Market Intelligence: -Airline Hiring

European Flag Carrier Flight Training Academy Welcomes Batch of 15 Cadets from Latvia, Finland, France, Switzerland and Italy

Riga, Latvia, On November 6, 2023 seven students graduated from the Latvian national airline’s airBaltic Pilot Academy, receiving a commercial pilot license upon completion of the full-time airline transport pilot program. In addition, already the 20th group of 15 students began their professional pilot studies. Moreover, it is important to emphasize, that Mr. Kaspars Briškens, the Transport Minister of the Republic of Latvia, complimented the event with his presence.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic: “We are proud of the newest graduates the Pilot Academy. A number of them will commence additional training this month, preparing to soon join the airBaltic team. Having well-trained personnel is a crucial element for the success of any airline. Additionally, we extend our congratulations to the young and motivated students of the 20th group, who embarked on their educational journey today.”

The latest graduates represent countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and the Netherlands. The 20th group represents Latvia, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Italy.

There are 110 active students at the airBaltic Pilot Academy at the moment. Most of them are from Baltic countries, however, there are students also from other EU countries such as Germany, France, Finland, Spain and Italy among others. Overall, more than 10% of airBaltic Pilot Academy students are female. As for now, 95 students, after graduating, have joined airBaltic.

Since October 2023, airBaltic Pilot Academy has improved the payment structure for its commercial pilot study program. As of now, after successfully passing the company’s assessment, airBaltic will loan most of the study fee.

Students of the airBaltic Pilot Academy will now have to cover the costs of ATPL theory studies and 45 flight hours, costing EUR 15 000. After passing airBaltic pilot assessment and becoming an employee of the company, the airline will provide financing (loan) for the rest of the studies.

About airBaltic

airBaltic (Air Baltic Corporation AS) is a joint stock company that was established in 1995. Its primary shareholder is the Latvian state, which holds 97.97% of the stock, while the rest of the shareholders hold 2.03%. airBaltic offers connections to more than 70 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Caucasus region. Over the last 28 years airBaltic has developed as a strong and internationally respected airline, which employs more than 2 400 employees. The airBaltic fleet consists of 44 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, making it one of the youngest fleets in Europe. The airline has received several international awards for excellence, innovative services and significant achievements. Skytrax has awarded airBaltic two years in a row as the best airline in its region. Additionally, in 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) awarded airBaltic the Diversity and Inclusion Team Award. In 2023 the airline received the APEX Passenger Choice Award of Best Cabin Service in Europe.

About airBalticTraining

airBalticTraining, a subsidiary of airBaltic, is a training facility offering a wide range of aviation training services in its modern and purpose-built training centre in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 2010 and since then each year provides training to approximately 3 000 professionals from across the world – more than 1 500 pilots, almost 1 000 cabin crew members and several hundred of ground handlers, cargo agents, security personnel and others.

Source: airBaltic
Photo Credit: airBaltic (shown as meta image)

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Emirates Flight Training Academy Expands Pilot Pipeline Through Additional Training Aircraft and Offering Training to Aspiring Pilots from Across the World

Dubai, United Arab Emirates based Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA), the Emirates Airline owned flight raining organisation, currently has 290 cadets in training – 23 nationalities, 27 women – and there are over 120 graduates who’re now flying full-time for Emirates.

EFTA, which was started with a focus on the national cadet pilot programme for Emirates, now offers their world-class training to cadets from all over the globe. Besides the staggering success of its graduates – who’ve all been snapped up by Emirates after a stringent recruitment process – the academy is flying high on the integration of three brand-new Diamond aircraft into its training programme.

Although the majority are students who’ve recently graduated from high school, the cadets range in age from 17 to 26 years. In fact, an Emirates cabin crew is now a cadet at EFTA, having met the academy’s strict eligibility criteria.

Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Divisional Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy, said; “EFTA is fully focused on establishing a reliable stream of pilots for the aviation industry, which has been staring at scarcity in the short to the long term, and giving aspiring cadets a visionary academy based in an iconic and one of the safest cities that is also one of the largest aviation hubs on the planet. We offer one of the most sophisticated cadet training programmes, delivered by our 50+ highly skilled instructors, and backed by the exceptional standards and governance set by Emirates, the world’s largest international airline. It’s inspiring to see the camaraderie and collaboration among our cadets as they graduate real-world ready with the highest levels of skills and competencies required by commercial pilots.”

EFTA’s cadets now also fly the Diamond DA42-VI light piston twin-engine aircraft, which has successfully introduced multi-engine piston training at the academy. This means cadets train on three different aircraft types – single-engine, twin-engine and multi-engine light jets. This is a rarity among flight training academies that generally train cadets on just one or two aircraft types.

At the Dubai Airshow, EFTA will be showcasing its Diamond DA42-VI and Cirrus SR22 aircraft with instructors on hand to share information about the Academy’s fleet and cadet training programme.

Flight deck careers have seen a huge resurgence post pandemic and are riding another wave of popularity. Salaries have increased, airlines are fast tracking career paths and expanding at a phenomenal rate, aircraft are more sophisticated, demand for travel is booming – all these and more have made aviation a sought-after career. According to Oliver Wyman’s latest research, the gap between supply and demand of pilots is currently about 17,000 and it will increase to 24,000 in 2026.

Emirates launched EFTA in 2017 to train UAE nationals and international students with no previous knowledge of flying. All graduates have the unique opportunity to go through Emirates’ recruitment process.

The Academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 29 training aircraft – 22 x Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston, 4 x Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jet, and 3 x Diamond DA42-VI light piston twin-engine aircraft.

EFTA’s state-of-the-art facility, which is spread over 12.5 million sq.ft. (1.2 million sq.m) equivalent to 200 football pitches, currently has 36 modern classrooms, 6 full motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800m runway. Cadets live on campus in fully furnished, individual studio flats with an enviable range of recreational facilities, social activities and top-notch dining.

Ground school (52 weeks): All 36 classrooms are equipped with two 86” touchscreens, running bespoke training software created specifically for EFTA. Cadets undergo at least 1,100 hours of ground-based training, and access the material via their own devices, which are digitally interconnected, creating an interactive training environment.

Flying Phase (52 weeks, 272 hours): Cadets train on simulators and the three types of training aircraft.

Here’s what two EFTA graduates, currently Emirates’ Cadet Pilots, had to say:

Thomas Saunders, Cadet Pilot at Emirates, Australian national; “From a very young age, I’ve been fascinated by how these big machines could stay in the sky, and that has led me down the most amazing career path. Emirates Flight Training Academy is a great route to work at the best airline in the world. I also felt that an airline that has such sky-high standards and is so quality conscious will quite naturally impart the best training and mentorship in aviation. My instincts were proved right. Our cadet community at EFTA is very tight knit and collaborative. The training gets the best out of us and sets us on our way to a long, enjoyable and successful career. The facilities and infrastructure are absolutely stunning, and everything you need is right at your doorstep. My first flight was the most surreal feeling. It was just me at the controls, nature at its best, the incredible Dubai landscape below me – it’s something I had only dreamed of. I advise potential cadets considering a career in aviation to keep at it, enjoy the turbulence, and twists and turns as the experience builds character, and the outcome is way better than you can ever imagine!”

Jordan Engeler – Cadet Pilot at Emirates – Australian national; “I’ve always had a deep fascination for the aviation industry and the sense of freedom it offers. The idea of being in control of a sophisticated aircraft, navigating the skies, and experiencing the world from a unique perspective was incredibly appealing to me. World class training facilities, experienced and supportive instructors, and a diverse and inclusive community were the top three things I loved about EFTA. Emirates is renowned for its exceptional commitment to safety, innovation, and excellence in the aviation industry. EFTA shares these values and offers a world-class training programme that aligned perfectly with my aspirations to become a highly skilled pilot. EFTA’s state-of-the-art facilities, modern fleet of aircraft, and experienced instructors made it an ideal environment for me to learn and thrive. The feeling of my first solo flight was extremely exhilarating. As I accelerated down the runway, there was a mix of nervousness and excitement, but as the wheels left the ground, it was like a dream come true. I could feel the aircraft responding to my inputs, and the realisation that I was solely responsible for this flight was both empowering and humbling.”

Source: Emirates
Photo Credit: Emirates

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Global Pilot Training Group CAE and Canadian Airline Announce Scholarship for 4 Aspiring Pilots

Air Canada and CAE, two Montreal-based global aviation companies, marked the fifth anniversary of the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship and announced that applications for the 2024 edition of the Scholarship are now open.

Up to eight young Canadian women studying to become commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers will be awarded scholarships to pursue their training in 2024. Of the eight, four recipients training to be commercial pilots will join the CAE Women in Flight program as ambassadors.

“As this scholarship goes into its fifth year, it is incredibly gratifying to see the accomplishments of previous recipients. These young women have realized their dreams and are soaring high in all regions of Canada. From the cockpit of a 737 to a flight instructor job, these scholarship recipients are wonderful role models. I am so proud of Air Canada and CAE’s support for Canadian women in aviation,” said Judy Cameron, Boeing 777 Captain at Air Canada (retired), and Director, Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

“It makes me, and everyone at Air Canada, extremely proud to see the success of many of our past recipients of the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship. Already, some have achieved their goals of becoming commercial pilots or Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and I look forward to seeing their careers progress. And the future is bright not only for them, but the next group of recipients as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of this wonderful scholarship named after Air Canada’s first female pilot. Congratulations to all,” said Murray Strom, Senior Vice President, Flight Operations and Maintenance at Air Canada.

“We are proud to help fund the training of our four Women in Flight ambassadors and look forward to seeing all eight scholarship recipients follow in Captain Judy Cameron’s footsteps and pursue a career in aviation at a critical time. CAE forecasts a need for 63,000 commercial pilots in North America over the next 10 years, so we have to broaden the appeal of a career in aviation and support underrepresented groups, including women, who currently represent only five percent of pilots. Not only will these deserving recipients have the chance to follow their chosen career paths, but they will also become role models to the young women who will become the next generation of aviation professionals,” said Michel Azar-Hmouda, CAE’s Division President, Commercial Aviation Training.

The annual Captain Judy Cameron Scholarships, established in honour of Air Canada’s first female pilot to help foster the next generation of women following in her trailblazing footsteps, are awarded in conjunction with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

The Captain Judy Cameron scholarships were launched in 2019 and initially awarded to four recipients. Since 2023, Air Canada and CAE have joined forces to double the number of recipients and award eight scholarships to deserving women.

Scholarship applications open on Nov. 1, 2023 here.

About Judy Cameron

Judy Cameron became the first female pilot hired by Air Canada, Canada’s largest airline, in April 1978 at the age of 23. She was the first woman to graduate from Selkirk College’s Aviation Technology Program in 1975. Throughout her flying career of 40 years and over 23,000 hours, she has flown the DC-3, Twin Otter, Hawker Siddeley 748, DC-9, Lockheed 1011, Airbus 320, Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 to the far corners of the world. She became a captain in 1997 and in 2010, she became the first female captain in Canada of a Boeing 777, the largest aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet. She retired in 2015, received the Elsie MacGill Northern Lights award in the Flight Operations category that year, and in 2016 she was chosen by the 99s (International Organization of Women Pilots) to be on its Canadian postage stamp. Today, Captain Cameron continues her volunteer work mentoring and supporting the next generation of female pilots with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

Air Canada proudly launched the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship in her honour in 2019.

About CAE Women in Flight Ambassador Program

CAE’s Women in Flight Ambassador program is helping create a movement to encourage young girls and women to dream big and have no limits. As only five percent of pilots worldwide are women, this program is geared to show women that they too can reach for the sky. The goal of the program is to build a community of ambassadors who demonstrate leadership skills, active involvement in their communities, perseverance, who are passionate about aviation, and inspire women to join the pilot profession. Launched in 2018, the Women in Flight Ambassador program was expanded in July 2022 to include partnerships with more airline customers to increase the number of scholarships given. This is a co-branded program in which CAE is partnering with airline customers globally to create women pilot ambassadors via scholarships ranging from partially funded to fully funded pilot training.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada aims to achieve an ambitious net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada and the OTCQX in the US.

About CAE

At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, airlines, defence and security forces and healthcare practitioners to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with more than 13,000 employees in approximately 250 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight, mission and medical simulators and training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: Air Canada
Photo Credit: Air Canada

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Greek Airline and Partner Flight School Open New Round of Pilot Training Scholarship Program for 40 Aspiring Pilots

One of Greece’s largest aviation training organisations and flight schools Egnatia Aviation announces that its partnership with Greek airline Aegean Group continues to strengthen. The new round of the AEGEAN Pilot Training Scholarship Program has started.

Continuing the successful pilot aspiring scholarship program that began in 2018 and was extended for three more years last year, Egnatia Aviation and Aegean Group are offering young people the opportunity to obtain an Integrated Commercial Pilot License with MCC and begin their careers as aircraft pilots in the fleet of AEGEAN and Olympic Air.

The new cycle of the Pilot Scholarship Program for the next 40 candidates which started on 23 October 2023 is addressed to Greek and Cypriot nationals and provides for theoretical and flight training in aircraft and flight simulators exclusively at the training facilities, based in Athens, and Egnatia Aviation, based in Kavala. The studies are full-time with a duration of 17 to 19 months and a start date of studies on March 4, 2024.

To participate in the Program, candidates must meet the following basic conditions:

  • Have Greek or Cypriot citizenship.
  • To have been born after January 1, 1995.
  • To be at least a high school diploma holder.
  • To know the Greek and English languages ​​perfectly. The certification of the level of the English language will take place during the evaluation process.

Training in schools lasts 17 to 19 months.

It includes theoretical training according to European Legislation, lasting approximately 9 months, and flight training in aircraft and flight simulators, lasting approximately 7 – 8 months. Theoretical and flight training will alternate during the study period, depending on the subject.

The application period for the Program will end on January 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Source: Egnatia Aviation
Photo Credit: Aegean (shown as meta image)

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Global Pilot Training Solution Provider, L3Harris Commercial Aviation, to Welcome Ryanair Pilots for the Winter Season of Training

United Kingdom based full flight simulator training center of L3Harris Commercial Aviation announced that in November 2023, Ryanair pilots will begin their winter season of training in one of L3Harris’ Boeing 737 RealitySeven Full Flight Simulators at its London facility.

Source: L3Harris Commercial Aviation
Photo Credit: L3Harris Commercial Aviation (shown as meta image)

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