Steven Bentley's posts

Sofema Online Manifesto Interview: “Why We Talk You Out of Expensive Courses”

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Interview image

January 15, 2026

Steven Bentley

In this interview, Sofema CEO Steve Bentley explains his “partnership-first” strategy for 2026, prioritizing long-term client trust over short-term profits through transparent pricing, “down-selling” unnecessary training, and freezing costs to support aviation budgets. Interviewer: Steve, 2026 is starting with a lot of economic pressure on aviation training budgets. You’ve recently said that Sofema’s goal is sometimes…

Article 33 of the Chicago Convention

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An aerial view of snow-covered mountain ranges at sunset, viewed from an aircraft window with two jet engines visible in the foreground. A dark blue overlay contains the white text "Article 33 of the Chicago Convention," and the Sofema Aviation Services logo is in the top left corner.

January 15, 2026

Steven Bentley

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) considers the key features of ICAO Article 33 of the Chicago Convention. Introduction – Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944 is the cornerstone of international aviation. It establishes the principle of mutual recognition for certificates and licenses, ensuring that aircraft and pilots do not need to be re-certified by every single…

ICAO Annex 8, Approval of Production and Coordination Between States

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Production

January 14, 2026

Steven Bentley

Sofema Aviation Services Considers Key Expectations Related to Production Approval Production Approval – The standards for production approval ensure that every aircraft, engine, propeller, and associated part (and as of November 2026, remotely piloted aircraft systems) conforms to an approved design and is in a condition for safe operation. Responsibilities of the State of Manufacture The…

SOL Plus Paid Membership: Frequently Asked Questions

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January 13, 2026

Steven Bentley

Sofema provides a comprehensive Q&A guide to the new SOL Plus Paid membership, detailing how aviation professionals can transition from a pay-as-you-go model to a high-value subscription featuring exclusive discounts and unlimited study materials. GENERAL & VALUE Q: What exactly is SOL Plus Paid? A: SOL Plus Paid is a VIP subscription tier designed for aviation…