We sat down with Joel Young, Deputy Head of Training at Acron Aviation, to discuss the company's innovative approach to pilot training, customer partnerships, and what sets them apart in the aviation training industry.
Q: Joel, can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to Acron Aviation?
Aviation wasn’t my first career. I started out running an outdoor pursuits business before buying a share in a small plane, and from the moment I sat in the cockpit I knew this was where I belonged. That decision led me to commercial training and eventually to roles across Ryanair, Emirates, ASL, and other airlines – from Pilot to Instructor, Examiner, and Head of Training. Along the way, I experienced every type of airline operation: short-haul, long-haul, cargo, low-cost, and legacy carriers. That variety gave me a real sense of what airlines need from a training partner.
I first encountered Acron Aviation as a client when I was sourcing simulators. The openness and customer-first approach stood out immediately – they were faster, more flexible, and far more collaborative than anyone else I’d worked with. When the chance came to join, it was an easy decision. Today, I oversee airline training operations in London and Bangkok with nearly 100 Instructors, reporting into our Global Head of Training.
Q: What makes Acron Aviation’s approach to training different from other providers?
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Many providers will give you a standard course because the regulation provides standard generic footprints. At Acron Aviation, we start with the airline’s Standard Operating Procedures, their culture, and their specific challenges, and then we build the training around them.
This means constant engagement - weekly meetings at the start of a partnership, feedback loops, and adjusting the training footprint to meet real needs. With key legacy carriers, for example, they trust us enough to let us carry out three remedial training sessions without escalation, which shows the level of partnership we’ve built.
We also combine Evidence-Based Training (EBT) and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) methodologies with cutting-edge tools like our RealitySeven Full Flight Simulators, VR technology, and flight data monitoring (FDM). But technology is never just for show – it’s always about better outcomes for the pilots and airlines.
Q: How do you work with airlines to ensure training is tailored to their needs?
It’s about listening and integrating. We don’t see ourselves as a supplier – we become part of their team. With one airline recently, we went back as far as their academy training, advised on adjustments and then re-shaped our programme to close the competency gaps we identified. That level of trust and openness is rare in this industry but it’s the only way to deliver consistently strong pilots.
Ultimately, we aim for a tailored training “utopia” where every pilot, whether highly gifted or needing more support, gets exactly what they need to become a better pilot.
Q: How do Acron Aviation’s facilities and technology enhance the learning experience?
Our simulators are modern, high-fidelity and designed to replicate real-world conditions. This smooths the transition from simulator to line flying, meaning pilots require fewer line training sectors once they’re in the airline. One of our far east carriers saw a measurable reduction in line training needs after sending pilots to us.
Beyond simulators, we’re investing in VR for specific training scenarios and our FDM centre provides data-driven feedback that both airlines and trainees find invaluable. The key is realism and feedback - pilots leave better prepared, and airlines save time and cost.
Q: How do you maintain consistent standards across global training centres?
Consistency comes from people and process. Many of our Instructors work across multiple sites, so best practices are shared globally. We also invest heavily in standardisation meetings – which aren’t cheap, but they’re essential. Taking Instructors out of the simulator to align on best practice means we maintain a high global baseline while still allowing for local adaptation.
And feedback is constant – from trainees, Instructors, and airline partners. That loop keeps us sharp and ensures standards aren’t just maintained but continuously improved.
Q: Finally, how do you see Acron Aviation preparing pilots for the future of aviation?
We’re not just reacting to regulations; we’re helping shape them. Our involvement in industry groups like FOLG (Flight Operation Liaison Group) means we’re influencing the direction of training standards. That, combined with our investment in emerging tech like VR and eVTOL training, positions us ahead of the curve. Airlines partnering with us aren’t just getting today’s best practices – they’re getting tomorrow’s standards delivered today.
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About the author
Joel Young
Deputy Head of Training, Training ServicesAcron Aviation
