Airbus Flight Academy Europe enhances training fleet with eco-friendly Elixir aircraft

Airbus Flight Academy Europe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus specialising in civil and military pilot training, has welcomed its initial set of four advanced Elixir training aircraft as a pivotal step in its commitment to sustainable development.

The delivery marks the beginning of an eight-aircraft fleet, with each of the first four equipped with a bespoke cockpit tailored for the Airbus Flight Academy. This includes two electronic flight instrument systems (EFIS), designed to familiarise cadet pilots with the cutting-edge technologies found in today’s most sophisticated commercial aircraft.

Established in 2006, Airbus Flight Academy Europe has been a cornerstone in providing comprehensive training facilities and services for civil and military pilot training. The academy, situated in Angoulême, southwest France, boasts state-of-the-art training assets to ensure optimal conditions for cadet pilots.

Since 2019, Airbus Flight Academy Europe has been successfully delivering the Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Programme, which is open to high school graduates worldwide aged 18 and above. The programme involves rigorous online and on-site screening tests, followed by extensive training comprising over 800 hours of ground school and 200 hours of practical (flight and simulator) training. Approximately 80 cadets undergo training annually at the academy.

The training fleet at Airbus Flight Academy Europe now includes Diamond DA42s, Cirrus SR20s, Grob 120 A-Fs and the newly introduced Elixir aircraft, all dedicated to cadet training. Additionally, the academy operates two FNPT II qualified simulators on-site and at customer locations, ensuring the provision of optimal training solutions for student pilots. The acquisition of more fuel-efficient and quieter Elixir aircraft aligns with Airbus Flight Academy Europe’s commitment to sustainable practices in aviation training.