Summary
- Boeing estimates that 602,000 new pilots will be needed by 2041, with 122,000 needed in Europe.
- BAA Training’s new pilot training facility near Paris-Orly Airport will help meet this demand, with at least 2,000 pilots expected to be trained annually.
- BAA Training is expanding globally and has a range of simulators and training programs, aiming to exceed industry needs and shape the future of aviation.
In its 2022 Pilot and Technician Outlook, Boeing estimated that 602,000 new pilots will be needed by 2041. The Boeing report highlighted that 122,000 or 20% of those will be needed in Europe, along with 207,000 new cabin crew and 120,000 maintenance technicians.
As well as finding those 449,000 new people, there is also the burning question of training them and having the facilities and expertise available to get new entrants up to the exacting standards demanded by commercial aviation regulators, airlines and the traveling public.
A wide network of facilities and equipment
That’s one important reason why last week’s announcement from BAA Training about its new pilot training facility near Paris-Orly Airport is such good news. On September 27, BAA Training held the opening ceremony for its new pilot training facility, which it said was “primarily inspired by collaboration with Transavia France” and required a €30 million ($31.8m) investment.
Photo: BAA Training
BAA Training has existing training facilities in Lithuania, Spain and Vietnam and is actively expanding with global locations under consideration for future expansion. Speaking about the opening, BAA Training CEO Marijus Ravoitis said:
“Today marks a milestone in the BAA Training journey as we proudly open our new, already fourth simulator training center. Amidst the aviation industry facing the challenges of a pilot shortage, the timing couldn’t be better for us to establish this facility. We remain confident in our commitment to meet and exceed industry needs, shaping the future of aviation.”
The Paris-Orly center, which offers simulator wet and dry lease services, is forecast to train at least 2,000 pilots annually for both Transavia and other airlines and aviation companies. It currently has three full-flight simulators, two 737NGs and one 747-400, with an Airbus A320neo simulator ready for use at the start of November, and in 2024-2025 two more full-flight simulators will be added.
Apart from the simulators, the BAA center also has A320/321 and 737 Door Trainers, an A321/321 Cabin Crew Emergency Evacuation Trainer, an A320/737 Slide, a Real Fire Fighting Trainer and a 737 Flight Training Device (FTD). Other equipment that will be installed by the end of this year includes an A320 FTD Level 1 and a 737 NG Level 2 FTD.
Transavia France is an inspiration
BAA Training said Transavia France was the inspiration for the new center, and the airline’s CEO, Olivier Mazzucchelli, noted that the two companies share the same DNA: “safety first and efficient operations with a fast-growing, entrepreneurial and agile mindset. BAA Training demonstrated its understanding of our needs from day one to support our growing and challenging training plan on B737NG and from Q3 2023 on A320neo.”
Photo: Andrey Vyrodov / Shutterstock
With its headquarters in Lithuania, BAA Training is one of the few EASA Approved Training Organisations in Europe delivering both Ab Initio and Type Rating training. It has a range of full-flight simulators and flight training devices for Airbus A320, Boeing 737 MAX, 737NG, 737 CL and 747-400 aircraft types. It has access to a partner network of more than 69 full-flight simulators in 29 locations worldwide and offers more than 45 training programs.
It is a member of the Avia Solutions Group family, the world’s largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) provider with a fleet of 192 aircraft. The Avia group also includes maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, pilot and crew training, ground handling and associated services in more than 68 countries.