Training & Certification
First T-7A Red Hawk Arrives at JBSA-Randolph for Pilot Training
The USAF begins transition to T-7A Red Hawk at JBSA-Randolph, replacing T-38 with a focus on digital training and modern systems.
This article is based on an official press release from the United States Air Force.
First T-7A Red Hawk Arrives at JBSA-Randolph, Marking New Era in Pilot Training
The United States Air Force has officially begun the physical transition to its next generation of pilot training. On Friday, December 5, 2025, the first T-7A Red Hawk assigned to the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) touched down at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph (JBSA-Randolph), Texas. The delivery marks a critical milestone in the program to replace the aging T-38 Talon fleet, which has been in service since the 1960s.
According to the Air Force, the aircraft was received by the 12th Flying Training Wing and specifically assigned to the 99th Flying Training Squadron (99th FTS). While the arrival signals the start of a new era, officials clarified that the jet will not immediately be used for student pilot training. Instead, the initial focus will be on validating maintenance procedures and familiarizing a core cadre of instructor pilots with the advanced digital system.
Operational Impact and Immediate Mission
The arrival of the T-7A at JBSA-Randolph initiates a “foundational” phase for the program. Air Force officials stated that the 99th FTS will utilize this first aircraft to develop new training syllabi that leverage the platform’s digital capabilities. This shift moves the curriculum away from the traditional “stick-and-rudder” focus of the T-38 toward the systems-management approach required for fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and F-22.
Brig. Gen. Matthew Leard, Director of AETC Plans, Programs, and Requirements, emphasized the shift in training philosophy necessitated by modern combat environments.
“The T-7 is more about displaying and ingesting large amounts of information. That really is the challenge of the fifth-gen or sixth-gen world.”
In addition to pilot familiarization, the aircraft will serve as a hands-on platform for “Type 1” maintenance training. This allows ground crews to validate technical orders and maintenance procedures on a live aircraft before the fleet expands.
Technical Leap: T-7A vs. T-38C
The T-7A Red Hawk, manufactured by Boeing and Saab, represents a multi-generational leap in capability over the Northrop T-38C Talon. Designed using modern digital engineering, the T-7A addresses specific performance gaps identified in preparing pilots for high-performance combat aircraft.
According to program data, the T-7A is powered by a single GE F404 turbofan engine, generating approximately three times the thrust of the T-38C’s twin GE J85 turbojets. The new aircraft also features a digital “glass” cockpit that mimics the displays found in the F-35 and F-22, a significant upgrade from the analog and hybrid gauges of the T-38.
Key Design Features
The airframe design includes “stadium seating,” placing the instructor higher than the student for superior visibility. Unlike the single-tail T-38, the T-7A utilizes twin tails, which provide enhanced control at low speeds and high angles of attack. Furthermore, the aircraft employs fly-by-wire flight controls, allowing it to simulate the flight characteristics of various combat platforms safely.
Honoring the Tuskegee Legacy
The “Red Hawk” name and the aircraft’s distinctive livery are direct tributes to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The red tail honors the “Red Tails” of the 332nd Fighter Group, who painted their P-47s and P-51s to distinguish their unit in combat.
The assignment of the first jet to the 99th Flying Training Squadron is historically significant, as the unit is the direct lineal descendant of the Tuskegee Airmen’s 99th Pursuit Squadron. Lt. Col. Michael Trott, Commander of the 99th FTS, highlighted this connection upon the aircraft’s arrival.
“We intend to continue the legacy of breaking barriers and challenging assumptions by utilizing the advanced capabilities of the T-7 training system.”
Program Timeline and Future Milestones
Following this initial delivery, the Air Force has outlined a phased rollout for the T-7A fleet. A second aircraft is scheduled to arrive at JBSA-Randolph in the spring of 2026. Deliveries will continue through 2026 and 2027 to build a fleet of 14 jets at the base.
The program projects Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for August 2027. By 2028, deployment is expected to expand to Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, which is slated to be the first base to train new student pilots on the T-7A system. In total, the Air Force plans to procure 351 aircraft and 46 simulators to fully replace the T-38 fleet.
AirPro News Analysis
The delivery of the first T-7A to an operational base is a tangible step forward for a program that has faced delays, but the strategic implication goes beyond simple fleet modernization. The Air Force is effectively acknowledging that the gap between trainer aircraft and frontline fighters had become too wide to bridge with legacy platforms.
By prioritizing information management and high-angle-of-attack flight characteristics in the T-7A, the Air Force is signaling that future air dominance will rely less on pure aerodynamic maneuvering and more on sensor fusion and data processing. The “Red Hawk” is not just a replacement for the T-38; it is a cultural shift in how the service defines pilot competency for the mid-21st century.
Sources
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.
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.
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.
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