An Exclusive Conversation with Petya Ilieva, Director of Tech, Training Support & Marketing at Sofema Aviation Services

Sofema Online has successfully developed its completely new, custom-built Learning Management System (LMS) and is currently in its final pre-launch phase.

This strategic move marks a significant evolution in how the company supports aviation professionals globally, with the full release scheduled for March 2, 2026. We sat down with Petya Ilieva, Director of Tech, Training Support & Marketing at Sofema Aviation Services, to discuss the bold decision to build anew, the rigorous technical journey, and the long-term vision for this transformative project.

Part 1: The Strategy Behind the Transformation

Q1. What was the primary catalyst for deciding to replace the existing LMS, rather than pursuing a heavy upgrade or customization path?

A: The world is moving forward - and so are we. Sofema Online began with just a few online courses; today, we offer hundreds. With the expertise gained over the years, we are able to offer more - not only to meet regulatory obligations but also to strongly support the professional development of people in the sector. At this point, our current LMS, initially launched in 2013, was struggling to continue to grow with us.

At Sofema Online we understood the optimum approach was to build our own scalable training ecosystem, one that allows us to support our customers in the best possible way and give them a smooth, enjoyable learning experience.

Q2. Can you describe the key limitations of the previous LMS that were most impactful to Sofema Online's operations, user experience, and growth?

A: We truly value people's time - it's the most precious thing nowadays. And we wanted to ensure our learners spend that time on what really matters - the material itself and applying their knowledge in the real world. The legacy system created unnecessary friction. That’s why we aimed to create something better, faster, and more intuitive, so professionals don't lose time navigating platforms but can focus fully on their development.

Q3. What were the non-negotiable functional requirements for the new LMS, and which feature gaps in the old system did the team prioritize addressing?

A: Our experts spent a great deal of time analyzing customer feedback. This is the primary reason we always strive to encourage reviews and genuinely mean it when we say every comment is considered. When shaping the new LMS, we focused on the need to fully engage with the requests we heard most often from our valued customers:

• better navigation,
• personalized dashboards,
• streamlined payments,

Plus many other key improvements that ensure the overall experience becomes more supportive. Our goal was to turn that direct feedback into real, practical upgrades.

Q4. How did the team evaluate the return on investment (ROI) for developing a completely new LMS versus continuing with an existing platform?

A: We looked at ROI not only in terms of cost but also in terms of long-term value. The team focused on how a purpose-built system would allow us to innovate faster and support new ideas without the restrictions of a third-party platform.

We also considered in depth the positive impact on customer satisfaction, automation, scalability, and the overall quality of the learning journey, which is what is most valuable to us.

Part 2: Development, Data, and Technical Execution

Q5. What technology stack or core platform did you select for the new LMS, and what were the decisive factors behind that choice?

A: For the new LMS, we selected a modern, flexible tech stack that allows us to scale, integrate new features quickly, and deliver a great user experience. The decisive factors were reliability, security, and the ability to build custom functionalities without being limited by predefined structures. This was essential for creating that bespoke learning ecosystem we envisioned.

Q6. Could you elaborate on the process of data migration, specifically, how you ensured the secure and accurate transfer of historical user data, course progress, and certification records?

A: From the very start, ensuring data security and accuracy was our top priority. We planned the migration carefully, including multiple checkpoints. At the same time, instead of transferring old certificates and course progress, we took this as an opportunity to give our learners a clean start.

This allows us to currently conduct a thorough Pilot Program (Beta testing) with a fresh database, ensuring accurate tracking and full integrity of the new system's data before the full migration rollout on March 2, 2026.

It is important to note that we will keep the old platform live until all delegates have completed their requested courses and had the opportunity to safely store their certificates. (The old platform is expected to be useable until Mid-2027).

Q7. What steps were taken to ensure the new platform is scalable enough to handle Sofema Online's anticipated future growth in student enrollment and course catalog size?

A: From the start, we built the new platform with growth in mind. (During 2025, we will enrolled over 40,000 delegates in Sofema Online Courses.) Every decision was made mindful of the need to ensure it can adapt as Sofema Online expands. Whether that means more students, more courses, or new ways of learning. Our focus was on creating a system that remains reliable and engaging, no matter how much the platform evolves in the future.

Q8. How does the new LMS improve upon the integration capabilities with other essential business tools (e.g., CRM, accounting software, marketing platforms)?

A: Everything behind the scenes is designed to make the experience easier, faster, and more reliable. The custom build allows for seamless API integration with our core business tools. This level of connectivity means better data flow, reduced manual work, and ultimately, a more efficient operation that translates directly into high-quality service for professionals.

Part 3: User Experience and Innovation

Q9. What are the three most significant improvements a Sofema Online student will notice immediately when using the new platform?

A: As an ongoing learner myself, the three improvements I am most excited about are the intuitive and easy navigation, which makes moving through courses much simpler; the student dashboards, where learners can get all the information they need in one place; and third, the certificate checker, which allows students and employers to quickly verify and access their achievements.

Q10. How will the new LMS enhance Sofema Online's ability to create new, innovative course formats (e.g., blended learning, gamification, advanced interactive elements)?

A: Our team of instructional designers are always exploring the latest trends in online learning. With the new platform, we now have the flexibility to turn those ideas into reality. We now have the capacity to easily embed new interactive elements and structures, creating courses that make learning regulatory requirements (often seen as a mandatory and tedious task) a much more engaging and even enjoyable experience for our students.

Q11. How does this new LMS support Sofema Online’s marketing strategy related to better data management, analytics, or personalized user journeys?

A: By upgrading the way we track learning, we can see not just which courses students complete, but how they interact with the system and the materials. It's like moving from a simple checklist to a full picture of each learner's journey. This deeper insight will allow us to offer more personalised content, relevant recommendations, and timely updates, which will help us communicate the right opportunities to the right people at the right time.

Part 4: Rollout and Future Vision

Q12. What were the biggest unexpected challenges the development team faced during the rollout and transition to the new system?

A: The biggest challenge for the development team was understanding the logic behind all of our endless ideas - we constantly pushed the boundaries of what we wanted the system to do. I am happy to share they handled it fantastically, and I'm really grateful for their dedication. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank them, as well as our consultants and service providers, for their support, expertise, and commitment throughout the process.

Q13. In terms of training and support, what resources were put in place for both existing and new users to ensure a smooth transition to the new LMS interface?

A: Whilst we believe no special training will be needed, as the new LMS is intentionally intuitive and easy to use. To support all users during this transition and after the launch, we have recently extended our support hours from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM EET to make sure every question is answered promptly. We will be also providing additional channels for users to reach out if they encounter any issues, so help is always available when needed.

Q14. Looking ahead, what is the long-term vision for the new LMS? Are there specific features or phases planned for the next 12-24 months?

A: We are currently laser-focused on finalizing our Pilot Program and preparing for the full launch on March 2, 2026. What I can say is that this platform is not an endpoint; it's the foundation for our next era. The subsequent 12-24 months will bring even more ways for learners to enjoy, interact with, and get the most out of their courses and partnership with us - but I am not spilling the beans just yet.