FEBRUARY 2026AEROSPACEDEFENSEREVIEW.COM6EditorialAircraft training across the APAC region is facing heightened expectations as operators address safety, readiness and workforce continuity amid regulatory pressure and operational complexity. This edition of Aerospace and Defense Review APAC explores how training organizations and industry leaders are aligning instruction more closely with real-world operational demands.At the center of this issue is Skynet Academy named Aircraft Training Company of the Year in APAC. With over six decades of experience, the academy has built a training model that emphasizes operational readiness over flight-hour accumulation. Operating under JCAB Part 135 certification and subject to annual audits, Skynet Academy mirrors airline-level discipline in its curriculum. Its structured integration of simulators, a purpose-balanced training fleet and operations across Sendai and Tokyo creates consistent exposure to varied flight environments. The academy's scholarship-led approach and strong graduate placement record further demonstrate its measurable impact on Japan's domestic aviation ecosystem and its ability to deliver pilots trusted by airlines.Beyond cover recognition, this issue highlights complementary contributions that demonstrate how training directly connects to operational performance. Ben Osborn, Head of Airworthiness Compliance at Northrop Grumman, outlines how digital maintenance systems, calibrated tooling and disciplined confidence testing improve safety outcomes. His insights highlight the importance of training environments that support quality assurance, especially as maintenance teams adapt to workforce transitions and evolving standards.From an airline operations perspective, Mark Finger, Manager ­ AOG Response at Delta Air Lines, examines how structured preparation, predictive technologies and experience-driven judgment underpin effective aircraft-on-ground response. His contribution highlights the role of training in developing professionals who can combine data with decisive action under pressure.Together, these perspectives affirm that aircraft training is foundational to safety, reliability and leadership across aviation. Readers are encouraged to explore this issue to gain deeper insight into how disciplined training continues to shape resilient and accountable aviation operations in APAC.Training Readiness for Modern AviationJonathan AllredManaging Editorjonathan@aerospacedefensereview.comCopyright © 2026 ValleyMedia Inc., All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustrations without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine and accordingly, no liability is assumed by the publisher thereof.FEBRUARY 2026, Vol 08 - Issue 01, ISSN 2691-395XPublished by ValleyMedia, Inc.To subscribe to Aerospace & Defense ReviewVisit www.aerospacedefensereview.comManaging Editor Jonathan AllredEditorial StaffAndrea FrancisJohn SmithRosalind JacobsJem ElizabethRichard Taylor Surajit Narayan DekaVisualizersCelestial JordanYenny Turner*All Insights are based on the interviews with respective CIOs and CXOs to our editorial staffEmailsales@aerospacedefensereview.comeditor@aerospacedefensereview.commarketing@aerospacedefensereview.comAPAC
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