As Sofema Aviation Academy continues the journey toward 250,000 enrollments, the organization remains focused on a core principle: developing real operational competence rather than simply satisfying compliance requirements. In this interview, Sofema CEO Steve Bentley shares insights into the philosophy, evolution, and future of aviation training in an industry where safety, performance, and regulatory agility…

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…

In the high-stakes world of aviation maintenance, an error isn’t just a minor slip – it can be a multi-million dollar event that grounds an aircraft, delays a flight, or, worst of all, compromises safety. Too often, the immediate reaction is to point the finger at the technician on the job. But what if we…

Clearing the Fog: Understanding the Role of EASA 147 and ATOs in Non-Approved Ad-Hoc Training Interviewer: Steve, thank you for joining us. There’s increasing discussion about the confusion that exists among some third-country aviation authorities regarding EASA’s role in regulating ad-hoc or short vocational training. Can you tell us more about this issue? Steve Bentley:…