AELO Swiss Academy Details 18-Month SkyAlps MPL Program with Guaranteed First Officer Placement

Switzerland & Italy – Swiss Approved Training Organisation AELO Swiss Academy has highlighted its 18-month Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) program developed with Italian regional airline SkyAlps, offering aspiring pilots a structured pathway towards a permanent First Officer position operating the De Havilland Dash 8 Q400. The airline-linked program combines ab initio pilot training, multi-crew instruction and aircraft type rating preparation, providing a defined progression from flight school to regional airline operations.

• The SkyAlps MPL program comprises 240 flight training hours and 1,000 hours of classroom instruction over an advertised 18-month period. The training includes aircraft handling, instrument flying, multi-crew operations and airline-specific procedures.
• AELO operates the program from its primary training base at Locarno Airport, Switzerland, supported by a satellite base at Lugano Airport. The academy advertises April and October course intakes, with training exposure across Switzerland, Italy and Germany.
• According to AELO, trainees who successfully complete the program and meet the airline's applicable requirements are guaranteed a permanent First Officer employment contract with SkyAlps. The arrangement provides an airline-linked recruitment pathway rather than relying on graduates independently securing their first commercial flying position.
• The admission process includes an initial CV assessment, online application, AON aptitude assessments, personal interview and medical examination. Candidates are assessed for their suitability to undertake professional pilot training and progress into airline operations.
• The program is marketed as a comprehensive training package covering flight and theoretical instruction, the Dash 8 Q400 type rating, accommodation for 18 months, transport, applicable health insurance arrangements, medical examinations, theoretical knowledge examination fees and training materials.
• AFM previously reported that AELO Swiss Academy's airline-linked training activities included an MPL partnership with SkyAlps as of September 2026. The academy also reported more than 150 ATPL student enrolments during 2026 and expansion of its training fleet to 34 aircraft, supporting increased training activity across its operating bases.
• The MPL syllabus comprises four phases: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Type Rating. The Advanced phase includes multi-crew coordination, communication, decision-making and Line-Oriented Flight Training (LOFT), followed by Dash 8 Q400 aircraft-specific training. The program also incorporates Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) certification and Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (AUPRT), including aerobatic training using an Extra 200 aircraft.

Statements

• “The SkyAlps MPL Program with AELO Swiss Academy was designed to close the gap between flight school and the flight deck. Students know from day one that a structured path toward a First Officer role awaits them, which allows them to focus fully on developing both the technical and crew coordination skills that regional airline operations demand,” said Jaime Ordovas, Business Development Director at AELO Swiss Academy.
• "Regional aviation requires pilots who are comfortable across multiple countries and conditions, and that is what the Dash 8 Q400 training environment delivers. By bringing together modern aircraft, international flying exposure, and a defined route to employment, the program supports a measured and thorough preparation for a career in the cockpit," said Diego Paris, Head of Admissions at AELO Swiss Academy. 

About AELO Swiss Academy
AELO Swiss Academy is the trading name of Aero Locarno SA, a Swiss Approved Training Organisation headquartered in Gordola, Switzerland, operating under Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation approval CH.ATO.0311 and providing professional pilot training from Locarno Airport. The academy reported a fleet of 34 training aircraft during 2026, including Diamond DA20, DA40 and DA42 aircraft and Tecnam P2008 trainers, with additional training operations at Lugano and Cuneo airports.

About SkyAlps
SkyAlps is an Italian regional airline headquartered in Bolzano, Italy, established in 2019 and operating scheduled passenger services across European destinations using De Havilland Dash 8 Q400 turboprop aircraft. The airline began commercial operations in June 2021 and obtained its own Air Operator Certificate in January 2023.

Source: AELO Swiss Academy