleet Overhaul for Global Expansion
The acquisition of the Tecnam P-Mentor fleet is a cornerstone of OSMAA’s ambitious growth strategy. The academy is not just enhancing its existing European operations but is also laying the groundwork for a significant expansion into the United States. This move is a direct response to the robust demand for OSMAA’s cadet programs and the broader need for qualified pilots across the globe. The choice of aircraft is pivotal to this expansion, as the P-Mentor’s capabilities align perfectly with the requirements of a modern, international flight training organization.
The P-Mentor is a two-seat, single-engine trainer fully certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Performance-Based Navigation (PBN). This is a crucial feature, as it allows for comprehensive training in all-weather conditions from an early stage, a non-negotiable skill for any aspiring airline pilot. The aircraft’s advanced avionics suite mirrors the sophisticated systems found in contemporary commercial jets, providing cadets with relevant, transferable skills. This focus on advanced, integrated training ensures that graduates are not just meeting minimum requirements but are truly “Airline Ready®” upon completion of their program.
Furthermore, the agreement reflects a broader industry trend towards operational efficiency and sustainability. The P-Mentor is noted for its low fuel consumption, a key consideration in an era of volatile fuel prices and increasing environmental scrutiny. By investing in a more fuel-efficient fleet, OSMAA can manage operating costs more effectively while also reducing its environmental footprint. This dual benefit of economic and ecological sustainability makes the P-Mentor an attractive choice for forward-thinking flight schools looking to build resilient and responsible operations.
“The P-Mentor’s efficiency, safety, and IFR capabilities make it the perfect aircraft for training the next generation of Airline Ready® pilots.” – Martin Floor, CEO of OSM Aviation Academy
The Tecnam P-Mentor: A Modern Solution for Modern Training Needs
Tecnam has positioned the P-Mentor as a premier solution for flight schools aiming to modernize their fleets. The aircraft is designed to comply with the latest European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements, ensuring it meets the highest standards of safety and performance. Its design philosophy centers on providing a platform that is both technologically advanced and economically viable, addressing the core challenges faced by training organizations today.
The order from a prominent institution like OSMAA serves as a powerful endorsement of Tecnam’s vision and the P-Mentor’s capabilities. For Tecnam, this partnership validates their focus on developing aircraft that are not only reliable and efficient but also tailored to the specific needs of the flight training market. It solidifies the P-Mentor’s reputation as a leading choice for flight schools committed to excellence and innovation in pilot education.
As Hans Kyrre Hultgren, Executive Director of OSM Aviation Academy, noted, this aircraft order is part of a larger strategy to establish a strong foothold in the United States. This expansion is not just about increasing capacity; it’s about creating a platform for sustained growth in both the U.S. and European markets. The versatility and advanced features of the P-Mentor are instrumental in enabling this cross-continental strategy, providing a standardized, high-quality training experience regardless of location.
A Partnership Shaping the Future of Pilot Training
The collaboration between OSM Aviation Academy and Tecnam is more than a simple procurement deal; it’s a strategic alliance that reflects the evolving landscape of aviation training. As the industry grapples with a persistent pilot shortage, the need for efficient, effective, and technologically advanced training solutions has never been more critical. This agreement addresses that need head-on, providing a scalable model for producing the next generation of highly skilled aviators.
Looking ahead, this partnerships is likely to influence other flight training organizations to re-evaluate their own fleets and training methodologies. The emphasis on IFR capabilities, modern avionics, and sustainability is setting a new benchmark for the industry. As OSMAA integrates the new P-Mentor fleet and expands its global footprint, the success of its “Airline Ready®” program will be a key indicator of the effectiveness of this modern training philosophy. The ripple effects of this decision will likely be felt across the aviation training sector for years to come.
FAQ
Question: What is the agreement between OSM Aviation Academy and Tecnam?
Answer: OSM Aviation Academy has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase 25 IFR-certified Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft, with an option for five more.
Question: Why did OSM Aviation Academy choose the Tecnam P-Mentor?
Answer: The P-Mentor was chosen for its advanced IFR and PBN capabilities, modern avionics, fuel efficiency, and compliance with the latest EASA safety standards, making it ideal for training “Airline Ready®” pilots.
Question: What is the strategic importance of this aircraft order?
Answer: The order is a key part of OSMAA’s strategy to scale its operations, enhance its training capacity for its cadet programs, and support its expansion into the U.S. market.
Sources
Photo Credit: Tecnam
Training & Certification
CAE Adds Four Business Jet Simulators Across the Americas
CAE deploys four full-flight simulators in the Americas for the Global 6500, Praetor 600, PC-24, and CJ4 amid talent shortage.
Canadian training provider CAE announced the deployment of four additional full-flight simulators across the Americas on October 20, 2026, expanding localized training capacity for high-demand business jets.
Revealed during the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the expansion targets a projected long-term shortage of aviation professionals. In a press release, the company stated the new hardware will support training for the Bombardier Global 6500, Embraer Praetor 600, Pilatus PC-24, and Cessna Citation CJ4.
Expanding localized training capacity
The addition of the four simulators is designed to align CAE’s global training network with growing customer and fleet demand. By placing training hardware closer to where operators require it, the company aims to reduce the need for flight crews to travel long distances for initial and recurrent training.
While the specific cities or training center locations for the four new simulators within the Americas region were not detailed in the October 20 announcement, the deployment fits into a broader strategy of regionalized training hubs.
Alexandre Prévost, President of Civil Aviation at CAE, noted the importance of localized access for operators.
“These simulator deployments expand access to high-quality training on the aircraft our customers fly, where they need it, while delivering the quality and experience they expect from CAE. It’s about helping crews stay ready, perform at their best and fly safely.”
Addressing the aviation talent shortage
The business aviation sector is experiencing sustained growth, driving a long-term need for qualified personnel. According to CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast, the industry will require 102,000 new business aviation professionals worldwide by 2034.
That projection comprises 33,000 new business aviation pilots and 69,000 maintenance technicians. Prévost stated that as business aviation demand grows, the company is strengthening its global training network to meet the evolving needs of operators facing these workforce pressures.
CAE’s decade of business aviation growth
Over the past decade, CAE has nearly doubled its business aviation training capacity. The company’s global business aviation training network now includes more than 130 full-flight simulators.
To support this infrastructure, CAE employs approximately 1,000 instructors worldwide. Together, this network delivers more than 300,000 hours of training annually across both pilot and maintenance disciplines.
AirPro News analysis
The decision to deploy simulators for the Global 6500, Praetor 600, PC-24, and CJ4 reflects the current delivery mix and utilization rates in the Americas. By distributing simulator capacity regionally rather than centralizing it, training providers are directly addressing operator concerns about crew downtime. In a tight labor market where 33,000 new business aviation pilots are needed over the next decade, minimizing the days crews spend traveling to training events becomes a competitive advantage for both the operators and the training providers they select.
Photo Credit: CAE
Training & Certification
Bombardier Opens Wichita Training Center in $50M Investment
Bombardier inaugurated its North American Learning Center in Wichita, Kansas, training 250 mechanics annually as part of a $50M site expansion.
Bombardier Inc. inaugurated its first dedicated in-house skills development facility for United States aircraft technicians on October 15, 2026, anchoring an approximately $50 million investment in its Wichita, Kansas, operations.
The North American Learning Center and an expanded wheel and tire shop are designed to address industry-wide skilled labor constraints by internalizing mechanic training and boosting component repair capacity. In a press release issued on October 15, the Canadian manufacturer stated the investment ensures a steady pipeline of qualified personnel to support its growing network of 10 American service centers.
Training infrastructure and capacity
The newly opened North American Learning Center represents a strategic shift for Bombardier in how it prepares its aftermarket workforce. The facility features a retired Bombardier Global 5000 fuselage mounted on jack stands. This setup allows students to practice maintenance procedures on an actual airframe without the risk of damaging a customer aircraft.
According to reporting by Aviation International News and the Wichita Business Journal, the center will host two-week training courses for cohorts of up to 40 students. Over the next 12 months, Bombardier expects approximately 250 newly hired aircraft technicians and mechanics to pass through the curriculum.
The facility also incorporates dedicated back shops where trainees practice foundational aviation maintenance skills, including sheet metal fabrication, safety wire twisting, and digital manual navigation. Bombardier plans to expand the curriculum in the future to include advanced maintenance training and interior removal and installation courses.
Component repair expansion
Alongside the training center, the $50 million investment funded a significant modernization of the Wichita site’s wheel and tire shop. The upgraded facility is projected to double its throughput from 2,300 units last year to 5,000 units this year.
Once fully ramped up, the expanded shop will have the capacity to service 15,000 wheels and tires annually. This increased Component Repair and Overhaul (CR&O) capability is intended to directly support the company’s distributed service network across the country.
Paul Sislian, Executive Vice President of Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Aftermarket Services, highlighted the dual focus of the investment.
“Our approximately $50 million investment brings together important initiatives across the site, from the new Learning Center to expanded wheel and tire capabilities, strengthening both our people and our operations,” Sislian said. “This commitment to Wichita’s future will deepen the expertise and capabilities that will allow us to deliver an even stronger experience for our customers, while position the site for continued growth.”
Transitioning the Air Capital footprint
The October 15, 2026, inauguration marks the latest phase in Bombardier’s repositioning of its Wichita footprint. Known historically as the “Air Capital of the World,” the city was the manufacturing home of the Learjet program for six decades.
Bombardier announced the end of Learjet production on February 11, 2021, to focus resources on its more profitable Challenger and Global aircraft families. The final Learjet 75 rolled off the Wichita assembly line on March 28, 2022.
Rather than drawing down its presence following the end of aircraft manufacturing at the site, Bombardier designated the one-million-square-foot facility as its United States headquarters on April 19, 2022. The location also became the base for the newly launched Bombardier Defense division, alongside an existing major service center and flight test center.
Today, Bombardier employs 1,500 people in Kansas out of a total United States workforce of 3,500. The company reports an annual supplier spend of $2.5 billion across the country.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who attended the inauguration alongside Lieutenant Governor David Toland, noted the state’s ongoing relationship with the manufacturer.
“Since 2019, my administration has partnered with Bombardier to build up the company’s presence in Wichita, which today now includes the new Learning Center, Bombardier Group’s U.S. headquarters, home of Bombardier Defense and the employment of 1,500 Kansans,” Kelly said.
AirPro News analysis
The aviation aftermarket is currently constrained by a severe shortage of skilled labor. By moving technician training in-house and simultaneously expanding component repair capacity, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Bombardier are acknowledging that physical hangar space is no longer the primary bottleneck to aftermarket growth. We view this $50 million investment as a defensive strategy to protect service revenue. If an OEM cannot guarantee a steady supply of qualified mechanics and overhauled components, its expanded service centers cannot operate at capacity. Internalizing the training pipeline reduces reliance on third-party technical schools and ensures new hires are immediately productive on specific airframes like the Global 5000.
Photo Credit: Bombardier Inc.
Training & Certification
FAA Approves First US G600 G700 Convertible Simulator
FAA certifies FlightSafety International’s Gulfstream G600/G700 convertible Level D simulator in Long Beach, CA.
The FAA has approved FlightSafety International’s new Gulfstream G600 and G700 convertible Level D Full-Flight Simulator, establishing the first dual-configuration training device for the aircraft types in the United States.
Announced in a company press release on October 1, 2026, the approval allows the training provider to serve operators of both the Gulfstream GVII and GVIII platforms from a single device at its Long Beach, California, facility. The certification addresses a growing domestic requirement for pilot training capacity as the G700 fleet expands.
Expanding domestic training capacity
The new simulator was engineered and manufactured at FlightSafety International’s facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, before installation at the Long Beach Learning Center. The convertible design allows the device to switch between G600 and G700 configurations, optimizing scheduling for type-rated pilots.
Ben Carter, Executive Vice President of Learning Center Operations at FlightSafety International, stated that the new convertible simulator reflects the company’s commitment to providing innovative training solutions.
“By enabling multiple aircraft configurations within a single device, we are helping customers optimize training access while maintaining the highest standards of fidelity and safety,” Carter said.
The Long Beach approval follows a similar certification in Asia. In August 2026, the FAA certified the company’s other G600 and G700 convertible device in Singapore for G600 training, which currently serves regional operators.
Technical specifications and capabilities
The Long Beach device is certified as a Level D Full-Flight Simulator, the highest level of flight simulator qualification, requiring a comprehensive aerodynamic model and a full motion platform.
The simulator is equipped with the company’s proprietary VITAL 1150 image generator and a 42-inch electric motion base. The system supports advanced training requirements, specifically including steep approach operations for the G600.
Gulfstream fleet expansion and training demand
The introduction of the convertible simulator aligns with the operational growth of Gulfstream’s ultra-long-range business jet portfolio. The G600 entered service in August 2019, establishing a mature operator base requiring recurrent training.
Demand for G700 training is currently accelerating following the aircraft’s recent entry into service. The FAA granted type certification for the G700 on March 29, 2024, and Gulfstream commenced customer deliveries on April 23, 2024.
FlightSafety International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 1996, is marking its 75th anniversary in 2026. The company provides training to aviation professionals from more than 170 countries and operates one of the largest global fleets of advanced flight simulators.
AirPro News analysis
We view the deployment of convertible simulators as a necessary capital efficiency strategy for training providers managing the transition between aircraft generations. Because the G700 fleet is still in its early delivery phase, a dedicated G700 simulator might experience lower utilization rates in the near term. By combining GVII and GVIII configurations into a single Level D device, FlightSafety International can maintain high utilization through the established G600 market while simultaneously absorbing the growing wave of initial type-rating demand for the G700.
Photo Credit: FlightSafety International
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