Jetstar launches innovative new cadet pilot training programme

Low fares leader Jetstar has launched a ground-breaking new cadet pilot training programme in New Zealand and Australia tailored to deliver well trained pilots into a career flying jet aircraft and help support the airline’s expanding pan Asian operations.

The Jetstar Cadet Pilot Training Programme has been developed in partnership with two of the world’s leading pilot training organisations, CTC Aviation Group plc based in Hamilton, New Zealand and Oxford Aviation Academy Group based in Moorabbin (Melbourne).

The partnership represents a major investment by Jetstar, one of the Asia Pacific’s fastest growing carriers, in the region’s future generation of highly trained airline pilots.

The programme will offer successful applicants – to number up to 70 in its first year – on completion a career development path into Jetstar as an Airbus A320 pilot.

The Jetstar Cadet Pilot Training Programme, which will accept its first intake of candidates in July 2010, will also make a pilot career far more accessible and affordable to skilled individuals through two distinct entry streams:
• Advanced Cadet Programme (3 months): Successful candidates will hold a commercial pilots licence which is the basic qualification for all professional pilots;
• Ab-initio Cadet Programme (18 months): Successful candidates may have limited or no flying experience, but meet Jetstar’s requirements for aptitude, quality and safety to enter a comprehensive training and development programme.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the breakthrough new programme and partnership with these leading pilot training suppliers would complement Jetstar’s other pilot recruitment activity and would supply a significant number of its future requirements for pilots.

“We anticipate up to 20,000 applications for this attractive new programme which seeks to remove some of the traditional barriers to becoming an airline pilot, demonstrating the high demand to enter this highly skilled and sought-after profession,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Both CTC Aviation Group and Oxford Aviation Academy have worked with dozens of the world’s leading airlines across Europe, the Middle East and Asia with similar cadet pilot training programmes, and will introduce this proven model to the Australia Pacific region for the first time.

“Through our programme, becoming a pilot need no longer be a pipe-dream for aspiring aviators as this key initiative provides a unique pathway for young people to enter commercial flying.

“The programme’s establishment also represents a fresh investment by Jetstar in the region’s aviation industry to further grow and develop the skills and capabilities of a highly-skilled workforce.”

Mr Buchanan said Jetstar and CTC see the programme as a significant investment in the local economy and community.

“The programme will provide greater opportunities for young New Zealanders to enter a highly skilled profession, contribute to the high-tech skill base of the country, and enhance the resources for the continued development of New Zealand’s transport infrastructure.”

The programme will also support Jetstar’s growth as a Pan Asian airline with its fleet planned to move beyond 100 aircraft over the next five years.

CTC Aviation Group Chairman Captain Chris Clarke said: "CTC is delighted to be chosen by Jetstar to partner in this great opportunity for young men and women to enter the airline profession.

“We are sure that for Jetstar this will prove to be one of the most successful career development programmes in the region and it is certainly going to inspire and facilitate new entrants into the airline pilot profession. It is a further demonstration of Jetstar's innovative and progressive culture.

“This highly valued partnership in the Australasian region reflects CTC's wide experience across the globe in the provision of the highest quality of training – adding to the many thousands of pilots that CTC has trained for airlines worldwide,” Captain Clarke said.

Oxford Aviation Academy Group Managing Director Anthony Petteford said: “We are honoured to be invited to partner with Jetstar to support innovation and encourage greater diversity of enrolment into airline pilot training throughout Australia and Asia Pacific.”

Jetstar Chief Pilot Captain Mark Rindfleish said Jetstar’s Cadet Pilot Training Programme would allow candidates to enter from Australia, New Zealand, and also Singapore and Vietnam, where Jetstar has airline operations based.

“Jetstar will offer a first in our region by equipping and fully qualifying graduates of our Cadet Pilot Training Programme to fly as a Jetstar pilot as part of our experienced pilot group.

“This is a big positive for our industry which we believe enhances the opportunities for people wanting a commercial aviation career by more effectively tapping into other talent pools, whilst supporting existing pilot training initiatives in our region,” Captain Rindfleish said.

The initial intake is now open with positions to be equally shared through both CTC and Oxford Aviation Academy over the initial years of the programme.

Cadet applications can now be made directly through Jetstar.com.

 

BACKGROUND
About CTC Aviation Group
CTC is a global leader in aviation training and management solutions, training between 1200 -1900 aircrew for more than 50 global airlines each year.

CTC Aviation Group’s UK and NZ based Crew Training Centres house state-of-the-art Airbus and Boeing simulators, hi-tech Computer Based Training facilities and a fleet of the latest, modern technology training aircraft to support its ab-initio training programme – CTC Wings; all supported by one of the most experienced teams of Training Captains and Instructors worldwide.

CTC Wings is a unique, comprehensive programme of developmental training for airline pilots. The CTC Wings Cadet route takes individuals with no flying experience all the way to the right hand seat of a commercial airliner in approximately two years.

CTC FlexiCrew is an initiative to provide flexible yet quality resourcing solutions for both the airline industry and qualified pilots, including experienced instructors and examiners.

About Oxford Aviation Academy (OAA)
OAA is one of the world’s leading independent providers of innovative airline pilot, cabin crew, maintenance training and aviation resourcing services, and is unique in its ability to offer a fully integrated global flight crew supply chain.

With locations in Beijing, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hong Kong, London (Gatwick), London (Heathrow), Manchester, Melbourne, Oslo, Oxford, Phoenix, Shannon, Stockholm and Tokyo, OAA is able to provide integrated “Total Training Solutions” tailored to meet the needs of any airline worldwide.

OAA operates 105 training aircraft, 64 simulators and 10 training centres, delivering an innovative and comprehensive portfolio of aviation training courses. OAA’s 3 ab initio airline pilot training schools are amongst the world’s most respected and have trained over 26,000 professional pilots during the past 50 years. OAA is owned by STAR Capital Partners and the GE Corporation.

About the Jetstar Cadet Pilot Training Programme
The Jetstar Cadet Pilot Programme will comprise two distinct streams: an Advanced Cadet Programme and an Ab-initio Cadet Programme. Once completing either programme, graduates will be employed by Jetstar for the airline’s fleet of A320 aircraft.

• Advanced Cadet Programme: Successful candidates will hold a commercial pilot licence. As part of an intensive three month programme, candidates will to be trained specifically in Jetstar procedures and standards with the specific target of entering the airline’s workforce as a Jetstar A320 pilot upon graduation;
• Ab-initio Cadet Programme: Successful candidates may have limited or no flying experience, but meet Jetstar’s rigorous requirements for aptitude, quality and safety. Candidates will enter a comprehensive training and learning programme rigorous in order to become fully qualified with the highest of proficiencies as a Jetstar A320 pilot upon graduation.

More detailed information is available in the “Careers” section at Jetstar.com

When does the programme start?
The first intake of cadets will take place in July 2010 and applications are now open for ongoing recruitment over the next 12 months for first year of cadets.

How can I apply?
Applicants can now apply via Jetstar.com via the “Careers” link.