According to Boeing’s 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook, which was released on February 2, 2026, the region is expected to experience significant growth in both fleet size and air traffic, indicating a strong demand for regional aviation training.

The region’s aviation industry is facing a surge in workforce demand, with Boeing projecting the need for approximately 45,000 pilots, 45,000 technicians, and 51,000 cabin crew.

At the same time, the aviation services sector is set to expand dramatically, with more than $195 billion in projected revenue. 

The manufacturer said that opportunities will span maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), digital services, and training, offering a major boost to industry players and supporting infrastructure alike.

“As air travel becomes more integral to how people and goods move in India and South Asia, airlines will strengthen networks, scale fleets, and invest in services and technical personnel to support long-term growth,” said Ashwin Naidu, Boeing Managing Director of Commercial Marketing, Eurasia and Indian Subcontinent.

Worldwide aviation job outlook

The aviation industry is getting ready for significant growth over the next two decades. 

Between 2025 and 2044, the global demand for aviation workers is expected to rise to 2.37 million new jobs. This total includes about 660,000 pilots, 710,000 technicians, and one million cabin crew members worldwide.

North America is expected to need 435,000 new workers, which includes 119,000 pilots and 193,000 cabin crew. 

Eurasia leads in overall numbers, with 550,000 new workers, including 149,000 pilots and 236,000 cabin crew. 

China and Southeast Asia are also key growth areas, offering hundreds of thousands of new jobs for pilots, technicians, and cabin crew. 

There is also smaller but noteworthy growth anticipated in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Oceania.

What’s more, even if this frantic rate of growth slows, the industry must still contend with the need to replace nearly one-third of commercial pilots, who are expected to retire or leave their posts over the course of the next decade.  

These trends underscore how important it is for the world’s major airlines to have well-resourced and technologically advanced in-house training organizations. Lufthansa Aviation Training plays such a role at the eponymous airline group, keeping current staff up to date with best practices and standards, while continuing to nurture a constant talent pipeline.  

The airline group took AeroTime behind the scenes of one of its major centers in Opfikon, Switzerland, located near to Zürich-Kloten International Airport (ZRH). It is here, in a state-of-the-art facility which opened in 2019 as a replacement for a much smaller one located in the same area, that pilots and crew for SWISS and Edelweiss undergo most of their training. 

The Zürich center is capable of training crews in the handling of all aircraft currently in the SWISS and Edelweiss Air fleets and serves other operators. This includes Swiss air rescue and medical transport operator REGA, for which it operates Bombardier Challenger 650 and helicopter simulators.  

The center is equipped to handle virtually any training scenario, from emergency procedures to inflight service protocols. It also features 10 full flight simulators, including for the Airbus A350, the latest arrival to SWISS’ fleet, as well as three Flight Navigation Procedural Training (FNPT) machines, one of which is a mixed reality  trainer, four Integrated Procedures Trainer (IPT), and one Flight Training Device (FTD), a fix base full size replica of the flight deck of an Airbus A320. 

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Beyond traditional flight training, Lufthansa Aviation Training has pioneered digital innovation with mAIntor, an AI-powered “maintenance mentor” that exemplifies the company’s commitment to leveraging technology.  

In a perfect example of intrapreneurship, professionals at the center have developed mAIntor, a sophisticated chatbot that provides instant access and sorts through the airline’s vast documentation repository, which comprises more than 1.2 million pages of documentation.  

Jonas Stäuble,  Head of Training Devices & Infrastructure at Lufthansa Aviation Training, explained how this digital tool was developed over the last two and a half years as an internal, bottom-up initiative when the firm’s engineers were looking for ways to shorten the technically caused training interruptions on the simulators by providing quick answers to complex technical questions that require extensive research during troubleshooting. 

He explained: “Earlier, if a pilot had a technical issue during training, let’s say a display was flickering during approach or something like that, he would enter a case in our MRO platform and, afterwards, an engineer would investigate and try to fix it.”  

The problem? This type of report can pile up quickly. When you have a library of some 240,000 such cases, the chances are that a specific issue has already been solved by someone else.  

“If you have got to search out these 1.2 million pages in our documentation library, it is going to be time consuming,” said Stäuble.  

The idea to create an AI-powered tool came from a young engineer in Stäuble’s team. 

“That’s the beauty of our department,” he said. “We have a lot of smart guys, and they can  write software code. They are able to create things on their own.”  

“mAIntor is a chat bot, which has been fed all our documentation. I know it might not sound so innovative, but in our regulated aviation world it’s quite an advance,” he continued. “This is because we have to make sure that all our documents are protected, nothing can be left out, and wrong information is not admissible.  We have to make sure everything is within our protected bubble.” 

This includes MRO maintenance documentation, including all previously opened cases and work orders and their solutions. The system is currently updated daily, during the night, although Stäuble’s team is already working on an upgrade that would enable much faster updates. 

“Every day, new ideas are coming up,” Stäuble said before adding that the idea is to be able to learn from what happened during the last shift.  

“We have three daily shifts and, as you can imagine, they’re all human,” he continued. “Some of them are better than others in transferring information in a verbal way. The idea is to be able to have a summary of what happened in the last couple of hours with a single click.” 

Access to mAIntor will be further facilitated by enabling tablet access and integrating data from across Lufthansa Aviation Training with the idea of deploying it to the other sites. In fact, this is not the first time an MRO digital tool has been created in Switzerland and later adopted by the ensemble of the Lufthansa Group and even external parties. 

Lufthansa-owned AMOS (Aircraft Maintenance and Operations System), a commercially available industry-leading aviation maintenance management system, which was originally developed by Crossair, a subsidiary of the then Swiss flag carrier Swissair, which later became SWISS, before being acquired and fully integrated into the Lufthansa Group. 

Interestingly, AMOS is one of the key sources from which mAIntor is fed data. If mAIntor consolidates in its role, it may even be “productized” and commercialized, or at least this is Stäuble’s vision when it comes to the tool’s potential. 

As the Zürich team continues to refine its capabilities, for SWISS technicians seeking exact procedural details or troubleshooting guidance, mAIntor already represents a significant leap forward in how maintenance knowledge is accessed and applied. 

Excellence beyond aviation 

Not all the training center’s commercial projects are so technology intensive. Interestingly, the Swiss branch of Lufthansa Aviation Training is taking its aviation expertise to other industries, such as healthcare, catering, and hospitality, which similarly rely on strict procedural protocols and high service standards. 

“We have several clinics coming here for human factors training. Learning about non-hierarchical intra-teamwork.” Stäuble said. “What does this mean? The way things are done in a cockpit can also be of use in the operating room, for example, between surgeons and nurses.”  

He continued: “Many incidents originate from communication problems. We have a lot of knowledge in that area. Others, like a well-known Swiss caterer, come here, for example, to provide appearance training for their staff, things like learning how to best wear uniforms.”  

For Stäuble and his team, this 24/7 operation, which trains approximately 12,000 people annually, is not just about maintaining standards, it is also about pro-actively adopting and perfecting technology and methodologies that contribute to disseminating knowledge across and beyond the industry. 

A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) lays out why these numbers don’t add up. The obvious answer is that interest alone does not translate into certified controllers, and the FAA’s hiring and training pipeline remains slow, restrictive and unforgiving. But the story runs deeper than that.

According to the GAO, flight capacity relying on the US air traffic control system has increased by about 10% over the past decade. Staffing, however, has moved in the opposite direction, causing controller shortages at many critical facilities. The pressure became especially visible in 2025, when delays and staffing constraints drew widespread public attention, particularly during the US government shutdown in October. 
 
The GAO pointed to several staffing disruptions that contributed to the current issues. Government shutdowns in 2013, and again in 2018-2019, froze hiring and training. The COVID-19 pandemic suspended controller training entirely for four months, and then allowed only limited capacity for nearly two years. At the same time, retirements and resignations rose between 2019 and 2024, just as travel demand rebounded. 

Even under normal conditions, the path to becoming a certified controller is long and arduous. All applicants must pass an aptitude exam, medical screening and security background checks before receiving an offer. Most then attend a four- to six-month course at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, followed by years of on-the-job training. Full certification can take up to six years. 

The result is extreme attrition. GAO estimates that only about 2% of applicants ultimately become certified controllers or remain in training. Of more than 100,000 applicants analyzed in one hiring cycle, just over 2,000 made it through the process. 

Additional constraints

What the GAO report does not emphasize, however, is how much the applicant pool is constrained before the process even begins. The FAA limits first-time controller hires to applicants under age 31, and mandates retirement at age 56. That rule alone excludes large numbers of otherwise qualified candidates, including mid-career professionals, military veterans transitioning later in life, and pilots or engineers seeking a second career. 

The FAA has long defended the age restriction by citing the cognitive demands of the job and the time required to justify training costs. But critics argue that the rule sharply narrows the pool at a time when the agency can least afford it. Other countries operate air traffic control systems with more flexible age policies, and advances in automation and decision-support tools have changed how controllers manage workload. 

In its report, the GAO focuses primarily on process improvements rather than policy changes to help fix the problem. The agency recommends streamlining the hiring pipeline, improving applicant communication, and better analyzing internal data to understand when and why candidates drop out. The GAO also found that aptitude test scores may correlate with long-term success, suggesting the FAA could refine screening rather than relying on blunt filters later in the process. 

The FAA has already taken steps to speed hiring, including hosting pre-employment events that allow candidates to complete multiple requirements at once. Nevertheless, the GAO found many applicants struggle to track their status or understand the next steps, increasing the chance that they might abandon the process or accept other jobs. 

The controller shortage, GAO concludes, is not the result of a lack of interest. It is the product of a rigid system built for a bygone era, where training timelines, hiring limits and workforce rules have not kept pace with demand.

The announcement comes as the company is in the midst of splitting into three distinct publicly listed entities, a move that was initiated nine months ago in February 2025. Under this plan, Honeywell’s Automation, Aerospace, and Advanced Material divisions will each become an independent business. 

In a statement issued on November 3, 2025, the company also mentioned that Craig Arnold has been chosen to be the Chairman of the Honeywell Aerospace Board of Directors. 

Arnold will take on his new position after the planned separation of Honeywell Aerospace from its parent company. In the meantime, he will join Honeywell’s Board of Directors immediately. 

“Together, Jim and Craig bring extensive leadership experience and complementary industry expertise across aerospace and industrial operations that make them the ideal fit to lead Honeywell Aerospace in this new chapter,” said Vimal Kapur, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell.  

Currier has been the President and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies since 2023. Before that, he worked for nearly 20 years in senior positions worldwide at Honeywell. Under his guidance, the Aerospace Technologies division has strengthened its position as a leading aerospace and defense supplier. 

Arnold has more than 20 years of experience in senior leadership positions within the industrial and technology sectors. Most recently, he was the Chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation.  

He also spent more than 20 years at General Electric, where he held international leadership roles in various sectors. Currently, he is the lead director on the board of directors at Medtronic, a global healthcare technology company. 

Lisa Atherton, who currently leads Textron’s Bell division, will replace Donnelly starting January 4, 2026, the company confirmed in a statement on October 22, 2025. She will also join the company’s Board of Directors upon assuming the CEO role. 

“The Board is pleased to name Lisa as our next CEO after conducting a comprehensive succession planning process and believes this transition will ensure continued success for the company,” said R. Kerry Clark, Textron’s Lead Director.  

During her 18 years with the company, Atherton has worked in various roles and sectors. Most recently, she was the COO of Bell. In 2017, she became the President and CEO of Textron Systems after spending five years at Bell. 

She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Southwest Airlines, the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC), Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, and the Association of the US Army (AUSA). 

“I am excited to become CEO of Textron, and I look forward to working with Scott, the Board and our global teams,” Atherton said. 

Meanwhile, Donnelly will transition to the role of Textron’s Executive Chairman, overseeing the Board of Directors and offering guidance to Atherton on company matters. 

Donnelly started at Textron in July 2008 as Executive Vice President and COO before taking on the role of president and COO in January 2009. He became CEO in December 2009 and was appointed Chairman of the Board on September 1, 2010. 

“It has been an honor to serve as Textron’s CEO,” Donnelly said, reflecting on his upcoming new role. “With the Board’s support, I have had the opportunity to shape the business and develop a talented team for the future.” 

However, Parker, who, prior to heading American Airlines also served as the CEO of US Airways (later merged with American Airlines) and held leadership positions at Northwest Airlines, was not finished with the aviation industry. 

In the years since his departure from American, Parker has channeled his energy and passion for aviation into a new venture. Together with his wife Gwen, Parker set up Breaking Down Barriers, a non-profit organization which aims to inspire an interest in aviation careers among young people, particularly those who do not see the industry as an option. Many people have toyed with the idea of becoming a pilot but have never given serious thought to making that ambition a reality. 

Speaking with AeroTime, Parker explained how the COVID-19 pandemic, which he weathered as CEO of American Airlines, represented a serious upheaval for the airlines’ recruitment pipeline. With many pilots and crew being placed on furlough and the industry facing an uncertain future, many young people turned their backs on aviation as a viable career option. This dried up the talent pool, making the labor shortage much worse when the world finally reopened for travel. 

Why is the industry struggling to attract enough pilots? 

While demand for aviation professionals has picked up again, costs have not come down, depriving the industry of a large number of valid aspirants, who have given up on the idea of becoming a pilot. 

Joining AeroTime’s call with Parker was Rob Polston, CEO of the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, one of the oldest and largest flight training schools in the United States, who explained the dynamics of this market and its access problem. 

“Flight instruction in the US was usually through one of the following paths: it was either the military, or a handful of select university programs or going to one of the 2,000 mostly mom-and-pop schools that exist in the US,” he stated.  

Flight training alone can cost upwards of $100,000, an amount which can double or even triple if coupled with a specialized college degree, explained Polston. He added that most mom-and-pop flight schools are unable to offer student loans or any other source of funding, meaning that lots of kids struggle to get started. This leads many young people to not even give it a shot, even though becoming a commercial pilot would mean recovering the initial investment many times over time. 

The result is that, at a time when airlines are desperate to recruit more pilots, potential recruits are not even showing up. 

This is when Breaking Down Barriers comes in. 

Parker’s non-profit organization fulfills a double role. First , it raises awareness of the opportunities open to those that chose to pursue an aviation career, and second, and more tangibly, it offers an entry path into the profession to those willing to try it.  

Breaking Down Barriers has produced a training program offered to a limited number of hopefuls who otherwise would be crowded out of the pilot training path. 

This, of course, requires resources. Much of the initial funding for Breaking Down Barriers came from the Parkers, who put $3 million of their own money to get things started. This was matched by American Airlines, and supplemented by some other private contributions. 

What’s more, numerous pilots, instructors, and other aviation professionals have agreed to collaborate in kind, by volunteering some of their time. Some 20 pilots have so far passed through the program, two of whom have already qualified as certified flight instructors and are on their way to rack up the number of hours required to become a commercial pilot. 

The non-profit is now taking in around three future pilots per quarter. However, Parker is already thinking about scaling up to be able to train at least 100 pilots at any one time. 

However, what makes this program unique is that it does not accept random applications. In a way, doing so would betray the original purpose of the project, which is to incite new vocations among those that might never have thought it possible that they could become a pilot.   

In fact, it is Breaking Down Barriers that scouts out potential candidates. The organization conducts presentations at schools, with the aim of opening a window to the world of aviation. Only then are people invited to apply., Both Parker and Polston agree that the pilot formation bottleneck is limiting the capacity of the industry to achieve its full potential. 

“Aviation, even if it has its ups and downs, continues to grow at around 4 to 5% a year and it is necessary for infrastructure, for defense, for connecting people, but the problem is that there is not enough people that understand that this industry is available to them,” Polston stated, adding that Spartan College is more or less attempting to solve the same problem as Breaking Down Barriers. 

Pilot training and technology 

Neither Parker nor Polston appeared concerned about a switch to autonomy in the medium term. 

“I think there is always going to be a requirement to have human pilots onboard,” said Parker. “People want to know that if all systems go out, those pilots know how to fly that airplane.”  

He went on to note, as well, that pilots should also be able to react and override any malicious system hackings that may occur if flying is left entirely to technology.  

There is also the idea that some technologies can help make humans more efficient at what they do. In this regard, Polston pointed out the role of technicians, who could become more productive with the support of ever smarter machines. 

“If you can do an eight-hour process in four hours, what most airlines will do is get two planes done instead of one. They will be able to fly more planes and fly more routes, all of which will be good for consumers,” he said, before pointing out that one of the consequences of the pandemic-related furloughs was that airlines dropped many routes in the US, reducing competition and travel choices. 

“More flights mean more revenue,” he added. “That’s why the airlines want more planes. And this [the pilot scarcity] is why the industry is not operating at full potential.”  

Parker also discussed the current state of the US industry and its future perspectives, noting that, while there is a role for a number of point-to-point niche carriers and that “Southwest Airlines isn’t going anywhere”, the Big Three have become incredibly efficient at being able to fly anyone to pretty much anywhere. 

Also, when it comes to product offerings, airlines now offer a more granular multi-tier range of products than a few years ago.  

While earlier it was either coach or first class, the large network carriers are now able to offer something to pretty much each preference and price sensitivity, even matching low-cost carriers with their basic fares and offering the chance to pay more for the services that matter the most to each customer. 

This may also be one of the drivers of the increasing popularity of premium travel, which is filling both airport lounges and the front of the cabin. 

“It is not that there is more disposable income. Demand was always there. It is just there were not that many products to choose from,” Parker said “We are seeing the tiering up of more and more products.”  

So, are there still opportunities for further growth in such a mature market? Parker thinks yes. Particularly as a large part of the country already views air travel as a necessity. 

“Our business is cyclical, as a function of the growth of the economy, but at growing at a higher rate,” he said “There has been a systemic change in the way people want to spend their money and how important travel is for them.”  

On October 8, 2025, Air Astana’s Board of Directors released a statement confirming that Foster will also leave the airline’s Board but will continue with the Group as a Senior Advisor. 

“The Board of Directors would like to thank Peter Foster for his outstanding achievement in guiding the company for 20 years, from its post start-up phase to its position today as Kazakhstan and Central Asia’s leading airline,” said Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Board of Directors. 

Under Peter Foster’s leadership, Air Astana evolved from a young national carrier into one of Central Asia’s largest and most successful airlines.  

During his tenure, the airline broadened its international reach, introduced the low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan, and achieved a dual listing on the London and Kazakhstan stock exchanges.  

After Foster retires, Ibrahim Canliel, who is currently the Chief Financial Officer at the airline, will become the new CEO. 

Canliel has been with the Air Astana Group since 2003, starting in senior commercial positions and later serving as Chief Financial Officer since 2017. 

“His contribution has been immense and he brings with him great experience of both the Group and of the airline industry,” the Board’s statement read. According to the Board, Canliel “has the fullest confidence that he will guide the company to continued growth and success.”  

The Boeing Engineering Center, housed inside the Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology, became fully operational September 10, 2025. At 65,000 square feet, the space will serve as a hub for design, prototyping and advanced research tied to Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Air Dominance portfolio.  
 
Boeing officials said the center is expected to support roughly 400 new jobs as hiring continues. 

“This day represents an important milestone for Boeing, Embry-Riddle and the broader Daytona Beach community,” said Dan Gillian, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Air Dominance. “This engineering center will accelerate Boeing’s work on critical defense programs and deepen our partnership with Embry-Riddle, giving us access to an exceptional talent pipeline and enabling collaboration to drive aerospace innovation.” 

The center builds on a growing relationship between Boeing and Embry-Riddle, whose Daytona Beach campus is one of the leading suppliers of graduates to the aerospace industry. Boeing said the location will allow it to work directly with faculty, students and researchers while drawing on the university’s long-established strengths in aviation and engineering. 

Embry-Riddle leaders hailed the development as both a boost to the local economy and a validation of years of investment in the Research Park.  
 
“In addition to creating high-paying jobs, these collaborations cultivate a dynamic exchange between students, faculty and industry leaders, ensuring innovation thrives at the intersection of education and enterprise,” said P. Barry Butler, Embry-Riddle’s President. “We are delighted that Boeing’s new facility will draw on the rich pool of local talent and strengthen the vital pipeline between academic achievement and industry success — a partnership forged by the forward-thinking policies and steadfast support of both higher education and aerospace by the leadership of the state of Florida.” 

Mori Hosseini, Chairman of Embry-Riddle’s Board of Trustees, described the center as a milestone not only for Daytona Beach but also for Florida as a whole.  
 
“With Boeing’s partnership, hundreds of talented individuals and their families will now have opportunities to live, work and thrive here, investing in our local economy and supporting the future of aviation and aerospace,” he said. “The impact — made possible by local philanthropists Cici and Hyatt Brown, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the legislature — is immeasurable.” 

The Research Park has already demonstrated its economic impact. According to Embry-Riddle, the park has generated nearly 2,000 jobs and more than $372 million in economic activity since opening in 2017. Officials believe Boeing’s arrival will strengthen the park’s role as a magnet for aerospace and technology companies, adding another global brand to an ecosystem that already spans aviation, cybersecurity, commercial space, and entrepreneurial startups. 

Boeing executives also emphasized the company’s commitment to the wider community. Alongside the new facility, Boeing announced a $100,000 donation to support STEM education programs through the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia and Flagler counties, as well as to provide food assistance for students via the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. 

Boeing claims that the Daytona Beach center reflects both strategic needs and long-term planning. The company continues to invest in defense programs focused on next-generation fighters and autonomous systems, areas that require large numbers of highly trained engineers. Boeing insists that, by placing a major center at Embry-Riddle, it gains proximity to a ready pipeline of graduates while reinforcing ties with one of the nation’s top aviation universities. 

Gillian said: “This engineering center will accelerate Boeing’s work on critical defense programs and deepen our partnership with Embry-Riddle, giving us access to an exceptional talent pipeline and enabling collaboration to drive aerospace innovation.” 

The ribbon-cutting also underscores the increasingly important role Florida plays in aerospace development, stretching from Cape Canaveral and the Space Coast through Daytona Beach. Hosseini called it the “space triangle,” a region that now boasts a mix of academic institutions, space launch facilities and major industry partners. 

In a statement, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union District 837 members, whose negotiators have not met with Boeing since August 25, 2025, said the five-year tentative agreement includes “improvements to general wage increases and restores a signing bonus.”  

Boeing’s new strike settlement offer, presented by the company on its official website on September 10, 2025, includes a five-year contract with an average 45% wage increase, up from the 40% included in the company’s previous four-year proposal, raising average annual pay from $75,000 to $109,000. 

“Employees in progression, which is 78% of our team, have the potential to see their hourly wages grow even higher than 45% by leveraging the new pay enhancements,” the company said. 

The agreement also includes a $4,000 ratification bonus, along with retirement and healthcare benefits as well as more vacation and sick leave days. This includes automatic increases of $0.75 per hour every six months and bonuses for second-shift work, which were already included in the previous offer. 

IAM District 837 members can vote on the tentative agreement on September 12, 2025, which could bring an end to the month-long walkout. 

The announcement comes after Boeing said it will begin hiring permanent replacement workers at its defense factories in Missouri and Illinois. District 837 President Tom Boelling called out the move, saying it would create division among workers instead of resolving the conflict. 

Boeing defense workers will be required to return to work on September 15, 2025, if the contract is approved. 

The ongoing strike continues to put a key business line at risk for Boeing. The company’s defense division generated about $23 billion in revenue in 2024, approximately one-third of the company’s total sales. 

Boeing defense workers are responsible for assembling and maintaining advanced aircraft and weapon systems, including the F-15, F/A-18, as well as missile and defense technologies. 

“Their work plays a vital role in safeguarding national security and supporting US and allied defense operations,” the union said. 

CAE Vienna is the first center of this sort to be opened by the Canadian company in Central Europe and, while its official inauguration took place on September 4, 2025, it has been operational since April. 

The 86,000 square foot (8,000 square meter) training center is capable of training pilots on four different types of advanced executive jet: Gulfstream G550, Bombardier Global 7500, Bombardier Global 6000 and Embraer Phenom 100/300 full-flight simulator (FFS), the latter as part of the Embraer CAE Training Services (ECTS) joint venture.  

Future executive aviation pilots will be able to complete all phases of classroom and simulator training required by different aviation authorities to obtain type-rating and complete recurrent training. The center will also offer training for maintenance technicians, where they will be able to gain type training, engine run and taxi courses, technical training (including on avionics), and a variety of other personal development courses. 

In addition to the flight simulators, CAE has fitted the Vienna training center with a number of technological novelties which aim to make processes more personalized and efficient, streamlining the booking and record keeping process. 

CAE is investing in expanding its training capacity, since its own publicly available research indicates that the aviation industry will need thousands of new pilots and technicians over the next decade.  

“According to CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast, the business aviation industry in Europe will need 7,000 new pilots and 9,000 new maintenance technicians over the next 10 years,” said Alexandre Prévost, CAE’s Division President, Business Aviation in a press release announcing the opening. “With the ability to train thousands of aviation professionals annually, CAE Vienna is ideally equipped and perfectly located to help meet that demand.”  

On August 22, 2025, workers at GE Aerospace, represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union Local 647, voted 84% in favor of authorizing a strike. Their contract expired at midnight on August 27, 2025. 

The union chapter represents more than 600 workers at two GE sites: the Evendale, Ohio plant, which manufactures marine and industrial engines for the US Navy, and the Erlanger, Kentucky distribution center, which provides supplies to GE facilities worldwide. 

“After years of sacrificing for this billion-dollar company, workers are determined to walk the picket line for as long as it takes to win the contract they deserve,” the union announced in a post on X on August 28, 2025. 

Union members said that “high health care costs” are the main reason behind the strike. The union said that while its members were undergoing contract negotiations with GE management, the company responded with “insulting counteroffers” that would increase health care costs for workers by 36% over four years. 

Additionally, the workers pointed out that from 2022 to 2024, the company achieved record revenue exceeding $100 billion, along with over $16 billion in shareholder distributions. Meanwhile, the company’s CEO Larry Culp made $89 million in 2024 alone – over 1,200 times more than the median worker’s annual income. 

Responding to the strike, GE Aerospace said in a statement that the company is “deeply disappointed” that the Detroit-based UAW leaders have chosen to send workers on strike without giving them an opportunity to review and vote on the company’s latest offer. 

According to the company, the offer presented to the union on August 27, 2025, included general wage increases of 12% over three years, three accelerated cash payments totaling $2,500, and increases in paid time off and sick leave. 

“From the beginning, we’ve understood your interests to include increased wages, job security, paid time off and affordable benefits. We address all these priorities and more in our final offer,” the company said. 

Throughout negotiations, GE Aerospace workers organized mass plant solidarity walks every Wednesday at both the Erlanger and Evendale sites.  

Increasing workforce tensions are currently impacting the aviation industry, as employees from major manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, and Canada’s largest carrier, Air Canada, have held strikes demanding better pay and working conditions. 

On July 27, 2025, more than 3,200 members of the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers union (IAM), which is the largest industrial trade union in North America, from Boeing locations in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Mascoutah, voted overwhelmingly to turn down the company’s latest contract proposal. 

Since a new agreement had not been reached, the existing contract expired at 11:59 local time on July 27, 2025. The IAM union stated that a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period is now in place before a strike can begin. 

The union did not specify the reasons for rejecting the contract, only mentioning that it “fell short of addressing the priorities and sacrifices of the skilled IAM union workforce”.  

“Our members are standing together to demand a contract that respects their work and ensures a secure future,” a statement from the IAM union read. 

Dan Gillan, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing’s defense services division, said in a statement seen by ABC News that the company is “focused on preparing for a strike”.  

He referred to the proposal as “the richest contract offer” ever made to the St. Louis union and noted that there are currently no scheduled discussions with the union. 

Meanwhile, IAM said that it “looks forward to returning to the bargaining table with Boeing’s leadership to deliver meaningful improvements that support the well-being and livelihoods of IAM members and their families.” 

Boeing’s sites in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Mascoutah support a mix of legacy aircraft production, next-generation fighter development, and unmanned systems programs. 

The latest Boeing strike concluded on November 4, 2024, after Boeing machinists agreed to a new contract, bringing a seven-week strike to an end.  

The strike was the costliest in the US for more than 25 years. Boeing announced a net loss of $6.17 billion in the third quarter of 2024 alone due to industrial action. 

In its annual 20-year 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO), released at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 22, 2025, the manufacturer stated that “commercial carriers will need substantial hiring and training to sustain the global commercial fleet.”  

“As commercial air traffic demand continues to outpace economic growth and the global fleet expands to meet demand, our industry will keep the fleet flying safely and efficiently by supporting workforce development for carriers worldwide,” said Chris Broom, Vice President of Commercial Training Solutions at Boeing Global Services.  

In the PTO, Boeing has forecasted that by 2044, two-thirds of new personnel will address replacement due to attrition, while one-third will support the growth of the commercial fleet. The company said that the demand for new hires is mainly driven by single-aisle aircraft. 

As in past years, Eurasia, China and North America are expected to drive demand for more than half of new industry personnel, while South Asia and Southeast Asia are the fastest-growing areas, with staffing needs projected to more than triple. 

However, among the regions, Boeing anticipates that Eurasia will have the highest demand for new aviation professionals through 2044. 

How big is the workforce demand? 

The global pilot workforce is expected to increase from 315,000 in 2024 to 610,000 by 2044, representing a 94% rise. This growth indicates that 660,000 new pilots will be required between 2025 and 2044 to meet a 4.1% annual growth in demand. 

Meanwhile, Boeing stated that the aviation maintenance market “has continued to endure challenges that impact the labor market.” The manufacturer said that aviation technicians are leaving the workforce “through retirement and natural attrition.” 

The global aircraft technician workforce is projected to grow from 185,000 in 2024 to 320,000 by 2044, which is a 73% increase, with 710,000 new technicians needed to support an expected 3.9% annual growth in demand over the next 20 years. 

Finally, Boeing said that the cabin crew profession “remains an attractive career for those interested in aviation, travel, and customer service.”  

The global cabin crew workforce is expected to more than double from 335,000 in 2024 to 675,000 by 2044, which is a 101% increase, with 1,000,000 new cabin crew members needed between 2025 and 2044 to support a 3.2% annual growth in demand. 

In a statement released on May 27, 2025, Pratt & Whitney confirmed that the new contract will be effective May 28, 2025, and will last for four years. Employees are set to return to work on the morning of May 29, 2025. 

The vote occurred on May 27, 2025, with 74% of the members from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union Local 1746 and Local 700 (District 26) in favor of the new contract.  

The IAM union said in a statement that the new agreement addresses key member concerns surrounding wage growth, retirement security, and job stability.  

A major highlight is job security, with the new contract guaranteeing continued operations at East Hartford and Middletown facilities until 2029. 

Additionally, the company proposed a 6% salary raise for the first year of the contract, followed by general salary increases of 3.5% in 2026, 3% in 2027, and 3% in 2028.  

In terms of promotions, the company stated that the pension payment will rise from $94 to $113 beginning June 1, 2025. Furthermore, the engine maker suggested offering employees more flexible work week arrangements. 

“Our committee worked tirelessly to ensure our members’ priorities were heard, and this agreement is a direct result of that determination,” said IAM Union District 26 Directing Business Representative, Jeff Santini. “We are proud of what was achieved at the table and even prouder of the solidarity shown by our membership throughout this process.” 

Pratt & Whitney said in its statement that it “appreciates the collaboration with the union to reach a mutually agreeable contract.” 

“This contract recognizes the skill and dedication of our workforce by keeping them among the highest compensated in their field, while ensuring the company is well-positioned for the future,” the company concluded. 

Contract negotiations between Pratt & Whitney and Local Lodge 1746 members, who are part of District 26 of the IAM union, restarted on May 22, 2025. However, the final vote has not yet occurred, and the final proposal will be presented for voting by union members on May 27, 2025. 

In a statement issued on May 23, 2025, Pratt & Whitney said that the company and the union reached a “tentative agreement on a revised contract offer that addressed key points of interest among union members.”  

“Those eligible are encouraged to participate in the upcoming contract ratification vote happening on May 27, 2025, at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut,” the company’s statement read.  

In a separate statement released the same day, members of IAM Local Lodge 1746 mentioned that their elected negotiating committees worked “hard around the clock to secure a new tentative agreement.” 

“On May 27, 2025, our members will decide if we achieved our objectives around job security, wage security, and retirement security,” said IAM Local Lodge 1746 machinists. “This new proposal has significant changes/improvements in all three of these core areas.” 

Pratt & Whitney’s latest contract proposal included an 18.6% increase in total pay, bonuses, and retirement benefits over the next three years. Additionally, the company proposed a 4% wage increase right away, plus a $5,000 bonus when the contract is approved.  

However, the union turned down this proposal, stating that the offer “fell short on job security, wages, and retirement.” As a result, more than 3,000 Pratt & Whitney workers walked off the job on May 5, 2025, staging a strike at the company’s factories in East Hartford and Middletown. 

On May 5, 2025, more than 3,000 Pratt & Whitney workers went on strike, walking out of their jobs at factories in East Hartford and Middletown.

Members of IAM Local Lodge 1746 in East Hartford said in a statement, published on May 19, 2025, that they “don’t know what to expect” and have asked members to “continue to attend all picket assignments to show solidarity and be loud and active.” 

Meanwhile, Pratt & Whitney announced that it “remains committed to reaching a new agreement that reflects the value of employees’ contributions and supports the long-term future of high-skill manufacturing jobs in Connecticut.” 

In a statement published on X, Connecticut AFL-CIO, which represents workers in the state’s unions, said: “IAM Union members have now entered their third week on strike at Pratt & Whitney. Their fight for job security, fair wages, and a secure retirement continues, but they need our help.” 

On May 17, 2025, the IAM union said that the striking Pratt & Whitney workers “build engines that power the world”, and all they ask in return is “a fair deal”, arguing that the company’s current proposal “fell short on job security, wages, and retirement.” 

Pratt & Whitney said its latest contract proposal included an 18.6% increase in total pay, bonuses, and retirement benefits over the next three years. Additionally, the company proposed a 4% wage increase right away, plus a $5,000 bonus when the contract is approved.  

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy participated in the machinists’ strike in Middletown on May 16, 2025. “I’m proud to represent an iconic American company like Pratt and Whitney, but they need to come to the table and give these workers a fair deal,” he announced in a post on X. “Pratt’s profits rose 77% in 2024. Share the wealth.” 

Sebastien Vigneron, the former Senior Vice President of Engineering and Programs at Wisk, will take over the role of CEO, the company announced in a statement on May 7, 2025.  

Vigneron has more than 20 years of experience in aircraft development and previously led the Product Development division for the Gen 6 aircraft, including technologies for Autonomy and Airspace Integration, while managing various engineering and testing teams. 

“This is a truly exciting time for the company and AAM as a whole,” Vigneron said. “I look forward to guiding our talented team through this critical stage and leveraging the enhanced collaboration with Boeing.”  

Meanwhile, Yutko will take on the role of Vice President of Product Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA). In this role, Yutko will continue to provide strategic oversight and support to Wisk. 

“Sebastien is an incredible leader, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him and the Wisk team as we fly Gen 6, progress our certification program, and enter service,” Yutko added. 

Wisk is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing based in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

The leadership changes come at a time when the company prepares to fly its newest model, 6th Generation eVTOL air taxi, and work towards its certification. The company claims that this aircraft is the “world’s first all-electric, autonomous, four-seat air taxi designed for passenger transport.” 

Since 2010, Wisk has designed and developed six generations of aircraft. These electric air taxis are made for short urban flights and are designed to fly without a human pilot.  

Members of Connecticut IAM Locals 700 and 1746, District 26 declared a strike starting May 4, 2025. Their existing agreement was valid until 11:59 local time (ET) the same day. 

Picketing workers lined and crossed streets at manufacturing locations in East Hartford and Middletown from 00:01 local time on May 5, 2025. 

The company said its latest contract proposal included an 18.6% increase in total pay, bonuses, and retirement benefits over the next three years. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney proposed a 4% wage increase right away, plus a $5,000 bonus when the contract is approved. 

According to the IAM union negotiating committee, the company failed to adequately address the membership’s top concerns regarding wage and retirement security and “offered nothing” to improve job security. 

“Our committee worked tirelessly to advance our member’s voices to the company, and the company simply failed to bring to the table an agreement that we felt comfortable recommending to our membership,” said IAM District 26 Directing Business Representative Jeff Santini. “At the end of the day, the membership always has the final say.” 

In a statement Pratt & Whitney answered these claims, stating that the company had offered “fair and equitable wage and benefits package” and are “disappointed” that an agreement was not reached. 

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont praised Pratt & Whitney’s workforce, calling it the driving force behind the company’s leadership in engine manufacturing. He urged company leadership and the machinists’ union to “come together to reach a fair deal negotiated in good faith.” 

The IAM union said it “looks forward to returning to the table with Pratt and Whitney’s leadership.” However, at present, no further meetings are scheduled between the company and the union. 

InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of the country’s largest airline IndiGo, announced the change in an SEC filing on April 24, 2025.  

Whitaker has been appointed to his new role for five years and will start once he receives security clearance from the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). According to the filing, the appointment is subject to the approval of the shareholders of the company. 

Whitaker will replace Dr. Venkataramani Sumantran, who will step down from his position as Independent Director on May 28, 2025. According to the airline, Sumantran “has conveyed his desire not to seek re-election for a second term.” 

“Mike’s focus on efficiency, operations, air safety as head of the FAA will reinforce IndiGo’s long standing focus on operating at the highest levels,” Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, concluded. 

Whitaker resigned from his position as head of the FAA in December 2024. His last day at the agency was January 20, 2025, the same day US President Trump replaced President Biden. 

“I am deeply honored to have the privilege of joining the Board of the world’s fastest growing airline on its way to become a global aviation giant,” Whitaker said. “India is one of the world’s great travel hubs with unlimited growth potential.”  

Before his time at the FAA, Whitaker worked for more than 30 years in various aviation positions, including as Chief Operating Officer at Supernal, Hyundai’s air mobility division, Senior Vice President Alliances, and International & Regulatory Affairs at United Airlines. He started his aviation career as a lawyer for Trans World Airlines in New York. 

Arel had intended to retire at the end of 2025, but he will now leave in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition, the FAA told CBS News in a statement. 

The FAA noted that Arel was responsible for ensuring safe, efficient and secure air traffic services for approximately 50,000 aircraft operating every day over nearly 30 million square miles across the National Airspace System (NAS).   

His early retirement is part of the second round of buyouts offered by the US Department of Transportation (DOT). On April 1, 2025, the DOT presented thousands of employees with a new buyout option, allowing them to leave government service in exchange for pay and benefits until September 30, 2025.  

The first round of the deferred resignation program, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team, took place in February 2025 and affected approximately 75,000 federal employees. The buyouts program is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to decrease the federal workforce. 

Additionally, Arel’s departure comes amid ongoing pressure on the FAA to address safety issues within the US airspace system.  

On January 29, 2025, a tragic midair collision between an American Eagle regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) resulted in the loss of 67 lives. In March 2025, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 narrowly avoided a US Air Force T-38 jet near the same airport. 

The FAA responded by restricting helicopter traffic near the airport and increasing operational supervisor staffing from six to eight due to growing concerns about safety. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a recommendation to permanently restrict helicopter operations near DCA when certain runways are in use.  

Finally, the agency has appointed a new management team to oversee air traffic control at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). 

Aidan Rock-Arnarson (’25), aged 22, is a final year student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration. Due to flexibility in location, coursework and scheduling, Aidan elected to pursue his degree online through Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. 

Alongside his studies, from which he will graduate in September 2025, Aidan is currently working in supply chain cost analytics with Honda Aircraft Company (HAC) at the company’s global headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon graduating, Aidan plans to take a full-time position with HAC. 

AeroTime recently spoke with Aidan about his background in aviation and his experience as a student at Embry-Riddle. He shared how earning an online degree from Embry-Riddle has provided him with both the education and the opportunities needed to fulfil his future professional goals in the global aerospace industry.  

Background 

Aidan begins by explaining that he comes from a family where aviation is in the blood. “I am the third generation of my family to pursue a career in the aviation industry,” he says. “My grandfather was a flight engineer for the company that became Icelandair before founding a chain of Part 145 maintenance facilities, while on my mother’s side, my grandparents ran a fixed-base operator (FBO) facility.”

“My father currently works in the aircraft leasing industry, having previously attended Embry-Riddle himself. Although I didn’t deliberately follow in his footsteps, the experience he obtained by attending Embry-Riddle inspired me. Given my family’s background in aviation, I always knew that it was the only industry I wanted to spend my professional life working in.”

“During high school, I worked for our family FBO as a business development assistant. When it came to selecting where I went to college, Embry-Riddle, with its renowned global reputation for excellence and its choice of in-person or online bachelor’s programs, seemed the obvious choice,” he adds.  

“Ultimately, I chose Embry-Riddle as I believed it offered me the most opportunities to get on the first rung on the ladder for a professional aviation carrier while also offering a program that suited my interest and career aspirations the best.”  

Asked about why he chose to study an online program rather than attend an Embry-Riddle campus in person, Aidan cites the opportunity to work in the industry alongside his studies as a primary factor.  

“I quickly realized that while attending my first year at college, I could continue exploring work opportunities at an MRO (maintenance and repair organization) and continue to get useful hands-on aviation experience,” he explained. “I was also working alongside former Embry-Riddle students at the MRO, which I found immensely helpful. I don’t think I would have got that quality of experience had I attended college full time.”  

Engaging with Opportunities at Embry-Riddle 

It’s clear that Aidan has gained far more than just a high-quality education while attending the world’s most renowned aviation educational institution. His time at Embry-Riddle has been enhanced by a range of invaluable opportunities that he feels have helped develop him as an individual and as a future aviation professional.   

Aidan is currently the chair of the Embry-Riddle College of Business (COB) student council.

“During my junior year, I was selected to serve as vice chairman and was subsequently invited to return the following year as a student councillor. I was then elected to be chairman for the entire student council for my final year,” he explains. “As part of my role, we’ve been working on creating different opportunities for Embry-Riddle students to engage with industry leaders and have early interactions to forge connections with the industry within which they will ultimately work.” 

“I was always involved in student government through middle school and high school,” Aidan says. “I have always enjoyed helping develop opportunities for other students to grow and get experience that they may not have otherwise had, so I saw continuing that role at Embry-Riddle as a great opportunity to advocate for something that would have interested me in my younger years – to have access to industry leaders to listen to and learn from.”  

The Embry-Riddle Career Ready Club  

Another aspect of Aidan’s extra-curricular activities at Embry-Riddle is his involvement in the College of Business Career Ready Club (CRC) as a career support ambassador for his fellow students.  

“The CRC is a student-run organization within the Career Services Division at Embry-Riddle. We essentially work on engaging with as many different employers as possible to find out about the current and upcoming opportunities for young and not-so-young professionals about to enter the civilian workforce,” Aidan explains.  

“The CRC has recently coordinated visits to several leading aerospace companies such as Gulfstream, The Boeing Company, NASA and Airbus. There will even be a group of current Embry-Riddle students coming out to Greensboro in March 2025 to visit us here at HAC. My specific roles are to facilitate these visits and help bring students access the real-world aviation arena and to explain what companies are doing and what career opportunities may await them upon graduation.”

“Particularly with online learning, not all students get the opportunity to actively engage with the industry on the ‘shop floor,’ so we provide these opportunities to allow all students to get actively involved… Building early connections is ultimately what it is all about,” Aidan adds.

To ensure these opportunities are available to all Embry-Riddle students, Aidan and the CRC team make an extra effort to reach students at all Embry-Riddle locations, including the European location in Frankfurt and the international campus based in Singapore. With more than 160,000 Embry-Riddle alumni around the globe, the reach of the Eagle community is widespread.

“This means that at every major aerospace trade show or aviation conference or exhibition worldwide, there are likely to be several Embry-Riddle alumni for current students to connect with and discuss career prospects and opportunities. This alone is one of the greatest strengths of being an Embry-Riddle student,” Aidan says.  

“Ultimately, Embry-Riddle produces hyper-focused individuals who are extremely passionate about aviation. It is our role at the Career Ready Club to connect them with like-minded individuals who share the same values and who are already working in the industry,” Aidan concludes.  

A Role at Honda  

While completing his online studies at Embry-Riddle, Aidan has worked at Honda Aircraft Company (HAC) as a business analyst in the company’s HondaJet private jet aircraft division in Greensboro.

After building a connection with HAC through internship opportunities listed with Embry-Riddle’s Career Services and meeting HAC representatives at the Reno Air Show, Aidan was able to leverage his connections and land a role with the company.

“Having established a connection with the company and several former Embry-Riddle alumni already working there certainly helped in securing my internship,” he said.

“I initially secured a three-month internship in the company’s supply chain team for the summer of 2024. In that role, I was involved in strategic sourcing for new aircraft development, as well as supporting HAC’s indirect procurement operations,” Aidan adds.  

After completing his internship and continuing his studies, Aidan returned in January 2025 to work as a cost analyst within the company’s supply chain team. In this role, Aidan manages cost programs for HAC’s new aircraft project and supports environment, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

“I have already secured a full-time position with HAC once I graduate in summer 2025, which I am delighted about. HAC is a fast-growing company with an established product range. Additionally, as a young person entering the industry, the company has been fantastic in providing me with invaluable opportunities to meet different suppliers, pursue other learning opportunities, attend business-related personal development courses and broaden my professional horizons outside of my day-to-day work tasks.” 

What Does the Future Hold? 

Aidan explains what lies ahead for him in terms of his future career and past experiences.

“At some point in the future, I would like to develop expertise in the aircraft leasing and finance industry, following in my father’s footsteps, perhaps working overseas in the commercial division of one of the large aircraft leasing firms and using my business analytical skills in an industry that I have always found fascinating. That would be a long-term ambition of mine, although there are a lot of milestones I wish to reach first,” he adds.      

Aidan believes that his studies at Embry-Riddle, along with the unparalleled opportunities they have presented, are an ideal springboard for a successful aviation career.     

“A few months from now, I will be fresh out of college. With my love of aviation, which started when I was very young, backed by a world-class education from Embry-Riddle, and a foothold already established on the path to a successful aviation career through my position with HAC, I feel that my outlook is very bright,” he said.

“The opportunities and connections made while I was studying at Embry-Riddle have both played a major part in getting me to where I am today. With the network of former Embry-Riddle students stretching to all corners of the aerospace world, along with the college’s renowned reputation, backed by such esteemed institutions such as the Royal Aeronautical Society, I believe the aviation world is in my hands – it is now up to me to grab the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”   

To learn more about business degrees and opportunities at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, visit erau.edu/aerotime.

In a statement released on April 2, 2025, the FAA said a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team will be visiting DCA Airport in early April 2025 to provide “confidential support for staff” after “stressful events”. 

The FAA said it will conduct regular wellness checks at the facility and evaluate current arrival rates at the airport. 

The agency announced plans to raise the number of operational supervisors from six to eight and will reassess the staffing levels of certified professional controllers at DCA Airport. Additionally, the FAA said it will review the airport’s hourly aircraft arrival rate, noting that arrivals are heavily concentrated in the final 30 minutes of each hour. 

The announcement comes after a tragic mid-air collision near the Potomac River on January 29, 2025. 

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating Flight 5342 under American Airlines regional brand American Airlines, collided with a US Army Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on its final approach to Runway 33 at DCA. The American Eagle flight was carrying around 60 passengers and four crew members, while three soldiers were on board the Black Hawk helicopter. 

In early February 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that critical data regarding the final moments leading to the collision is located within the submerged wreckage.  

The NTSB confirmed that the US Army Black Hawk was flying at an altitude of 300 feet at the time of the incident, 100 feet above the maximum authorized altitude of 200 feet for its flight path. 

Additionally, officials reported that the bodies of all 67 victims who lost their lives in the crash have been recovered.  

During a US Senate hearing on March 27, 2025, seen by Reuters, Rocheleau confirmed that no Starlink terminals have been connected to the air traffic control system and that DOGE employees are not part of the decision-making process regarding the addition of more terminals. 

The announcement follows the FAA’s announcement in February 2025 regarding the potential cancellation of a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon in favor of Elon Musk’s Starlink.  

At that time, the FAA indicated it had begun testing SpaceX Starlink terminals to “fix telecommunications connections” and was “considering the use of Starlink since the prior administration”. The agency was conducting tests with one terminal at its Atlantic City facility and two terminals at non-safety critical sites in Alaska.  

Prior to that, Musk has publicly criticized the current FAA telecom system. On February 25, 2025, he stated on X that “the Verizon system is not working and so is putting air travelers at serious risk”. A couple of days later, Musk added that “the Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly”. 

Following Musk’s comments about the FAA system and his role as the head of SpaceX, there have been media reports suggesting that his DOGE team was influencing FAA decisions regarding Starlink terminals. 

However, on March 5, 2025, SpaceX denied intent to take over the current Verizon FAA contract. However, SpaceX did mention on X that “Starlink is a possible partial fix to an aging system”. 

During the hearing, US Senator Ed Markey repeatedly asked Rocheleau if he agreed with Musk’s views, according to Reuters. Rocheleau did not answer directly but offered assurances that air travel is safe. However, he added that “the air traffic system is in dire need of upgrade”. 

A source familiar with the situation informed The Tribune on March 24, 2025, that this layoff occurred in the fourth quarter of 2024. However, as of March 2025, Boeing had not released an official statement confirming the news. 

The source indicated that strategic changes were implemented, impacting a limited number of positions while ensuring that customer service and government operations remained unaffected, according to The Tribune report. 

Although some positions have been eliminated, new roles have also been established, the report continued. The source noted that the layoffs in India have been more controlled, with a strong emphasis on preserving customer service, safety and quality standards. 

Boeing stated on its official website that currently it sources $1.25 billion annually from India though a network of over 300 suppliers. The company employs around 7,000 people in India, with more than 13,000 additional workers working with its supply chain partners.  

Meanwhile, BIETC center “undertakes complex advanced aerospace work and supports Boeing’s global engineering growth.” 

Boeing’s wholly owned engineering and technology campus in Bengaluru is one of the largest Boeing investments outside the US. The facility was first inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi in January 2024. 

In October 2024, the planemaker announced it would issue 60-day notices to around 17,000 workers, which is around 10% of its total workforce. The company began drastic workforce cuts on November 1, 2024.  

So far Boeing has laid off 2,199 employees in Washington state, 692 employees in Missouri, 593 workers in California and 356 employees in South Carolina.  

Launched at a special event held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, Cathay Pacific’s long-standing commitment to promoting youth development in Hong Kong was on full display as the airline hosted hundreds of young Hong Kongers to come and see exactly what the program has to offer them with the ambition of “empowering them to pursue their dreams and nurturing future talent for the aviation industry.”

According to an airline statement, the 2025 edition of ‘I Can Fly’ sees a refreshed format with activities centered on the three themes of ‘Education, Discovery, and Exploration’, in addition to incorporating social service. Across the entire ‘I Can Fly program’, Cathay Pacific will empower some 2,000 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 to pursue their dreams with a focus on aviation-related careers.

Brought to the young people of Hong Kong in collaboration with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Strive and Rise program and several other community engagement partners, around 870 students from underprivileged backgrounds had the opportunity to explore the world of aviation across two ‘Aviation Explorer Days’, which were also supported by 70 staff volunteers from across Cathay Pacific.

The Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics in Hong Kong, Liu Chun-san was welcomed at the event as the guest of honor by Cathay Pacific Director of People Patricia Hwang. Hwang herself is acting as the Star Mentor of the Government’s Strive and Rise program for the second consecutive year.

“Cathay’s I Can Fly program is a meaningful initiative that not only broadens the participants’ horizons but also ignites their courage to pursue their aviation dreams, “ said Under Secretary Liu. “Quite a number of the locally trained pilots are also graduates of this program, which is not just an orientation course to aviation, but also a dream factory for aviation.”

“This weekend’s Aviation Explorer Days not only give participants a chance to appreciate the external allure of flying but also delve deeper into uncovering its inner mysteries, offering a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of the aviation industry, and discovering the endless possibilities in store for them. I would like to extend my thanks to all industry partners in support of the initiative, as well as to the Cathay volunteers and mentors from the Strive and Rise Programme. I hope all participants will embrace their curiosity and passion to explore boldly and carve out their own paths in the skies,” Lui added.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of our participating students to our Aviation Explorer Days as we kick off our flagship, I Can Fly program for 2025, “ said Cathay’s Patricia Hwang. “We sincerely hope that their experiences will further ignite their passion for aviation, motivate them to consider pursuing a career in this exciting and dynamic industry, and inspire them to create positive change in society.

“With our deep roots in Hong Kong, Cathay is committed to being a force of positivity for our community, focusing on the advancement of youth development, sports, and arts and culture to create a brighter future for all. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all of our volunteers, the Government, and our partners for their invaluable support in making these fantastic occasions possible.”

More about ‘I Can Fly’

As part of the Exploration pillar of the program, Cathay Pacific will be hosting I Can Fly Aviation Explorer Days throughout the 2025 calendar year. These experiences include tours of the wider Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) area, including Cathay City, Cathay Dining, Cathay Cargo Terminal, and Cathay Academy, as well as talks about the history of the aviation industry, and career mentorship.

Additionally, the Education pillar will feature the I Can Fly Youth Academy, a five-month aviation training course, while the Discovery pillar will offer an experience that will culminate with an I Can Fly air experience flight towards the end of 2025.

According to the carrier’s statement, “These initiatives provide unique experiences for Hong Kong’s young people to gain a better understanding of the world of aviation and the many different career opportunities available, while also nurturing future talent for the industry to strengthen Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status.”

The I Can Fly program was first launched in 2003 and aims to empower Hong Kong’s youth by igniting their ambitions and enabling them to explore broader career opportunities. Over 4,400 students have graduated from the program since its inception, with many alumni already pursuing careers in aviation.

On March 17, 2025, David Spero, the National President of PASS, announced in a statement that the decision comes following the ruling of a Maryland court. The reinstated employees will receive back pay dated from February 15, 2025, and are expected to resume their duties on March 20, 2025. 

“While the agency is complying with a Maryland court ruling handed down last week that said the terminations at various agencies – including the Department of Transportation – were unlawful, this is a win for public safety and for a critical workforce dedicated to the FAA’s mission,” Spero said. 

Spero added that haphazardly eliminating positions and encouraging resignations “creates a demoralizing effect on the workforce”. 

Although the employee termination email indicated they were being let go for “performance reasons not in the public interest,” PASS said that it has learned from managers and supervisors that these statements were false.  

“We are pleased that the expungement of these letters referencing the false performance claims allows these employees to continue their service to the American flying public without this unsubstantiated blemish on their work record,” Spero’s statement read. 

In February 2025, Spero announced that “several hundred” employees were being summarily fired from their jobs during their probationary period, saying that the union was “disappointed by the administration’s decision to fire FAA probationary employees without cause nor based on performance or conduct.” 

AFGE workers announced in a statement that the lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle on March 13, 2025, by three federal worker unions: the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA).  

AFGE union members describe the termination of the negotiated union contract as an “illegal action”, arguing that it “violates the constitutional rights of federal employees and undermines collective bargaining protections”. 

AFGE National President Everett Kelley stated that canceling a legally negotiated union contract is “unconstitutional” and “retaliatory”. 

“These attempts by the administration to silence everyday workers across this country through retaliation and intimidation will not succeed,” Kelley said. “We will fight tirelessly to protect the rights of federal employees and defend our union contracts.” 

AFGE workers demand “immediate injunctive relief to stop the administration from rescinding the existing contract, eliminating union representation, and stripping workers of their bargaining rights,” the statement continued. 

The seven-year bargaining agreement between TSA and AFGE employees took effect in May 2024, protecting approximately 47,000 TSA officers.  

However, on March 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared that it is terminating the agreement, claiming it would remove “bureaucratic hurdles that will strengthen workforce agility”. 

“Transportation Security Officers will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to a union that does not represent them,” DHS spokesperson said. “The Trump Administration is committed to returning to merit-based hiring and firing policies.” 

DHS officials reported that out of 432 federalized airports, 374 airports have fewer than 200 TSA officers available for screening duties. Additionally, DHS claims that nearly 200 TSA officers are paid by the government but work full-time “on union matters.” 

“These people do not retain certification to perform screening functions,” the DHS statement read. “In a recent TSA employee survey, over 60% said poor performers are allowed to stay employed and, not surprisingly, continue to not perform.” 

At Aeroates, talent retention requires a comprehensive approach, incorporating competitive benefits, career development, and a supportive work culture. Here’s how aviation businesses can implement effective strategies to nurture and retain their workforce.

Building a culture of retention

Creating a strong company culture prioritising employee well-being, development, and job satisfaction is key to long-term retention. Aviation professionals seek stability and a sense of purpose in their roles, making it essential for businesses to foster an environment that promotes engagement, growth, and mutual respect.

Competitive compensation and benefits

Compensation plays a crucial role in employee retention. Aviation professionals expect industry-standard salaries and benefits. At Aeroates, we emphasise transparent compensation structures that ensure employees feel valued. By offering customised benefits, we create an attractive and sustainable work environment.

Emphasising career development

Aviation professionals seek growth opportunities and career progression. Providing structured development programmes, including leadership training, specialised certifications, and cross-functional roles, enhances job satisfaction and longevity.

Aeroates collaborates with top aviation training providers to offer development pathways. By investing in skill enhancement, we empower aviation professionals to achieve long-term success.

Prioritising work-life balance

One of the biggest challenges in aviation is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Irregular shifts and prolonged travel can negatively impact employee well-being, making it essential to adopt supportive policies.

Mental health support

Fatigue and burnout are common in the aviation industry. Employers can foster a healthier work environment by offering mental health resources, counselling services, and fatigue management training.

Aeroates aims to integrate work-life balance initiatives into our employment model, offering tailored shift planning and mental wellness programmes to ensure employee well-being at every stage.

Enhancing employee engagement

An engaged workforce is more likely to stay committed and contribute positively to an organisation’s success. Beyond salaries and benefits, employees need to feel recognised, valued and included. Implementing initiatives that encourage active participation, communication, and feedback helps build a strong connection between employees and their workplace.

Recognition and feedback

Acknowledging employees’ contributions through awards, performance-based bonuses, and public recognition fosters a positive workplace culture. Regular feedback and career discussions demonstrate investment in employees’ long-term success.

Inclusive workplace culture

A diverse and inclusive work environment enables employees from all backgrounds to thrive. Implementing inclusivity training and policies promotes collaboration, innovation, and overall job satisfaction.

Aeroates actively engages with our workforce through surveys, one-on-one consultations, and team-building activities to ensure every employee feels valued and heard.

Leveraging technology for workforce retention

Technology plays a key role in modern workforce management. HR automation tools streamline processes, provide real-time insights into employee satisfaction, and help predict staffing needs.

We use advanced HR systems to monitor retention metrics, identify at-risk employees, and implement targeted solutions. Data-driven decision-making allows us to proactively address concerns before they lead to attrition.

Securing long-term success with Aeroates

Employee retention is the backbone of stability and growth in the aviation industry. Companies that prioritise competitive compensation, career development, work-life balance, and employee engagement can build a workforce that remains loyal and motivated for the long term.

When it comes to Aeroates services, we are dedicated to helping aviation businesses implement effective retention strategies tailored to their unique needs. By leveraging our expertise, companies can foster a thriving work environment that ensures operational excellence and employee satisfaction.

The Philippine flag carrier recently launched its “Fly With Her” program, which aims to help women who aspire to become pilots, and eventually fly for the airline. 

According to the airline’s website, the pledged amount will be awarded to four selected female cadet pilots (approximately $44,000 each), to help kickstart their aviation training. 

PAL said that the scholarship award for each selected candidate shall be distributed directly to the designated partner school to help partially cover the tuition fee for the candidates’ pilot education. 

Aside from the monetary pledge, the airline said it will also release a film inspired by a real-life story of a young girl who dreamed of becoming a pilot.

“When little girls see women take on leadership roles, it inspires them to do the same and possibly go beyond,” Lilybeth T. Ng, PAL Assistant Vice President for Pilot Affairs said in a statement.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reiterate our support to women who dream of flying for and even assuming top positions in the PAL organization,” said Alvin M. Miranda, PAL Vice President for Marketing.

To date, more than 80 female pilots fly for PAL, representing only 9% of its pilot roster.

During the company-wide meeting webcast on March 5, 2025, from St. Louis, Missouri, where the planemaker’s defense and space division is based, Ortberg recognized issues with the company’s internal communication, noting that employees tend to be “very insular” and “don’t communicate across boundaries”, according to Reuters. 

He pointed out that teams in the commercial airplanes and global services divisions “don’t work with each other as well as they could”, the Reuters report continued. Ortberg stated that “the power of the Boeing Company is in us all kind of rowing the boat together”. He said that a cultural change would boost morale for the company, which employs more than 160,000 employees globally. 

Ortberg said his understanding of Boeing’s problems was partly shaped by a culture working group composed of employees from across the company that was looking at the company’s values and its behaviors. He said he planned to put together an action plan based in part on an employee survey conducted in February 2025, the Reuters report added. 

In January 2025, the planemaker reported that it finished the last quarter of 2024 with revenues of $15.2 billion, which was 31% lower than those of the same quarter in 2023, resulting in a net loss of $3.8 billion.  

In its financial report, seen by AeroTime, Boeing stated that the final quarter of 2024 had been extremely challenging for the company. Airplane production was greatly affected by a seven-week strike involving 33,000 machinists on the US West Coast, changes in certain defense programs, and the costs incurred through workforce reductions. 

In October 2024, the planemaker announced it would issue 60-day notices to around 17,000 workers, which is around 10% of its total workforce. The company began drastic workforce cuts on November 1, 2024. So far Boeing has laid off 2,199 employees in Washington state, 692 employees in Missouri, 593 workers in California and 356 employees in South Carolina. 

The new additions to the fleet will all be newly built aircraft and will include 54 single-engine, high-wing Cessna 172 Skyhawks (the most popular aircraft of any type ever produced, with over 45,000 built since 1955). Each will be equipped with full electronic Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. Additionally, there will be seven Piper Seminoles – a twin-engine trainer capable of longer flights and used primarily for multi-engine training. These will also feature Garmin G1000 cockpits and will join 103 others of the type already in service with ATP.

The deliveries of the new aircraft throughout 2025 are part of a larger outstanding order book that ATP has with two key suppliers of light aircraft – Cessna (part of Textron Aviation) and Piper Aircraft (owned since 2009 by the Government of Brunei). The deliveries will continue through to 2027, with around 40 new airplanes on average arriving each year with the provider.

The new deliveries are being seen as a marker for just how high the demand is for newly trained and qualified commercial pilots in the US. With airlines of every size and operating in every sector expanding, the demand for such pilots has never been higher, with training providers such as ATP rushing to keep up and satisfy this demand. In addition to the new aircraft, the company has said it will also be opening several new training centers located in Michigan and Georgia.

Across its US-wide operations, ATP conducts over 850 daily training flights and logs more than 581,000 flight hours annually. The company also operates almost 30 maintenance bases across the US that are tasked with keeping each fleet member safe and airworthy. The organization also has an ‘airline-style’ centralized operations center based in Jacksonville, Florida, from where its entire operation is managed and overseen.     

“The safety and reliability of ATP’s operations exceed the national average for general aviation flight instruction by a factor of ten,” said Michael Arnold, Vice President of Marketing, ATP Flight School. “This commitment to our students and instructors is only made possible through an unmatched investment in aircraft and safety, allowing aspiring pilots to train with confidence on the most efficient path to a successful airline pilot career,” he added.

Deliveries of the new Cessna Skyhawks for 2025 are already underway, with the first of the new planes having been delivered to ATP in February 2025. Out of the company’s fleet of 614 current aircraft, 477 are equipped with Garmin instruments, which feature LCD screens rather that more conventional ‘clockwork’ flight instruments as seen in many older training aircraft.

The use of electronic flight instruments is thought to better prepare trainees for when they reach the right-hand seat of a commercial airliner for the first time, which will have similar panel layouts to the aircraft that they have trained on and become familiar with.

ATP’s website states that the company helps its trainees attain 13,100 pilot ratings annually. Apart from Cessna Skyhawks and Piper Seminoles, the organization also operates single-engine Piper Archers, a low-wing monoplane with slightly more range than the Skyhawk, allowing for more versatility in ATP’s single-engine training programs.

On February 15, 2025, David Spero, the National President of PASS, announced in a statement that the union is “troubled and disappointed by the administration’s decision to fire FAA probationary employees without cause nor based on performance or conduct.” PASS represents more than 11,000 FAA and Department of Defense workers. 

Spero added that “several hundred” workers began to receive firing notices on February 14, 2025, after 19:00 local time, and the notifications continued late into the night. He also noted that it is “possible that others will be notified” over the weekend of February 15–16, 2025 or could be “literally barred from entering” FAA facilities from February 18, 2025. 

However, many of the affected employees received messages from an “exec order” Microsoft email address, which is not an official government email, the statement continued. 

“These are not nameless, faceless bureaucrats,” Spero stated. “They are our family, friends and neighbors. They contribute to our communities. Many military veterans are among them. It is shameful to toss aside dedicated public servants who have chosen to work on behalf of their fellow Americans.” 

According to Spero, FAA employees were “devoted to their jobs”, and this decision “will increase the workload and place new responsibilities on a workforce that is already stretched thin.” 

“This decision did not consider the staffing needs of the FAA, which is already challenged by understaffing,” he added. “Staffing decisions should be based on an individual agency’s mission-critical needs. To do otherwise is dangerous when it comes to public safety. And it is especially unconscionable in the aftermath of three deadly aircraft accidents in the past month.” 

During his first week in office, US President Donald Trump issued several orders regarding federal workers. On January 28, 2025, the White House introduced a “deferred resignation offer” that impacts two million full-time civilian federal jobs.   

On January 21, 2025, Trump dismissed the former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske and warned that “over a thousand” others might face the same fate.  

However, on February 3, 2025, the Trump administration declared that full-time federal employees in public safety positions, including air traffic control (ATC) workers, would not be asked to resign under the “deferred resignation offer.”  

During the first week of his administration, US President Donald Trump issued several orders regarding federal workers. On January 28, 2025, the White House introduced a “deferred resignation offer” that impacts two million full-time civilian federal jobs.  

“The way to greater American prosperity is encouraging people to move from lower productivity jobs in the public sector to higher productivity jobs in the private sector,” the program stated. 

This program is valid until February 6, 2025. Another executive order mandated that federal employees return to in-person work.  

On February 2, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released an updated fact sheet stating that the offer does not apply to “those in positions related to public safety.” 

The OPM stated that deferred resignation is available to all full-time federal employees except military personnel of the armed forces, US Postal Service workers, those in positions related to immigration enforcement and national security, and public safety roles, which includes air traffic controllers. 

Prior to that, Trump announced a hiring freeze for federal civilian employees. As part of this freeze, no federal civilian position may be filled as of 12:00 on January 20, 2025, and no new position may be created. 

At the beginning of 2024, the FAA reported that the country was short of 3,000 air traffic controllers. By September 2024, the FAA announced it had hired 1,800 air traffic controllers in 2024, with a final total of 1,811 for Fiscal Year 2024, marking “the largest number of hires in nearly a decade.”  

Following the announcement of the deferred resignation scheme, which saw employees at the FAA receive an offer to resign with eight months’ pay, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) published a statement in which it shared its concerns to see the loss of “experienced aviation safety personnel during a universally recognized air traffic controller staffing shortage.” 

On January 28, 2025, members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Prospect union, who work for the CAA, announced a 24-hour strike planned for February 6, 2025. Prospect will hold the walkout at its headquarters in Crawley, West Sussex. 

The strike will involve approximately 450 members from both unions. It marks the first industrial action at the CAA since the late 1980s and the first strike by Prospect members there in 40 years.  

“Despite our ongoing industrial action the CAA has still not come to the table with an offer our members can accept so we have no choice but to escalate to a day’s strike,” said Rachel Curley, Deputy General Secretary of Prospect union. “There is still time to avoid further industrial action which will be damaging for the industry, but the employer needs to restart good faith negotiations.” 

In response to the announcement of industrial action seen by the BBC, a CAA spokesperson said: “We continue to engage with union colleagues, and after prolonged discussions it is disappointing that Prospect members have voted to take industrial action.” 

Since mid-January 2024, Prospect union members have been taking action short of a strike, including working to rule and enforcing an overtime ban, while PCS members previously went on strike for two days on January 16 and 17, 2025, after rejecting a pay offer from their employer.   

The CAA proposed a 4% pay increase for the lowest-earners, and 3% for others, PCS announced in a statement. The company also offered a £1,000 non-consolidated payment to be made in April 2025, which was immediately rejected by both unions. However, the CAA has stated it will not reopen pay discussions for the 2024-2025 period. 

Prospect released a statement criticizing the 3-4% pay offer, saying it does keep pace “with the industry nor civil service.” The union warned that ongoing action short of a strike could “cause delays across the industry to things like fleet refits, the introduction of new models, licensing of new hangar facilities.” 

According to PCS union, if the CAA “refuses to make an acceptable pay offer, more combined strike days will follow.” Curley added that “this is not an issue that is going to just go away and if it continues it will start to impact airlines causing delays.” 

Wings For Warriors, which operates its own Piper PA-28 Warrior appropriately registered G-WFWA, was founded in 2012 after founder Mark Radcliffe, then a flight instructor, met an amputee Royal Marine with dreams of becoming a commercial pilot. Since then, the charity has supported more than 30 veterans into aviation careers, including former Royal Engineer Sam Taylor, severely injured in Afghanistan, and now flying as a qualified commercial pilot for a major UK airline.

The opening ceremony, which was also attended by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie, began with an introduction by Gloucestershire Airport’s Managing Director, Jason Ivey, and Mark Radcliffe, Founder of Wings For Warriors. The Princess Royal toured the facility, observing a lesson in progress, speaking with instructors and students, and meeting key supporters, trustees, and veterans who have benefited from the program offered by the charity.

“Having our own charitable training school is a game changer,” said Mark Radcliffe of Wings For Warriors. “It allows us to significantly reduce the financial burden of commercial pilot training, with fees around 40% of the standard cost. This makes us an excellent prospect for airlines seeking to partner with an innovative cadet program as an intelligent solution to their recruitment needs.”

“We also have support from leading industry training partners, including Padpilot and Private Radar, so we’re able to deliver a learning experience that is second to none. The net result is a newly qualified First Officer who brings real-world experience, and a work ethic rarely found elsewhere,” he added.

The Veterans’ Flying School is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO), offering veterans a pathway to training as airline pilots pro bono. This has been made possible by the generous support of key stakeholders including the UK National CABWI Awarding Body, the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, and the Veterans’ Foundation. The school aims to train six to ten veterans every 18 months, according to a Wings For Warriors statement.

“It’s the least we can do for those who’ve given so much for our freedom,” commented Nathan Gray, CEO of Padpilot and a former Royal Navy Commander. 

“Nothing brings the Padpilot team greater joy than to be able to support these incredible people into the air through the VFS,” added Jason Ivey, Managing Director of Gloucestershire Airport. “We are incredibly proud to be home to the Veterans’ Flying School and we look forward to seeing these individuals soar in their new endeavors.”

The opening ceremony and royal visit concluded with the unveiling of a special commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.  

According to the Wings For Warriors website, the charity is “unique in the way it believes that wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women deserve the best opportunities even after military service has ended. By working with military rehabilitation units, other charities, businesses, and the public, we aim to inspire our wounded warriors to move past injury and achieve new, bright, and sustainable futures. Nobody should ever feel like they have already achieved their best, which is why, for our students, the sky is merely the beginning.”

The website adds, “To move past a life-changing injury or illness it is imperative that our veterans continue to work for themselves and not be ‘spoon-fed’ or simply offered short-term projects or challenges. This is why we use the exciting, demanding, and sustainable world of commercial aviation as an incentive to keep moving forward, stop looking backward, and find a means to continue supporting their families for years to come.”

.

On December 19, 2024, ten days after confirming an additional order for 100 Airbus airliners (90 A320neos and 10 A350s), Air India announced a new aircraft order, this time for its newly created flight training school. 

Air India has ordered 31 Archer DX aircraft, a single-engine diesel-powered training aircraft, from US manufacturer Piper Aircraft, as well as 3 DA42-VI twin-engine aircraft from Chinese-owned Austria-based Diamond Aircraft. 

The DA42-VI is an updated version of Diamond’s popular four-seater twin-engine piston plane training aircraft. It has a jet-fuel powerplant which the manufacturer claims can save up to 50% on fuel, as compared to similar aircraft powered by AVGAS. 

“The DA42-VI is designed to make transitioning from single- to multi-engine aircraft training much easier, and Air India’s future cadets will benefit from this. The glass cockpit will help prepare them for their future careers flying large commercial jets,” said Jane Wang, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Flight Ops at Diamond Aircraft Austria, in a press release. 

These 34 aircraft, which will start to be delivered in 2025, are due to be based at a new flight training organization that Air India has created in Central India at Belora airport, near Amravati in the state of Maharasthra.  

This training academy, from which 180 new pilots will be able to graduate per year. will offer state-of-the-art facilities, a fully digitized operations center and its own maintenance facilities. It will also completement Air India’s Aviation Training Academy, the largest of its kind in South Asia, which occupies some 600,000 sq ft, in the city of Gurugram, near Delhi. 

Hogg achieved this milestone, equivalent to 416 days or over a year, flying various C-130 Hercules models, according to the Eglin AFB announcement, published on October 2, 2024. His 10,000^th flight hour was reached during a routine avionics modernization program test mission on September 24, 2024. 

“It’s a milestone in a career I never knew was possible, but I am so thankful I had the chance to live it,” said the 65-year-old pilot from Kentucky. “When I stop to think about the last 40-plus years, I know I have truly been blessed.” 

Hogg began his career at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas on November 23, 1983, immediately after graduating from the USAir Force Academy and flight school. Just two days after finishing aircraft training at his next post, Pope Army Airfield, he was sent to Europe for deployment.  

“It was more than an adventure,” said Hogg, who initially wanted to fly the RF-4 or A-10 Thunderbolt II before choosing the C-130. “I knew the C-130 was the right decision for me. I loved the concept of flying with a crew and the way everyone worked together to get the mission done.” 

In 1988, he started working as a special operator with C-130E and MC-130E Combat Talon aircraft. This was when Hogg experienced his toughest mission. In 1993, his MC-130E crew supported 14 MH-53 Pave Low helicopters going to Haiti in severe thunderstorms. During this mission, Hogg and his crew had to refuel a helicopter that had become separated from other MH-53 helicopters. 

However, Hogg’s crew was running low on fuel and needed to land in Key West Island, Florida. The storm caused a power outage on the island. The crew tried to land twice but failed, and was left with only enough fuel left for one more attempt. 

“Fortunately, we were able to land, and we found out our MH-53 also made it to a successful landing in Haiti,” said Hogg. 

Later, Hogg was assigned to the US Air Force Special Operations Command, located at Hurlburt Field, Florida, where he began testing C-130 aircraft. This role laid the groundwork for his future civilian career in the USAF, which began 11 years later.  

Hethen gained additional experience flying various C-130 models while stationed at Robins AFB in Georgia. In 2004, he became a lieutenant colonel of the standards and evaluation division for the US Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). 

Currently Hogg still works as a civilian test pilot for the AFMC at Eglin AFB, even after retiring from his active-duty position. He now helps with flight testing and evaluating different models of the C-130 Hercules. 

“I have the opportunity to test new models and capabilities, I get to accomplish even more with the C-130,” said Hogg. “Each model and variant can execute so many different missions, it is impossible to get bored with doing the same thing all the time.” 

The C-130 Hercules military transport is often referred to as the workhorse of the skies, and August 23, 2024, marked 70 years since its first flight. More than 2,500 C-130s have been built across assorted versions. 

Although the target was exceeded by just 11, this marks significant progress in the FAA’s work to reverse the decades-long decline in air traffic controller staffing numbers.

“Our dedicated air traffic controllers keep the flying public safe every day,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement.

“I’m thrilled to announce that we hit this major hiring milestone and have so many talented professionals entering our training program. It’s a testament to the hard work of everyone involved and part of our ongoing work to rebuild the controller workforce,” Whitaker added. 

Currently, the FAA has more than 14,000 air traffic controllers. With this year’s addition, there are now around 3,400 controllers in various stages of training, ranging from initial instruction at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City for specialized airspace training.

As part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to increase the pipeline of air traffic controllers, it will hold a new application period starting October 11, 2024. The extended hiring window will allow more time for future controllers to submit their applications and prepare for a future in the FAA.  

“Being recruiter-in-chief is one of the most important roles I play at the FAA. We will not rest on the success of this hiring push – we are already thinking about how to meet our goals next year and into the future. By starting early and casting a wide net for applications, we will continue to make progress on this critical work,” Whitaker said.

Air traffic control is one of the most specialized and skilled professions in the US federal government. Air traffic controllers work in towers at airports and radar rooms at FAA facilities nationwide. Their job is to separate planes, navigate them through weather and ensure that everyone gets to their destinations safely. Forbes considered it to be one of the most stressful jobs in a 2021 list. 

Air controller applicants must: 

• Be a US citizen
• Be younger than 31 years old before the closing date of the application period (with limited exceptions)
• Have either one year of general work experience or four years of education leading to a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of both
• Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
• Be willing to relocate to an FAA facility based on agency staffing needs

Interested applicants can learn more about eligibility requirements and application instructions here.

The airline’s employee resource group partnered with Women in Aviation International Aloha Chapter so that young women can learn about aviation and aerospace and meet female role models in the industry.

Girls in Aviation day is celebrated every September 21, with the 2024 celebration marking its 10th year. 

@hawaiianair This weekend we celebrated Girls in Aviation Day! Our Wahine in Aviation employee resource group worked alongside the Women in Aviation International Aloha Chapter to provide young women between ages 12-17 a peek into what a career in aviation would look like. Mahalo to our Women in Aviation International Aloha Chapter and our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana who volunteered their time to help inspire and educate the next generation of future female leaders! #PualaniProud #HawaiianAirlines #GIAD2024 #GirlsinAviation ♬ original sound – summer audios

During the weekend, forty girls spent time at Hawaiian Airlines’ training center where they participated in activities that simulated the role of flight attendants, pilots, ground handlers, air traffic controllers, and other roles in aviation.

“Mahalo to our Women in Aviation International Aloha Chapter and our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana who volunteered their time to help inspire and educate the next generation of future female leaders!” Hawaiian Airline said on its social media post

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In previous years, Hawaiian Airlines has also been engaged in the same initiative with Women in Aviation International to encourage young women to take up careers in aviation. 

In November 2023, the airline celebrated its first all-female, all-part Hawaiian pilot crew. The three pilots who operated flight HA90 from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) all have parents who are current or former Hawaiian Airlines employees.

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With its mixed fleet of both narrow-bodied and wide-bodied aircraft (which includes the Airbus A380), and with plans to significantly grow its fleet over the next five-plus years, Etihad offers extensive opportunities for those seeking a rewarding and varied flying career.  

But what does a career as a pilot with Etihad involve, what does a typical month flying for the airline look like, and what are the benefits of flying for one of the world’s leading carriers?  

Recruiting for future growth

Since its inaugural flight in 2003, Etihad has earned itself a strong reputation and leading position in both the Middle East and global airline markets. Continuing along the path to extend its reach even further, the airline is currently engaged in an expansion and fleet optimization program to expedite its future growth.

A key part of that plan is the launch of an extensive recruitment drive aiming to attract talented pilots to the company. This comes during an exciting period of growth, which will see both new aircraft types and new destinations being added to the airline’s operation. 

Etihad is currently in the process of seeking applications for a wide range of flying positions, both for an immediate start as well as further ahead in the coming years, as the company expands to meet soaring demand for its passenger and cargo services. For a full list of current opportunities, please click on this link. 

Having run a series of pilot recruitment roadshows throughout July 2024 and with more to come later in the year, Etihad is continuing its drive to fill open positions across its modern fleet of short, medium, and long-haul aircraft. Pilots who may not yet fulfill the Etihad selection criteria but may wish to join Etihad in the future are also being encouraged to register their interest with the airline.

Etihad today and beyond

Etihad currently employs over 1,700 pilots operating one of the world’s newest fleets of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. This includes the Airbus A320, A321, A350, and A380, alongside an extensive fleet of Boeing aircraft, including one of the world’s largest fleets of 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliners, as well as a number of 777-300ERs

The airline recently announced that it will operate the A380 until at least 2032 and is one of the last remaining carriers offering the chance to fly this iconic aircraft.  

Etihad’s pilots fly to more than 70 destinations across Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America.

The airline continues to grow its network and in June 2024, commenced flights to Bali, Jaipur, and Al Qassim, as well as several seasonal destinations including the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, Nice in the French Riviera, and the holiday resorts of Malaga in Spain and Antalya in Turkey.

As one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, Etihad will double its fleet size by 2030 compared to 2022. This growth trajectory will offer pilots significant career progression and promotion opportunities, making Etihad a highly attractive employer for ambitious pilots looking to build a solid career. 

The life of an Etihad pilot

Flying for Etihad brings with it a career that few other international airlines can match. Just as the company aspires to create meaningful experiences for its passengers, it is as equally committed to delivering a remarkably thoughtful employee experience through its culture, creativity, and innovation, plus the opportunity to enjoy a varied flying career, unlike other carriers.  

Regardless of which fleet a pilot is assigned, all pilots flying for Etihad are assured a varied flying career serving an eclectic mix of destinations, and the opportunity to fly the latest commercial aircraft using cutting-edge technology on the flight deck to support them in their role and to build on their flying experience.

To encourage this, unlike many other carriers, the airline offers its pilots the opportunity to transfer between fleets and to operate several different aircraft types. The company also offers clear and defined career progression plans that provide a pathway to personal development and fulfillment.   

This includes for first officers, the chance to work towards achieving a command position once suitable experience and skills are attained.

With its modern and diverse aircraft fleet, Etihad pilots have the choice of an equally diverse range of flying activities. While those flying short-haul routes can expect to end each assignment in Abu Dhabi, pilots flying medium and long-haul routes are afforded a generous amount of time downroute and are accommodated in some of the finest hotels available in each of the airline’s destination cities.

One key ethos at Etihad is that of continuous training and development among its pilot workforce. Those flying for the airline enjoy access to some of the highest experienced training captains in the industry, while the diverse nature of the flying activities undertaken constantly provides new environments and airports in which pilots can hone their skills and broaden their overall experience. 

Lastly, Etihad’s diverse pilot community works alongside 142 nationalities that make up the Etihad family, providing a culturally diverse environment in which to work. 

The benefits

For those joining Etihad as a pilot, the range of non-flying benefits on offer is highly competitive and rewarding. These benefits included market-leading tax-free salaries, generous per diem allowances, and other expenses while downroute on company duty travel.  

Additionally, concessionary international air travel for the individual and their families is provided (subject to the completion of an initial period of service), plus numerous other travel industry discounts, and complimentary gym memberships.  

The company also provides comprehensive healthcare insurance coverage for pilots and their relatives, ensuring that the highest levels of healthcare are available as and when required. Additionally, the airline offers an allowance for schools within Abu Dhabi, so long as children have an Etihad-sponsored visa.  

Lastly, a career with Etihad offers the chance to build a life for yourself and your family in the eclectic and cosmopolitan city of Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s most vibrant modern metropolises. 

The location

Commencing a flying career with Etihad brings the additional benefit of being based in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s premier global destinations for lifestyle, leisure, and family-based activities. 

Ranked as one of the world’s safest cities, Abu Dhabi offers a friendly and lively environment, with a pace that can be dictated by personal preference. The city boasts one of the highest living standards globally, while the local culture is focused on family-friendly environments, thriving communities with excellent facilities, exceptionally low crime rates, and a stable government.   

A huge range of high-quality accommodations is available across Abu Dhabi for those who join Etihad, while in terms of education, Abu Dhabi boasts a range of government and private schools, catering to all nationalities and ability levels. Equally, for employees and their families, Abu Dhabi provides access to the highest quality of medical professionals, as well as hospitals and health clinics. 

In summary

Becoming a pilot for Etihad should be seen as a lifestyle decision rather than simply a career move alone. The opportunity to fly for Etihad combines a rewarding flying career with one of the world’s leading airlines with a life based in one of the world’s most dynamic and progressive cities. 

With excellent opportunities to expand your flying experience on several different types of aircraft, rosters that allow for a healthy work-life balance, and a package of industry-leading benefits that are unmatched elsewhere, there has simply not been a better time to consider continuing your flying career with Etihad.

The company urges anyone interested in flying for Etihad either now or in the future to get in touch with its recruitment team. A career and lifestyle that you as a pilot, as well as your family, can enjoy, embrace, and thrive upon awaits.   

Etihad begins huge recruitment drive to find its future pilot workforce   

• Airlines
• Aviation Career
• SPONSORED

ByAeroTime Advisory

June 27, 2024

According to the company’s 2024 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO), which was published on July 22, 2024, the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, global airlines will need 674,000 new pilots, 716,000 new maintenance technicians and 980,000 new cabin crew members to fly and maintain the global commercial fleet over the next 20 years. 

“Driven by aviation traffic trending above pre-pandemic levels, personnel attrition and commercial fleet growth, the demand for aviation personnel continues to rise,” said Chris Broom, vice president, Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services in a press release.  

It is estimated that more than half of these global aviation personnel will be required in Eurasia, China and North America. Over the next 20 years, the demand for aviation staff is predicted to triple in South Asa, South-East Asia and Africa, as these regions are experiencing the fastest growth.  

Predictions indicate that most new aviation crews will operate single aisle aircraft. Meanwhile, wide-body aircraft will be the primary choice for flying operations in Africa and the Middle East.  

Two thirds of the new employees will be required to fill in for those who are leaving the aviation sector and the remaining third will be allocated for fleet growth.  

Boeing also released its 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), in which the company projected a 3% rise in aircraft deliveries over the next 20 years, with carriers requiring nearly 44,000 new commercial airplanes by 2043. The company forecasts that, within 20 years, the global air cargo fleet will have increased by two thirds to support 4.1% annual air cargo traffic growth. 

With a current mixed fleet of narrow-bodied and wide-bodied aircraft, including the Airbus A380, and plans to significantly grow its fleet over the next five-plus years, Etihad offers extensive opportunities for a flying career. There’s also the additional benefit of being based in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s premier global destinations for lifestyle, leisure and family-based activities. 

About Etihad  

Since its first flight in 2003, Etihad has forged a strong position both within the Middle East market and globally. Now serving over 70 destinations, the airline is currently engaged in significant planning for future expansion and fleet optimization.   

A key part of that plan is the launch of an extensive recruitment drive aiming to attract talented pilots to the company. This comes during an exciting period of growth, which will see both new aircraft types and new destinations being added to the airline’s operation.  

Etihad’s diverse fleet currently includes the Airbus A320, A321, A350, and the A380, the latter of which will be in service until at least 2032.  

Etihad also operates an extensive fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, plus 787-9s and 787-10s Dreamliners, with more aircraft joining the fleet soon.  

Etihad pilot recruitment 

To fill both present and future pilot vacancies, Etihad has embarked on the largest recruitment drive in its 21-year history. The carrier is seeking applications from qualified First Officers and Captains who are keen to progress their careers as part of a forward-thinking, ambitious and progressive international airline.  

As such, Etihad is keen to hear from anyone who meets the prescribed criteria for the following positions and the requirements for the right to live and work in Abu Dhabi.   

Captain positions – A320, A350, A380 

First Officer positions – A320, A350, A380, 777/787 (rated), 777/787 (non-rated) 

For full details of these open positions, please click on this link.

A major aspect of the recruitment campaign is that potential applicants will have the opportunity to find out more about the company, its culture, and ambitions, along with more specific details on the above opportunities, at a series of recruitment roadshows being hosted by Etihad in various cities over the coming weeks.   

At these events, attendees will get the chance to speak with members of the recruitment team regarding specific openings, as well as discussing the lifestyle aspects of being an Etihad pilot with those who know best – current flight crew and management pilots with the company. 

It should be noted that Etihad’s recruitment drive is not only seeking to find new pilots for the present time but rather for the next few years, as the process is planned to be ongoing. The invitation to the roadshows is extended to those who may not be ready to make the switch at present but might consider Etihad as part of their own professional development plan at some point in the future. 

As a key corporate value of Etihad, family inclusion is paramount. Therefore, spouses and partners of potential applicants are also actively encouraged to attend the roadshows to see first-hand what life in Abu Dhabi can offer families of Etihad employees.  

For a full list of upcoming roadshow dates, see below.  

Working for Etihad 

Flying for Etihad brings with it benefits that few other international airlines can match. Just as the company aspires to create meaningful experiences for its passengers, it is as equally committed to delivering a remarkably thoughtful employee experience through its culture, creativity and innovation, plus the opportunity to enjoy a varied flying career unlike that with other carriers. 

Etihad has rosters that allow for flexibility and ample downtime, a modern and diverse fleet that offers an equally diverse range of flying activities and offers the chance to transfer between fleets and operate different types. It also has clear and defined career progression plans that provide a pathway to personal development and fulfilment.  

Additionally, the range of non-flying benefits Etihad offers to pilots is industry leading. These include competitive tax-free salaries, concessionary air travel and numerous other travel industry discounts, health insurance, and gym membership. Plus, there’s the chance to build a life for yourself and your family in the eclectic and cosmopolitan city of Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s most vibrant modern metropolises.         

Combined, these benefits make flying for Etihad a highly attractive proposition for suitably qualified applicants. Becoming an Etihad pilot can be seen as less of a career choice are more of a lifestyle decision that pilots and their families can enjoy, embrace and thrive by being part of. 

Abu Dhabi – simply the place to be 

Ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, Abu Dhabi has something for everyone. It is a friendly and lively environment, with a pace that can be dictated by personal preference. Slowing down with lazy beach days or dining and socializing the evening away are both possible within the vibrant city and its desert surroundings.  

The city boasts one of the highest living standards globally, while the local culture is focused on family-friendly environments, thriving communities with excellent facilities, exceptionally low crime rates and a stable government.  

A huge range of high-quality accommodation is available across Abu Dhabi for those who join Etihad. There are plenty of flexible renting options, from serviced apartments to shared housing, apartments and villas. The districts of Al Reef, Al Muneera, Khalifa City A, Al Zeina, and Yas Island are all just a short drive away from Etihad’s headquarters and the newly opened state-of-the-art terminal at Zayed International Airport – Etihad’s home base. 

In terms of education, Abu Dhabi boasts a range of government and private schools, catering to all nationalities and ability levels. Additionally, the airline offers an allowance for schools within Abu Dhabi, so long as children have an Etihad-sponsored visa.  

For new employees and their families, Abu Dhabi offers the highest quality of medical professionals, as well as hospitals and health clinics, while Etihad provides unrivaled healthcare insurance coverage for pilots and their relatives.  

From the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race to its award-winning theme parks, Abu Dhabi is guaranteed to satisfy all those who seek adventure.  Additionally, the needs of high-adrenaline seekers are catered to by Ferrari World and desert-based adventures, while those who seek something more sedate may appreciate the art collection at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. 

Dates for roadshows 

Initially, the upcoming roadshows hosted by the Etihad pilot recruitment team will visit eight cities across Europe, with further cities to be added over the months ahead. 

Each roadshow listed below is split into two sessions, with the first session lasting from 09:30 to 11:30 and the second session from 12:00 to 14:00. All times are local for each event location.       

• June 29, 2024 – Larnaca, Cyprus 
• July 1, 2024 – Sofia, Bulgaria  
• July 3, 2024 – Tirana, Albania 
• July 5, 2024 – Bucharest, Romania 
• July 7, 2024 – Cluj, Romania  
• July 9, 2024 – Budapest, Hungary 
• July 11, 2024 – Warsaw, Poland  
• July 13, 2024 – Vilnius, Lithuania 
• July 14, 2024 – Online pilot roadshow  

Individuals interested in attending any of the upcoming roadshows (with or without their spouses and partners) are requested to register in advance by clicking on this link.  

Etihad’s pilot recruitment team is looking forward to meeting as many potential applicants as possible at these roadshows. They’re hoping to ensure that the airline’s future fleet and global operation remain in the capable hands of talented, conscientious and ambitious pilots, seeking a varied, engaging and rewarding career and lifestyle.

Should you decide that Etihad might be the airline to fulfil your personal career aspirations, you are warmly invited to attend one of the roadshows where the Etihad recruitment team will be waiting to meet you.

The new training center is located close to Gulfstream’s HQ and production facility, and it has the capacity for as many as four full-flight simulators (FFS).  

The Savannah facility is the first executive aviation training center to be built exclusively for Gulfstream and CAE’s fifth in the United States, adding to those it already operates in New Jersey, Nevada, Texas and Florida. CAE also operates a sixth North American executive jet training center in its home city of Montreal. 

The new center officially opened on June 20, 2024, but one simulator, that for Gulfstream G550 aircraft, has actually been in operation since January 2024. 

A second simulator, for Gulfstream G280, is expected to become operational in July 2024. 

CAE will also offer a maintenance training program for Gulfstream G280, G650, and G500/G600 jets. In this regard, CAE has been pioneering the use of virtual reality tools, which reduces the need for real aircraft to be available during the training. 

Operators worldwide are currently stepping up efforts to train more pilots and technicians, as the industry is facing labor shortages. CAE expects that the executive jet industry will need 32,000 new pilots and 74,000 MRO technicians by the year 2032. 

Atlantis Flight Academy CEO and owner Alfredo Diez was tragically killed in a Virginia private plane crash that also claimed the lives of Diez’s wife and three-year-old son. 

Shortly after Diez’s passing, Atlantis Flight Academy was shut down, leaving more than a hundred students at a crossroads regarding continuing their education.

Media outlet Local 10 reported that the students were advised that the training hours they had studied and worked for, including the thousands of dollars they paid for school tuition, were “gone for good.”

Creditors went to court and filed big claims against the flight academy immediately after Diez’s passing.

Local 10 quoted a probate attorney for the owners’ estate as saying that the estate has to go through the legal process, and creditors have to be paid in a certain order.

“In this case, there are bank loans that are secured creditors and unfortunately, they are in a priority position over the students,” the probate attorney said. “It’s an unfortunate situation, but the law must be adhered to.”

Attorneys representing 20 flight academy students told CBS Miami that the students are in a difficult position, “through no fault of their own.”

“While we offer our condolences and empathize with the family’s loss, the students fear for their future, both occupationally and economically,” the attorneys said. “These students now have to claw back their monies from a school that is no longer viable and whose assets are presently being marshaled.” 

“Unfortunately, the students will now be required to find another school which is properly accredited which will hopefully understand that they have already paid once for their education,” the attorneys continued.

The matter is currently under the jurisdiction of the probate court of Broward County.

These are just some of the “significant and exciting” changes that Emirates is making to its pilot recruitment program.

The Dubai-based airline announced the launch of a global drive to recruit pilots across its First Officers, Direct Entry Captains, and Accelerated Command Programmes:

First Officers – non-type rated

Emirates is welcoming non-type-rated First Officers. These pilots will now have the opportunity to be fully trained to fly the airline’s all-wide-body fleet of 144 Boeing aircraft across its network. 

Accelerated Command Programme for Boeing 777s

Emirates has now extended its Accelerated Command Programme (ACP) to its fleet of Boeing 777s – which so far was reserved for its signature A380 aircraft. This is an opportunity for captains flying narrow-body aircraft to graduate to wide-body on Emirates’ fast track promotion program.

Direct Entry Captain – A350 fleet

The airline is now calling for Direct Entry Captains (DEC) to command its anticipated A350 fleet of 65 aircraft. As an added incentive, Emirates has also increased the base salary for the new recruits on both the A350s and A380s. Deliveries of the A350s will start mid-year and serve both new and existing destinations. The airline continues to welcome DECs for its fleet of A380s.

First Officers 

Emirates is offering enhanced salary packages for First Officers with experience of over 4,000 flying hours on modern fly-by-wire Airbus or Boeing aircraft.

Interested pilots who would like to learn more about the various Emirates flight deck roles can find more information on entry requirements here.

Emirates pilot benefits

Pilots at Emirates receive a competitive tax-free salary, are eligible for profit share, and are provided spacious villas in gated communities, education allowance, and life, medical and dental cover. Pilots also have access to a provident fund and receive regular and complimentary financial advice.

Pilots are also provided chauffeur-driven transport to and from work, laundry services, 42 days annual leave and enjoy concessional cargo and discounted travel benefits for their family and friends.

In 2024, Emirates’ recruitment team will host pilot recruitment roadshows in more than 26 cities in over 18 countries.

In July 2022, a bill was passed by the US Congress raising the retirement age of a pilot serving in multi crew covered operations to 67. In July 2023, the US House voted 351-69 in favor of the bill.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told US Congress in a letter seen by Reuters that additional scientific research should first be conducted before deciding whether or not to raise the retirement age.

“It is crucial to provide the agency an opportunity to conduct research and determine mitigations,” Whitaker said in the letter.

Whitaker added the change should be backed by appropriate research so that the FAA can measure any risk.

Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), which represents more than 77,000 pilots at 43 US and Canadian airlines, is urging members to voice their opposition to local senators. 

ALPA said that raising the retirement age beyond 65 would disrupt US global operations because it would not be in compliance with international standards. 

“It would upend pilot bidding, reduce pilot utilization, create training backlogs, imperil flight operation, expose your union and airlines to significant legal liability, and ultimately require hard-fought-for collective bargaining agreements to be reopened to deal with this issue and its ramifications,” ALPA said on its website.

The current FAA regulation states that there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65.

The news was announced on the first day of Wings India 2024, taking place in Hyderabad, India. from January 18 t0 21, 2024.  

This brand-new 3,300 sq. ft. facility will be equipped with at least 10 simulators as well as the related classrooms and briefing and debriefing rooms. These will be used to train pilots on the latest models of Airbus family aircraft.  

It is expected that up to 5,000 pilots will pass through the new center within a decade of it opening in 2025. 

Airbus has sold hundreds of aircraft in India over the last couple of years, to the point that there was even speculation in the media that the European manufacturer could be considering a local assembly line in the country. However, this is something that Airbus’ CEO, Guillaume Faury, later denied. 

News of the training center comes just months after Air India placed an order for 250 Airbus aircraft (140 A321neo, 70 A320neo, 20 A350-900 and 20 A350-1000 aircraft) at the 2023 Paris Air Show in June 2023. 

JAL Engineering Company is a subsidiary of JAL in charge of aircraft maintenance. Together with ANA Holding, it will offer up to JPY 500,000 ($3,500) annually in interest free tuition to those enrolled at nine designated training schools across Japan beginning the fiscal year of 2024 onwards.

A report by Japanese media outlet Japan Weekend stated that up to 100 students per grade entering the nine schools will be eligible for the scholarship. Screenings will be conducted if scholarship applicants exceed that number.

Scholarship recipients will be required to pay back the tuition fees within eight years of completing the program. Fees can be waived if scholars secure employment with JAL or ANA and if they are able to obtain necessary national certifications.

ANA and JAL believe that the pathway offers students the ability to enter the industry without the burden of significant debt. 

The two companies have also opened the scholarship program to  other airlines in order to give broader support to the industry.

“Securing human resources is an industry-wide issue. We made a move looking several years into the future,” Ryo Tamura, President at JAL Engineering, said in a press statement.

Toshihiro Miyamae, Executive Vice President at ANA, said: “We hope to alleviate [students’] financial burden as much as possible.”

The scholarship aims to resolve the decline in the number of aircraft mechanics in Japan due to retirement coupled with dwindling enrollment numbers at training schools. 

In his new role, Edwards’ will be focusing on the growth of Chapman Freeborn’s passenger business and its setup in the region, as well as retaining the key aspects of his role as General Manager, UK. This position is vital to the recruitment drive where the business is expanding into more of Europe, including France, Italy, Switzerland, Iberia and the Nordics.

Starting with Chapman Freeborn as General Manager UK in early 2023, Edwards’ brought his wealth of aviation experience, from working with companies such as Airways Aviation Ltd, British Airways, American Airlines and Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd. His vast knowledge across various sectors, including commercial flight training, airline revenue growth and MRO (maintenance, repairs and overhaul), ideally place him to lead the company’s expansion into new markets and develop the business further. Edwards’ has built an extensive network of contacts and cultivated strong relationships with key suppliers, enabling the business to grow and expand across Europe.

Edwards’ is looking forward to expanding the business into Europe, adding: “With an ever-growing market, now is the right time to invest and grow our presence within Europe, and I’m excited to take on this new challenge. This role enables me to focus on expanding our customer base and developing new strategies that will benefit the company and its stakeholders. Chapman Freeborn has invested in the latest technology and, by closely monitoring trends in the market, we are well equipped to provide an unrivalled service to our customers. Knowing that we have the best team of charter experts in the industry, makes us confident that our customers will always have the best experience possible.”

Reto Hunziker, President – Europe, said: “I am delighted to congratulate James on his well-deserved promotion. James has quickly become a valuable member of our team, and I am thrilled to recognize his hard work and dedication with this promotion. James has already been instrumental in implementing new strategies to reach our goals and achieve success, and I am confident that he will continue to be an asset to our team in his new role. Congratulations once again to James on this promotion, and I look forward to seeing the great work he will continue to do for our company.”

Below, we explore the Top 5 useful strategies to pay for your flight training and help you achieve your aviation dreams more quickly. 

Top 5 ways to pay for your flight training

Airline-sponsored training 

One of the most sought-after methods of funding flight training is through an airline-sponsored program. Many major airlines offer such training programs for aspiring pilots. These programs typically involve a contractual commitment for graduates to work for the airline for a specified period after obtaining their pilot’s license. While this route may require a serious degree of dedication and patience, it can significantly reduce your training costs and provide a clear career path. 

For example, airBaltic offers an Ab-Initio pilot training program, which allows individuals to obtain their ‘Frozen’ EASA ATPL (European Aviation Transport Pilot License) within approximately 24 months. This program is designed for those without prior aviation education or experience. 

Students of the airBaltic Pilot Academy pay €25,000 for their training up to the private pilot license (PPL) level. After successfully passing the airBaltic pilot assessment and becoming an employee of the company, airBaltic covers the remaining costs of their studies. The total cost of the program, including all training phases, amounts to €89,000 per student.

Flight school loan 

Taking out a loan to cover your flight training expenses is a common approach. Various financial institutions offer specialized loans for aviation education. Before committing to a loan, it’s crucial to research interest rates, repayment terms and eligibility criteria. Be sure to calculate the total cost of the loan over time to ensure that it aligns with your future earning potential as a pilot. 

For instance, Germany’s Lufthansa, in partnership with Albatros, provides a training loan option. Qualified candidates have the option to secure a loan with a fixed interest rate, ranging from €25,000 to €100,000, to cover their training expenses, with a repayment period of up to ten years. 

Join the military (for military-sponsored training) 

For those with a strong desire to serve their country, joining the military could be an obvious path to flight training. The U.S. Armed Forces (USAF), for example, offers comprehensive flight training programs, including the Army’s Warrant Officer Flight Training (WOFT) program and the Air Force’s Officer Training School. In return for your service, you’ll receive top-notch training and often gain valuable flight hours, too.

Get a scholarship or a grant 

Scholarships and grants are a useful way to alleviate the financial burden of flight training. Scholarships are typically awarded based on various criteria, such as academic achievement or specific factors, such as being a member of a particular group or pursuing a certain field of study. Unlike loans, grants are usually non-repayable. Grants can be used for a wide range of purposes, including education, scientific research, community development, charitable activities and more. 

Numerous organizations, including aviation associations, private foundations and universities, offer scholarships specifically for aspiring pilots. These awards can cover various aspects of training, from tuition to flight hours. Research and apply for as many relevant scholarships as possible, to maximize your chances of financial assistance. 

As an example, AOPA Flight Training Scholarships help to cover the costs associated with flight training for individuals seeking either their primary pilot certificate or advanced ratings. In 2019, AOPA awarded over $1 million in scholarships to individuals including high school students, educators and adults in flight training.  

Note: Examine the opportunities at national, state and local levels. Also, you can investigate funding options tailored to women, minorities or other specific groups if you meet the eligibility criteria. 

Work in a flight school 

Working in a flight school can be a win-win situation. Many flight schools offer opportunities for aspiring pilots to work as instructors or in administrative roles while completing their training. A highly strategic path to attaining your airline transport pilot position involves obtaining certification as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). By becoming a flight instructor, the flight hours you dedicate to teaching others to fly will count toward the flight hour requirements for your license.  

Additionally, you will receive compensation for your instructional services, which can be used to cover tuition expenses. It’s important to bear in mind that you must already possess a PPL and a CFI before pursuing this avenue. Also, note that working at a flight school can provide you with valuable industry contacts and networking opportunities.

In summary: Top 5 ways to pay for your flight training 

These Top 5 strategies offer diverse paths to finance flight training, catering to individuals’ goals, financial situations and career aspirations. Careful research and consideration are essential to selecting the most suitable option for embarking on the exciting journey towards becoming a pilot. 

Up until October 8, 2023, Alaska Airlines is accepting applications for its Ascend Pilot Academy program based in Portland, Oregon. 

The Ascend Pilot Academy is a new flight training  program designed for aspiring commercial pilots with little or no flying experience. 

Students will complete an intensive training and experience-building program before joining Horizon Air as a First Officer. Horizon Air is an American regional airline and a subsidiary of the Alaska Air Group.

According to Alaska Airlines, the program is designed to help all aspiring pilots, including those who may need financial support to make their dream of a flying career a reality.

Those accepted onto the program will receive a stipend of $26,463 towards their commercial pilot certificate and up to $3,500 to cover the Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument Certificate (CFII).

The program, which is located at the Hillsboro Aero Academy in Hillsboro & Redmond Oregon, can be finished within three to three-and-a-half years.

Once all training, certificate and flight experience requirements have been completed, graduates must commit to a minimum of two years working as a pilot for Horizon Air.

The airline states that an opportunity to join Alaska Airlines as a First Officer is available as part of the Pilot Pathways program once eligibility is met.

Full details, including requirements, complete benefits and rewards can be found here.

Marijus Ravoitis, CEO of BAA Training, stated: “Today marks a milestone in the BAA Training journey as we proudly open our new, already fourth simulator training center. Amidst the aviation industry facing the challenges of a pilot shortage, the timing couldn’t be better for us to establish this facility. We remain confident in our commitment to meet and exceed industry needs, shaping the future of aviation.”

Being near Paris-Orly Airport, the second-largest airport serving Paris after Charles de Gaulle Airport, as well as the 11th busiest airport in Europe, will provide BAA Training with networking opportunities with airlines and other aviation-related businesses, leading to potential partnerships and clients. In addition to catering to Transavia’s needs.

Olivier Mazzucchelli, CEO of Transavia France, said by way of compliment: “BAA Training and Transavia France share the same DNA: safety first and efficient operations with a fast-growing, entrepreneurial and agile mindset. BAA Training demonstrated its understanding of our needs from day one to support our growing and challenging training plan on B737NG and from Q3 2023 – on A320neo.”

Currently, the facility accommodates three full-flight simulators (B747-400 and two B737 NGs), and the fourth – A320neo – will be ready for training at the beginning of November. In 2024-2025, two more full-flight simulators will be added. Other equipment to enhance pilot training includes the A320/321 and B737 Door Trainers, A320/321 Cabin Crew Emergency Evacuation Trainer, A320/B737 Slide, Real Fire Fighting Trainer, and B737 FTD. Moreover, A320 FTD Level 1 and B737 NG Level 2 are on their way and will be installed by the end of the year.

BAA Training is open to onboarding more customers to train at BAA Training France, along with offering its partners worldwide a broader range of training locations from now on. Vytautas Ledakas, Managing Director of BAA Training France, offered praise of the cooperation: “I want to thank Transavia France for the trust placed in us as an organization and for recognizing our dedication to excellence in training. This partnership underscores our shared values and commitment to setting new benchmarks. Together, we will continue to innovate, adapt, and lead in this dynamic industry.”

BAA Training also has training facilities in Lithuania, Spain, and Vietnam and is actively expanding with ambitious projects on a global scale. The BAA Training consultancy center in India, New Delhi, is already operational, with a dedicated team in place and operations underway. Additional locations are also being considered for future expansion.

BAA Training is part of the Avia Solutions Group family, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, with a fleet of 192 aircraft. The group also provides a range of aviation services, including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and various associated services. Supported by 11,500 highly skilled aviation professionals, the group operates in 68 countries worldwide.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a flight attendant, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps and provide essential insights to help you achieve your goal. 

What Is a flight attendant? 

A flight attendant, also known as a cabin crew member or steward/stewardess, is a trained airline professional responsible for ensuring the safety, comfort and well-being of passengers during flights. Their primary role is to assist and attend to passengers throughout the journey, from the moment they board the aircraft until they disembark. 

Understanding the role 

Before you set off on your journey to becoming a flight attendant, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the role. Their duties include: 

• Ensuring passengers’ safety by providing pre-flight safety demonstrations and responding to emergency situations. 
• Observing passengers for unusual behavior. 
• Assisting passengers with boarding, seating and stowing carry-on baggage. 
• Assisting passengers with young children or specific health needs.  
• Serving food and beverages and attending to passengers’ requests. 

• Maintaining a clean cabin. 
• Providing excellent customer service and resolving passenger issues. 
• Ensuring the cabin is secured during takeoff and landing. 
• Assisting passengers in disembarking safely after landing. 

What requirements do you need to meet to become a flight attendant? 

To pursue a career as a flight attendant, you need to meet specific minimum requirements: 

• Age: candidates are required to be a minimum of 18 to 21 years of age.  
• Education: a high school diploma or equivalent is required, although some airlines may prefer candidates with post-secondary education. 
• Language Skills: fluency in English is essential, and proficiency in other languages can be an advantage, particularly if you plan to work for international airlines. 

• Physical Requirements: flight attendants must meet certain physical requirements, such as height (to reach the overhead bins) and weight restrictions to perform their duties effectively. Also, it’s necessary to have good, clear vision – at least 20/40. 
• Legal Eligibility: you must be legally eligible to work in the country where the airline is based. 
• Clear criminal background check. 
• Willingness to relocate, if necessary. 
• Completion of airline-specific training programs. 

Do requirements for flight attendants reflect the current day and age?

• Civil Aviation

ByAerviva

February 9, 2023

Gain relevant skills and experience 

To stand out as a flight attendant candidate, it’s beneficial to acquire relevant skills and experience: 

• Customer Service: develop your customer service skills, as this is a fundamental aspect of the job. 
• First Aid and CPR Certification: many airlines require flight attendants to have certification in First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 
• Communication: enhance your communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with passengers and crew members. 

• Conflict Resolution: learn conflict resolution techniques, as dealing with difficult passengers can be part of the job. 

10 steps to become a flight attendant  

Here’s a list of 10 common steps to follow on your journey to becoming a flight attendant: 

Complete your education 

To become a flight attendant, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development) test. While it’s not obligatory, having a bachelor’s degree could enhance your chances of being hired. Particularly advantageous degrees include those in fields such as marketing, hospitality, public relations, tourism, or communication. 

Gain some work experience 

To boost your resume, it’s beneficial to have relevant work experience. Numerous airlines require a minimum of two years of experience in roles related to hospitality, customer service or sales. Airlines seek work experience that demonstrates your ability to endure extended periods on your feet, work extra hours when necessary, offer problem-solving skills and consistently deliver exceptional customer service. 

Research airlines and their requirements 

Different airlines may have varying requirements for flight attendant candidates. It’s worth researching various airlines to understand their specific qualifications, such as height and language preferences. Some airlines may also require candidates to relocate to a specific base city. 

Create a standout resume and cover letter 

Craft a compelling resume (with cover letter) that highlights your qualifications, skills and relevant experience. Tailor your application materials to each airline you apply to, showcasing why you’re an ideal fit for their particular team. 

Apply for open positions 

Some valuable platforms for aspiring flight attendants to explore job opportunities are LinkedIn, online job listings and the official websites of major airlines. Be prepared to submit your application promptly when positions become available.  

Prepare for the interview process 

Once you receive an invitation for an interview, prepare diligently. Flight attendant interviews typically include group exercises, one-on-one interviews and assessments of your customer service and problem-solving skills. Dress professionally and be ready to demonstrate your passion for the role. 

Attend flight attendant training 

If you successfully pass the interview process, you’ll undergo rigorous training provided by the airline. Training covers safety procedures, emergency protocols, and the specific policies of the airline. Be prepared for three to six weeks of intense training for eight hours a day, both in the classroom and through hands-on experience.  

Pass background checks and medical exams 

Airlines conduct thorough background checks and medical exams to ensure candidates meet their safety and security standards. You’ll be expected to provide references and undergo medical evaluations, including drug and alcohol testing. 

Pass FAA certification exams 

After finishing your training, if you are in the United States, your employer will submit an application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for your Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency. You will need a distinct certificate for each type of aircraft you are qualified to operate. To sustain your certification, you must also undertake annual training. 

Prepare to be put on a reserve line 

Flight attendants on reserve status frequently step in to cover shifts when colleagues are unable to work. After approximately a year, exceptional performance can lead to flight attendants being relieved of reserve duties, granting them the flexibility to transfer from their base airport and secure more favorable work schedules. 

How much do flight attendants earn? 

The salary of a flight attendant can differ significantly based on factors like experience, location, and the airline. However, the average annual salary for a flight attendant in the United States is around $84,146, though typically it varies between $71,577 and $100,019. Bear in mind that this figure can differ widely. 

How long does it take to become a flight attendant? 

The time it takes to become a flight attendant can vary. The training program provided by airlines usually lasts several weeks. However, the overall process, including the application, interviews and background checks, may take a few months, or up to one year.

What’s a flight attendant’s schedule like? 

Flight attendant schedules can be irregular and may include weekends, holidays and overnight flights. They often work in shifts, and their schedules can vary from month to month. 

Reserve flight attendants are typically on reserve duty for about 18 to 20 days each month, although it could be fewer. As reserve flight attendants accumulate more seniority, they may have the opportunity to enjoy additional days off. 

It’s important to mention that flight attendants also frequently enjoy complimentary hotel accommodation during layovers, which is one of the perks of their job.

Do you need a college degree? 

While a college degree is not usually a strict requirement for becoming a flight attendant, having one can be an advantage, especially when competing for positions at major airlines. However, many successful flight attendants only have a high school diploma.

What are airlines looking for in applicants? 

Airlines typically look for candidates who possess: 

• Strong customer service skills 
• Excellent communication abilities 
• Adaptability and the ability to work well in a team 
• A commitment to safety and professionalism 

• Cultural sensitivity and language skills for international routes 

Additionally, airlines may have specific requirements and preferences based on their individual needs and routes.

Pros & cons of becoming a flight attendant 

Pros: 

• Travel opportunities 
• Meeting diverse people 

• Competitive benefits like health insurance 
• Flexible schedules 
• Discounts on flights for personal travel 

Cons: 

• Irregular work hours 
• Time away from home and family 
• Physically demanding job 
• Dealing with difficult passengers 

• Entry-level pay may be modest 

Digital pioneers versus digital natives

Born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z is frequently referred to as the first generation that truly grew up in the digital age. They are extremely tech-savvy because they were raised in a technologically advanced environment. In contrast to 92% of Millennials, 97% of Gen Z hold smartphones, according to research by VisionCritical. Their job search process is significantly impacted by this penchant for technology. While this is not a big contrast, Jainita Hogervorst, Director of Aerviva Aviation Consultancy, a Dubai-based international consultancy specialising in aviation recruitment and document management, says that “companies should utilize digital platforms and optimize application procedures for mobile devices, with video interviews and virtual reality experiences into the hiring process to effectively engage Generation Z.” Fast and direct messaging supports improved engagement, and communication tactics to appeal to both generations, making sure to use a blend of email, messaging services, and in-person encounters during the hiring process. In recruiting both groups, look for candidates that have three traits: communication, practical experience, and big-picture thinking. A good communicator can adapt their teaching to the technical level of the audience. Additionally, seek out candidates who have field experience for the benefits of practical experience provided, often overlooked at school due to a narrow view of problems encouraged instead.  Many recently graduated engineers get buried in the details. While attention to detail is valuable, it also helps to keep the big picture in mind.

Work values and ambitions

The job values and professional aspirations of these two generations significantly differ from one another. Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials are frequently described as seeking meaning in life and a healthy work-life balance. In contrast, Generation Z shows a larger desire for career progression and financial security. In contrast to 63% of Millennials, 75% of Gen Z respondents to a Deloitte poll expressed a desire to hold leadership positions within the next five years.

Although they experienced the gig economy’s growth, Millennials frequently desired steady, full-time jobs. Meanwhile, Gen Z is demonstrating entrepreneurial and autonomous desires. Certain sectors of the aviation industry can capitalize on this, by promoting an innovative culture, allowing flexible work schedules, and offering chances for skill advancement and side projects. This speaks to the entrepreneurial and autonomous desires of Gen Z. The recruitment implication is that companies should highlight opportunities for growth and progression, emphasizing the possibility of leadership roles and financial benefits inside the company. To complement this desire, companies can for example, test engineers’ knowledge of fundamental engineering principles, including data structures, algorithm analysis, and computer science fundamentals. Such assessments go beyond technical skills, providing insights into candidates’ behavioral attributes, personalities, motivations, and their potential cultural fit within your organization.

Inclusion, diversity, and social values

Both generations value diversity and inclusiveness according to The Workforce Institute, with 77% of Generation Z and 74% of Millennials agreeing that innovation requires a diverse workforce, but they place differing priorities on these issues. While Generation Z places a stronger priority on gender diversity, Millennials often place more emphasis on cultural diversity. Recruiting for the aviation industry should emphasize dedication to diversity and inclusion. Additionally, the power to influence societal change among generations with strong moral convictions, such as Gen Z and Millennials, might make or break recruiting and retention attempts. Both groups have high expectations to make a positive social impact. Since both groups are likely attracted to a strong brand image, this gives a competitive edge, attracting both passive and active engineer candidates, as well as general flight crew, and other aviation professionals.

Sustainability and environmental impact

Both Generation Z and Millennials are increasingly concerned about environmental issues, including the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. According to a survey by Accenture, 78% of Generation Z and 64% of Millennials, respectively, agree that it is crucial for companies to take meaningful action on environmental issues. Moreover, according to Boeing, 61% of Millennials and 75% of Generation Z applicants indicate interest in aviation occupations that emphasize sustainable aviation solutions. This interest of applicants can be linked specifically to compelling crafted job descriptions that captivate the curiosity and innovation of candidates.

To accommodate the unique interests and ideals of each group, recruiters must modify their techniques. Hogervorst states further, “Organizations may position themselves to recruit and retain the greatest personnel from both generations by understanding these distinctions and adapting their strategy, accordingly, ensuring a varied and dynamic workforce for the future.”

In this article, we will delve into the various stages of becoming a commercial airline pilot, exploring exactly how long it takes to obtain the necessary licenses and certifications. From the initial step of obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL) to the advanced training required for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and beyond, we will highlight the milestones that pave the way to forging a successful career as a pilot.

Getting a pilot license 

The first step towards becoming a commercial airline pilot is obtaining a PPL. To be eligible for a PPL, aspiring pilots in the United States (US) and Europe must be at least 16 years old to fly solo and 17 years old to receive the private pilot certificate. Additionally, they need to obtain a third-class medical certificate and complete a minimum number of flight hours. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requires 45 hours of flight time, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires 40 hours. In practical terms, it generally requires approximately 50-70 hours of training to attain the necessary proficiency.  

The training for a PPL includes flight lessons and theoretical knowledge exams covering subjects such as aviation regulations, aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation and more. After completing the training, aspiring pilots must pass a practical flight test to demonstrate their flying skills and knowledge. 

On average, the whole process of obtaining a PPL usually takes about 6-12 months, although the specific timeline can vary depending on factors such as the flight school, individual student progress and other considerations. 

How difficult is it to become a commercial pilot?

• Aircraft

ByIan Molyneaux

April 15, 2023

Building necessary flight experience 

Flight hours 

After obtaining a PPL, aspiring pilots need to build flight experience. They must log a certain number of flight hours as per the requirements set by aviation authorities. For example, in Europe, aspiring commercial pilots need to have at least 250 hours of flight time, but in the US a 1,500-hour rule applies.  

As such, to become eligible for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate in the US a pilot must accumulate at least 1,500 total flight hours, including the specified flight hour categories: 

• A minimum of 500 hours of cross-country flight time 

• A minimum of 100 hours of night flight time 

• A minimum of 75 hours of instrument flight time (actual or simulated instrument conditions) 

• 250 hours as pilot in command 

• 50 hours of flight time specifically in the class of airplane for which the ATP certificate is sought (e.g., multi-engine airplanes or airplanes type-rated with a specific aircraft) 

Incidentally, the same categories apply in Europe, but the hour requirements are different.  

The ATP certificate is the highest level of pilot certification and is required to serve as a pilot-in-command for scheduled airline operations or in other commercial flying roles. It’s also important to note that US pilots need to be at least 23 years old in order to get an ATP. In Europe, the minimum age requirement for an ATP certificate is 21 years old. 

How do you become an airline pilot? Options, costs & other factors to consider

• International Pilots’ Day

ByVictoria Bryan

April 21, 2022

Entry-level flying jobs 

Here are some common entry-level flying jobs that pilots often pursue to accumulate flight experience: 

• Flight instructors: becoming a flight instructor is a popular path for pilots to gain experience. Flight instructors teach and train student pilots, which allows them to log flight hours while helping others learn to fly. 

• Banner tow pilots: banner tow pilots fly aircraft towing advertising banners. This job often involves flying in various weather conditions and requires precision and skill. 
• Aerial survey pilots: aerial survey pilots fly aircraft equipped with specialized sensors and cameras to collect data for mapping, agriculture, environmental monitoring and other purposes. 
• Skydiving pilots: pilots who accompany skydivers fly them to the desired altitude and ensure safe aircraft operations during the jumps. 
• Pipeline patrol pilots: pipeline patrol pilots monitor oil and gas pipelines from the air to detect leaks, damage, or potential issues. 
• Traffic watch pilots: traffic watch pilots provide real-time traffic updates for radio and TV stations by flying over congested areas and reporting on traffic conditions. 

By working in any of these jobs, pilots can build up their flight hours, gain valuable experience and improve their flying skills, all of which are necessary to meet the flight hour requirements for advanced certifications such as ATP. 

There are different possible ways forward at this stage in a pilot’s career. Some may be able to achieve the required hours within a couple of months, while others may take several years to reach that milestone. 

Private instrument rating 

The Instrument Rating (IR) is the next step for pilots after obtaining their PPL and a crucial milestone in their aviation career. With an IR, pilots gain the ability to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), which means they can fly through clouds, in low visibility, and during adverse weather conditions where visual references to the ground or horizon may be limited or nonexistent. This level of training enhances a pilot’s skills and safety, as it allows them to navigate solely by referring to instrumentation. 

The process of obtaining an IR typically involves the following steps: 

• Ground school: before starting the flight training, pilots undergo a ‘ground school’ to learn the theoretical knowledge required for instrument flying. This includes topics such as instrument procedures, flight planning, navigation techniques, weather interpretation and regulations related to instrument-based flight. 

• Flight training: flight training for the IR involves a specific number of hours of dual instruction with a certified flight instructor. During these lessons, pilots learn to control the aircraft solely by reference to instruments, while performing various maneuvers and procedures. They will practice tasks lsuch as flying solely on instruments, holding patterns, approaches and various emergency scenarios that may occur in IMC. 
• Cross-country flights: pilots will also undertake cross-country flights under instrument-based conditions to gain real-world experience in handling different types of airspace, air traffic control procedures, and communication in IMC. 
• Instrument rating written exam: after completing the required flight training, pilots must pass a written exam in order to demonstrate their knowledge of instrument flying concepts, procedures and regulations. 
• Practical test: once the flight training is complete and the written exam has been passed, pilots will undergo a practical test, commonly referred to as a checkride. This checkride involves a flight with an FAA-designated examiner or an authorized check pilot. During the checkride, pilots must demonstrate their ability to fly safely and competently under instrument-based conditions, including various maneuvers and procedures. 

Typically, it takes around 2-4 months for most individuals to complete the IR training. 

Commercial pilot license 

Once pilots have accumulated the required flight experience and completed the necessary training, they can apply for a commercial pilot license (CPL). This enables the pilot to fly for compensation or hire, so they can become a paid airline pilot, for example. The CPL training includes advanced flight maneuvers, cross-country flights and more.  

Here are the key aspects of obtaining a CPL: 

• Prerequisites: before starting CPL training, aspiring pilots must meet certain prerequisites set by the aviation authority of their country. In the US for example, these requirements include being at least 18 years old, holding a PPL, and meeting specific medical and English language proficiency standards. 
• Flight hours: as mentioned earlier, for European pilots at least 250 hours of flight time are required, or for US pilots 1,500 hours. 

On average, it takes about 6-12 months for most pilots to complete the CPL training and meet the requisite flight hours. However, this timeframe can be longer or shorter depending on how frequently the pilot flies, the weather conditions, the training program’s structure and other factors. 

Once a pilot obtains their CPL, they can pursue a career in aviation and work toward additional qualifications, such as an IR for more flying opportunities, or an ATP license. 

It is important to note that, for most aviation authorities, pilots do not need to have an IR before obtaining a CPL.  

Single-engine, multi-engine, and type ratings 

Single-engine, multi-engine and type ratings are additional certifications that pilots can pursue to expand their flying capabilities, increase career opportunities and enhance their employability, particularly in commercial aviation. Let’s take a closer look at each of these ratings: 

• Single-engine rating: this is the most basic rating that pilots typically achieve when they complete their PPL training. A single-engine rating allows a pilot to operate an aircraft that has only one engine. This is the starting point for most pilots and covers a wide range of general aviation aircraft used for personal and recreational flying. 
• Multi-engine rating: a multi-engine rating is an additional certification that allows a pilot to fly aircraft with more than one engine. Many commercial airliners and larger general aviation aircraft fall into this category. The multi-engine rating involves specialized training, which includes learning about the unique handling characteristics and performance considerations of multi-engine aircraft. Pilots also study engine-out procedures and how to manage emergencies related to multi-engine operations. 
• Type ratings: a type rating is a specialized certification required for pilots to operate specific aircraft models that have complex systems or performance characteristics. For commercial airline pilots, the type rating is a crucial step towards flying large transport-category aircraft, such as Boeing 737, Airbus A320, Boeing 787 or Airbus A350. Each aircraft model requires a specific type rating. 

Type ratings are regulated by aviation authorities and typically involve extensive training, both in the classroom and in full-flight simulators. Pilots undergo ground school, simulator sessions and practical flight training to demonstrate their proficiency in handling the specific aircraft type. 

In general, pilots pursuing single-engine and multi-engine ratings might complete their training in a few months, possibly a year, depending on their availability and progress. For type ratings, the time can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the aircraft’s complexity and the pilot’s prior experience with similar aircraft. 

Becoming a first officer 

Becoming a first officer is a significant milestone for pilots who have obtained their CPL and other necessary ratings. It marks the beginning of their professional flying career in commercial aviation. First officers, also known as co-pilots or second officers, work alongside the captain in the cockpit and play a crucial role in ensuring safe and efficient flight operations. 

Here are some key points about becoming a first officer: 

• Entry-level position: first officer positions are typically entry-level roles in commercial aviation, especially for pilots aiming to fly for regional or smaller airlines. While some airlines may hire new pilots directly as first officers, others might require candidates to have a minimum number of flight hours and experience in order to be eligible for this position. 
• Gain flight experience: working as a first officer allows pilots to accumulate valuable flight experience in real-world commercial operations. They get hands-on experience with multi-crew cockpit environments, airline procedures, and navigating through various types of airspace and airports. 
• Crew Resource Management (CRM): first officers learn and practice CRM, which emphasizes effective communication and teamwork in the cockpit. CRM training helps them work collaboratively with the captain and other crew members in order to make informed decisions during flights. 

• Career progression: as first officers gain experience and flight hours, they progress in their careers toward becoming pilot captains (also known as airline captains). Captaincy is the next step in the career ladder for commercial pilots and involves being in command of the aircraft. 
• Type rating: to work as a first officer in a specific aircraft type, pilots may need to undergo additional type rating training for that aircraft as mentioned earlier.  
• Continuing education and training: first officers are required to undergo regular recurrent training to stay current on regulations, procedures, and aircraft systems. This ongoing training ensures that they maintain the highest level of proficiency and safety standards. 
• Networking and experience building: while working as a first officer, pilots have the opportunity to network with industry professionals, including captains, flight attendants, and airline management. Building professional relationships can be beneficial for career advancement and potential job opportunities with larger airlines in the future. 
• Career advancement: many first officers got on to become pilot captains after gaining sufficient experience, meeting airline requirements and obtaining their ATP license.  

Attaining pilot captaincy 

Becoming a pilot captain is the pinnacle of a commercial pilot’s career. The timeline to achieve captaincy varies widely based on individual performance, experience, and opportunities for advancement within an airline.  

In total, then, the process for becoming a commercial airline pilot can take between 2 to 8 years approximately, or more depending on individual circumstances and the path taken. 

Airline captain duties and responsibilities explained

• Aviation Career

ByRosita Mickeviciute

June 30, 2023

Surprisingly, it’s a controversial subject, and attitudes to flight attendants’ ages vary considerably around the world.

The skies know no age

According to Jainita Hogervorst, Director of Aerviva Aviation Consultancy, a Dubai-based international consultancy specializing in aviation recruitment and document management, “Age restrictions for recruiting cabin crew personnel have been set by many airlines. They frequently specify that applicants must be at least 18 years old. On the other extreme, some would raise the upper age limit to 65, which would be in line with the average retirement age in many nations.”

Individual aviation regulation agencies determine the minimum age requirement for cabin crew is established at 18 years old by nearly all aviation agencies throughout the world, including the FAA in the USA, EASA in Europe, and the UK’s CAA.

This minimum regulatory age doesn’t stop airlines from adding their own higher minimum age requirements. As a result, the typical minimum age range for cabin crew is between 18-21.

Controversy arises over the cabin staff’s maximum age requirements.

The most lenient age limitations are often found in the United States, where most major airlines have no maximum age limit on applications or retirement ages. However, they vary widely around the world. Europe is not far behind. Some airlines, like British Airways, do not have retirement ages or maximum age requirements for applicants. Others, like Air France, do not have an age requirement for applications but have a 65-year-old flight attendant retirement age, which is the same as the pilot retirement age, even if the flight attendants are in good health and can pass all safety exams.

Pam Clarke, who works for EasyJet and is known as Nana Pam, to her regular customers is the oldest at 73, joining the company when she was 53. Many experienced flight attendants decide to retire in their 70s or even later. Robert Reardon holds the current record for the oldest retired flight attendant, having retired from Delta Air Lines in 2014 at the age of 90. Bette Nash is also among the oldest flight attendants, still working for American Airlines at the age of 87. However, most Asian and Middle Eastern airlines have obligatory retirement ages between 40 and 50.

Although these are specific airline policies, there is still no international standard for flight attendant retirement age. Many flight attendants, mostly from American and European airlines, put in many decades of honorable service with no upper age limit. This is important to note as the demand in aviation for new crew outpaces the supply and airlines seek solutions.

Post-pandemic realities

The pandemic quickly changed the aviation industry – it was reduced to one-third of its capacity during COVID-19. Uncertainty rose among airlines, pilots, and crew for as many as 40% of pilots and crew job security became the biggest concern, alongside low flying hours or holding no type rating. For 80% of airlines, the lack of regional talent in Europe was the main headache. Now, the aviation industry must meet new demands and the need to fill crew shortages.

According to Boeing, by 2042, there will be a global need for 649,000 new pilots and 938,000 new cabin crew members. According to Hogervorst, “based on data from Statista, over the next 20 years, Europe will require about 170,000 new flight attendants for commercial aviation and around 8,000 for business aviation. To address this, certain requirements have made a big shift, and some European airlines have even started recruiting people over the age of 45, these so-called ‘empty nesters’ for the flight attendant position.

Redefining retirement—flexible paths and new opportunities

A flexible approach to mandatory retirement age promotes career paths. Flight attendants can transition into certain positions that are available to flight attendants if they meet the requirements set by the airlines such as Senior Flight Attendant or Flight Attendant-Instructor. Other roles such as trainers, mentors, or ground staff, require appropriate requalification and additional training, in most cases but their wealth of experience is added to various aspects of the aviation industry. This adaptability not only benefits the individuals but also contributes to the overall growth of the industry.

Additionally, passengers benefit from age diversity among flight attendants. Younger attendants bring enthusiasm and modern perspectives, while their more experienced counterparts offer a calming presence and wealth of knowledge. This blend creates a balanced and enhanced passenger experience.

Without a set age for retirement reflects a commitment to shaping a sustainable and capable workforce. It also recognizes the value older crew members bring to the table.

A future unbounded

The notion of mandatory retirement age for cabin crew is a misconception that has been dispelled by the dynamic and diverse nature of the aviation industry. It is important to realize that health and working conditions have a direct impact on retirement age. Those who work in the civil aviation industry have the right to retire with preference because of the heightened risk associated with occupations that frequently experience variations in pressure, temperature, and climate as well as intense stress. However, flexible career paths allow cabin crew to transition into different roles point to the resiliency of the job. “The aviation industry has always been synonymous with pushing boundaries and reaching new heights, so the absence of a mandatory retirement age for cabin crew is a testament to this ethos,” says Hogervorst. One aspect is undeniable – regardless of their age, cabin crew members continue to dedicate their lives to ensure a smooth, safe, and comfortable journey for all passengers.

As our senior air charter broker, Paul brings in 10+ years of experience in aviation within North America and overall, 40+ years of experience within aviation in airline and business jet operations as nominated person ground operations. Not only is his expertise strongly operationally based, but Paul also has a deep understanding of the music and entertainment business having successfully arranged flights for many prominent artists and groups. He brings expert knowledge to the table, holding a special responsibility for developing music and entertainment as well as developing the business in many other areas.

Paul, who is delighted to have this role, expressed that “I am grateful to develop the Music and Entertainment division where our goal is to become the top choice provider to this industry and the many other facets of our business in general. It is our intention to be the Air Charter provider of choice, efficient, effective experts. Our company takes considerable pride in its culture and extremely high ethical standards, as well as processes that ensure our client’s requirements are managed in an exceptional manner.”

Skyllence specializes in the planning and provision of corporate, private, and group air charter flights worldwide. As part of the Avia Solutions Group family – the world’s largest ACMI provider, owning a fleet of 173 aircraft – Skyllence has the resources and expertise to offer comprehensive aviation services. With representation in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, Skyllence has established itself as a trusted partner for clients across business, sports, music, and culture. With resources like these behind us, we’re able to deploy solutions in critical situations with as little as five hours’ notice. Collaborating with us also grants clients access to the comprehensive ground infrastructure that the Avia Solutions Group operates alongside partners, ensuring private, stress-free airport terminals and an end-to-end experience of the highest quality.

VIPs, sports teams, celebrities, and high net-worth individuals have all experienced the quality of the travel solutions provided by Skyllence. Our corporate and group travel options cater to a diverse range of organizations, demonstrating our adaptability and commitment to meeting our clients’ needs.

“For clients seeking an efficient, professional, and expert air charter provider who also have a particularly good record in the music and entertainment business, Skyllence can be THE choice. We provide a superior service” added Paul.

Gegams Hanamirjans brings extensive experience, industry know-how and strong managerial skills to his new role, where he will oversee all facets of business development, growth initiatives, and day-to-day operations, leading the company to new heights of success.

Gegams Hanamirjans commented: “I am excited to take on this new role and continue further developing the JETMS Completions business. My goal is to strengthen its market position and reputation as the go-to source for top-tier aircraft interior and exterior solutions.”

Meanwhile, Stefan Chevalier joins the company from his previous role as Managing Director at F/LIST. As the Operational Director at JETMS Completions, he will be supporting Gegams Hanamirjans in the growth and development initiatives of the company. With a remarkable track record of over a decade in management, Stefan brings a wealth of expertise, leadership, and problem-solving skills to further strengthen the company’s management team.

Stefan shared his excitement by saying: “I am honoured to dedicate my time and passion to the JETMS Completions. Together with this highly motivated and experienced team, we will continue striving for our common goal of providing world-class aircraft solutions for interior refurbishment and production. By adding and sharing my expertise of more than 20 years of aviation experience, I am looking forward to exceeding our partner’s expectations in excellence and reliability.”

JETMS Completions is part of Avia Solutions Group, one of the world’s largest ACMI providers (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance), operating a fleet of 180 aircraft in 68 countries worldwide.

This article aims to provide you with an in-depth understanding of aviation background checks, including the requirements and the overall process. 

Why conduct aviation background checks? 

Aviation background checks are conducted to minimize risks and prevent individuals with questionable backgrounds from compromising the safety and security of air travel. These checks help to identify potential threats, criminal activity or any other factors that could pose a risk to aviation operations. By screening individuals involved in the industry, regulators and employers can ensure a safe and secure environment for both passengers and crew members. 

Also, thorough background checks are an integral part of the recruitment process to ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of potential candidates when entering the aviation industry. 

Requirements for aviation background checks 

The requirements for aviation background checks vary depending on the country, the regulatory authority and the specific role of the individual being screened.  

However, there are some common aspects that are typically considered during any screening process: 

Identity verification 

The first step of any background check is to verify the identity of the individual. This involves checking official documents such as passports, driver’s licenses or national identity cards to ensure the person’s identity matches the information they have provided. 

Criminal history check 

One of the most critical aspects of an aviation background check is examining an individual’s criminal history. This typically involves searching national and international criminal databases to identify any convictions, arrests or pending charges. The scope of the criminal history check may vary depending on the position, with more stringent checks for roles directly involved in flight operations. 

Employment and education verification 

Verifying an individual’s employment and education history is another crucial component of aviation background checks. This helps ensure that the person’s claimed experience and qualifications align with provable facts. Employers may contact previous employers or educational institutions to confirm dates of employment or attendance and gather additional information about the candidate’s performance. 

Financial history check 

Certain aviation positions, particularly those involving access to sensitive areas or financial responsibilities, may require a financial history check. This involves reviewing an individual’s credit history, bankruptcy records or any significant financial issues that could raise concerns about potential vulnerabilities to bribery, fraud or other illicit activities. 

Security clearances 

In some instances, aviation personnel may need to obtain security clearances from government agencies. These clearances involve a more rigorous background investigation, including interviews, reference checks, and a more comprehensive examination of the individual’s personal, professional and financial history. 

Aviation background check process 

The aviation background check process can be conducted by the relevant regulatory authority, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, or by individual employers who are responsible for hiring and screening their personnel. Although the exact process may differ slightly, the general steps involved are as follows: 

Application and consent 

The individual undergoing the background check must complete an application and provide written consent allowing the prospective employer or regulatory authority to conduct the screening. 

Information gathering 

The employer or regulatory authority collects the necessary information for the background check, including personal details, employment history, educational qualifications and other relevant data.  

Verification and investigation 

The collected information is then verified by various means, such as contacting previous employers or educational institutions, seeking written references, and conducting checks with law enforcement agencies. This step may also include fingerprinting, which allows for more accurate identification and criminal record searches. 

Review and assessment 

Once the information has been gathered and verified, it can be reviewed and assessed to determine the candidate’s suitability for the position. This assessment considers factors such as criminal history, employment and education verification, financial stability, and any other relevant information. 

Decision and clearance 

Based on the findings of the background check, a decision is made regarding the individual’s eligibility for the aviation role. If the candidate passes the background check, they may receive clearance to work in the industry. In cases where security clearances are required, the relevant government agency will make the final determination. 

It’s important to note, though,. that background checks are not necessarily a one-time process. In many jurisdictions, individuals working in aviation are subject to ongoing monitoring and periodic re-screening, to ensure their continued eligibility and adherence to safety and security standards. 

Emirates ended its financial year on March 31, 2023, with more than 100,000 employees and welcomed more than 17,000 new people throughout the year. The airline is now hoping to catch the eye of a wide variety of professionals once again and expects to cover vacancies in at least 180 different roles across the company, including pilots, crew, technicians, and customer service staff. 

There are jobs aplenty, but these are also fiercely competitive. The airline receives around 2.7 million applications every year from all around the world. 

One of Emirates’ preferred recruitment channels is the open day, which the airline organizes regularly in hundreds of cities on all continents. This time is no different and an entire schedule is already in the works, with different sets of dates and locations depending on the professional profiles being sought. 

An online information session for prospective pilots will take place on July 19, 2023, at 1pm Dubai time, with the next in-person events to follow in August across the United Kingdom and Ireland (including Dublin, Manchester, London Gatwick, and London Stansted airports). Emirates has already held similar events in Budapest, Madrid, and Lisbon this year.  

The call for pilots comes with the extra incentive. As soon as next year the Dubai-based airline will be inducting new aircraft types into its fleet, including the Airbus A350 from 2024, and the Boeing 777X as soon as it becomes market-ready. 

There are also opportunities for engineers, technicians, and MRO personnel, with up to 475 vacancies on offer. Open days for these professional profiles will be held in July and August 2023, in Australia, Canada, Brazil, South Africa and the UK. 

And with commercial aviation being increasingly digitized, demand is also strong for IT professionals, with 400 jobs for the taking, including software engineers, cybersecurity, and digital product management. 

And, finally, the always important customer service department is also recruiting across the board. 

In a press release, Emirates recommended checking the airline’s careers website for more information about the different jobs available. 

What seems certain is that Emirates is extremely confident about the prospects of long-haul travel. 

This article will explore the duties and responsibilities of a captain on a flight and the distinctions between a captain and a pilot, as well as the different types of pilots within a flight crew. 

What is a captain? 

The captain, also known as the aircraft commander or the pilot-in-command (PIC), is the highest-ranking pilot in an aircraft. The captain holds ultimate responsibility for the safety and operation of the flight. They are the leader of the flight crew and they make critical decisions to ensure a smooth and secure journey for all passengers and crew members. 

What is a pilot? 

In general aviation terms, a pilot is someone who operates or navigates an aircraft. However, within the context of a flight crew, the term “pilot” is often used to specifically refer to individuals who are not serving as the captain of the aircraft. It’s important to note that pilots can hold different positions within the flight crew, including captains, first officers, and flight engineers. 

Differences between captain and pilot roles 

While both captains and pilots are trained to operate an aircraft, there are distinct differences in their roles and responsibilities.  

The captain is the ultimate authority in the aircraft. They make critical decisions, oversee the entire flight, and are responsible for the safety of everyone on board. Pilots, on the other hand, may assist the captain, but they do not have the final decision-making authority or ultimate responsibility for the flight. 

Licenses needed to become a commercial pilot 

Pilots need to obtain a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) and/or an Air Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL) to work in commercial aviation as a first officer or captain. 

A CPL is a license that allows pilots to fly for compensation or hire. It is a prerequisite for those aspiring to work as first officers in commercial airliners. With a CPL, pilots can work as co-pilots or first officers, assisting the captain in operating the aircraft. 

An ATPL is a higher-level license that is required to work as a captain or PIC on any aircraft. The ATPL signifies a higher level of experience, training and knowledge, and it grants pilots the authority to assume full responsibility for the safe operation of an aircraft. 

Pilot certifications for specific aircraft types, such as the Boeing 747 or 777, are established by regulatory agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is necessary because each aircraft has unique characteristics. Pilots are required to undergo additional training beyond their basic licenses to ensure competence in operating these specific aircraft. 

For instance, if you obtain an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), you may be offered a first officer position by Lufthansa, which operates a fleet comprising Airbus and Boeing aircraft models like the A320-200 and Boeing 747-8. In such cases, Lufthansa and similar airlines typically provide further training to newly hired pilots to acquire the necessary type ratings. 

The requirement for a type rating is determined by local aviation authorities, and it varies depending on the specific aircraft. Regardless of the airline you work for, it is highly likely that you will need to undergo some form of rating training to ensure proficiency in operating the aircraft assigned to you. 

These licensing regulations are important considerations within the aviation industry globally. 

Transitioning from co-pilot to captain 

To transition from a co-pilot to a captain in commercial aviation, there are several steps and considerations to keep in mind. Here is a general outline of the process: 

1. Gain experience: accumulate flight hours and experience as a co-pilot. Different regions may have specific hour requirements, so check the regulations applicable to your location. Typically, pilots aim to gain a substantial number of flight hours, building their knowledge and skills. 

2. Meet airline-specific requirements: airlines often have their own set of criteria for upgrading co-pilots to captains. These requirements may include a minimum number of flight hours, completion of specific training programs, and satisfactory performance evaluations. 

3. Enhance qualifications: consider pursuing additional qualifications and certifications to boost your chances of becoming a captain. This could involve completing advanced training courses, such as type ratings for specific aircraft models, and obtaining an ATPL. 

4. Build leadership and decision-making skills: aspiring captains should focus on developing leadership qualities and decision-making abilities. Take opportunities to lead and make decisions within the flight crew environment, demonstrate effective communication, and showcase your ability to handle complex situations. 

5. Network and seek opportunities: networking within the aviation industry can be valuable for career advancement. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and establish connections with senior pilots and airline representatives who can provide guidance and potential opportunities for promotion. 

6. Apply for captain positions: keep an eye on job openings and apply for captain positions. Prepare a well-crafted resume highlighting your experience, qualifications, and achievements as a co-pilot.  

7. Complete captain transition training: if selected for a captain position, you will likely undergo specific transition training provided by the airline. This training focuses on the responsibilities and duties of a captain, including aircraft command, crew resource management, and decision-making in various scenarios. 

Pilot types 

Co-pilot/First officer: The co-pilot, also referred to as the first officer, is the second-in-command (SIC) in the cockpit. They work closely with the captain and share responsibility for operating the aircraft. The co-pilot assists the captain in various tasks, including navigation, communication, and monitoring the aircraft’s systems. 

Captain: As discussed, the captain is the highest-ranking pilot on the aircraft. 

Flight engineer: In the context of most commercial airlines and modern passenger aircraft, the position of a dedicated flight engineer is no longer a standard part of the flight crew. The advancements in technology and automation have allowed for more efficient and streamlined operations, reducing the need for a separate flight engineer role in most cases. 

However, it’s important to note that some older or specialized aircraft may still require the presence of a flight engineer. 

For example, certain cargo planes, vintage aircraft or specific military aircraft might still utilize flight engineers due to the complexity of their systems and the need for manual monitoring and management. These cases, however, are relatively rare now compared to the widespread use of automated systems in commercial aviation. 

How difficult is it to become a commercial pilot?

• Aircraft

ByIan Molyneaux

April 15, 2023

Let’s take a closer look at the average salaries for different types of pilots.

How much do pilots make on average?

The median annual wage for commercial pilots and flight engineers in the United States ranges from $202,180 to $211,790, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The typical base salary for airline pilots in the United Kingdom is approximately £90,000, whereas in Europe, the average salary for commercial pilots is around €125,000. However, regional airline pilots typically earn less than this. According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a regional airline pilot is around $106,000 per year.  

In terms of the pay differences between first officers and captains, captains generally earn more due to their higher level of responsibility and experience. According to data from Salary.com, the average salary for a first officer is around $151,000 per year, while the average salary for a captain is around $158,000 per year. 

How much do pilots earn at various airlines?

Some airlines may offer higher salaries to attract more experienced or qualified pilots, while others may operate different pay scales based on seniority or type of aircraft flown. 

According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a commercial airline pilot at Delta Air Lines is around $157,000 per year. The average base salary for a pilot at easyJet is around $75,000 per year. At American Airlines, a pilot’s average base annual salary is around $151,794. 

These are just a few examples, and salaries can vary widely based on individual factors such as experience, tenure and the type of aircraft flown. 

For military pilots 

Military pilots, particularly those in the Air Force and Navy, can earn a considerable salary while also receiving various other benefits such as housing allowances and healthcare. The exact salary for military pilots varies depending on their rank and years of service.  

As for officers, their basic pay is typically higher. A newly commissioned officer’s basic pay starts at an estimated annual salary of $43,600. A more experienced officer with an O-4 pay grade and over 10 years of service can expect to receive an estimated annual salary of $99,000. 

For airline transport pilots 

Airline transport pilots (ATPs) have the highest achievement of pilot certification in the aviation industry, and they often work for commercial airlines, or on cargo planes and other aircraft. ATPs are typically required to have at least 1,500 hours of flight experience and an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. 

For helicopter pilots 

Helicopter pilots typically earn slightly less than their fixed-wing counterparts. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for helicopter pilots is $77,200. Specifically, the lowest 10 percent of earners received a salary below $39,430, while the top 10 percent earned above $147,240. 

For flight instructors 

Flight instructors play a crucial role in providing guidance and instruction to individuals who wish to learn how to pilot an aircraft. According to Salary.com, the median annual wage for flight instructors is $111,922. The income for individuals in this field varies greatly, with the lowest 10 percent of earners receiving less than $102,893 and the top 10 percent earning more than $126,003. 

Salary of private jet pilots 

The salary of private jet pilots varies depending on several factors such as experience, employer, and type of aircraft flown. According to Payscale, the average salary of a private jet pilot in the United States is around $104,975 per year. However, this can vary widely, from $61,000 to over $190,000 per year. 

Private jet pilots are typically required to have at least a commercial pilot’s license with instrument and multi-engine ratings, along with several thousand hours of flight experience. Some employers may also require a type rating for the specific type of aircraft flown. 

Private jet pilots might work for private individuals, corporations, or charter companies, and their job duties can include flying the aircraft, maintaining it and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. 

As mentioned earlier, the salary of a private jet pilot can vary based on the size and type of aircraft flown. For example, flying a small business jet may bring in a lower salary compared to flying a large, long-range luxury jet. 

Private jet pilots can also receive additional benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans and travel perks.  

According to Jainita, becoming a cabin crew is a profession with a lot of potential. “Based on data from Statista, over the next 20 years, Europe will require about 170,000 new flight attendants for commercial aviation and around 8,000 for business aviation. Yet, the expected number of new specialists needed is not the only difference between these career paths. Therefore, it is vital for aspiring aviation professionals to understand these distinctions before pursuing a career in this field.”

Safety is the top priority for both commercial and private jet cabin crews. “They undergo thorough training to handle emergency situations and ensure all safety protocols are followed. In addition to their safety-related responsibilities, cabin crew members also provide essential customer service and hospitality duties, including serving food and drinks, arranging seating, and assisting passengers with their in-flight luggage,” she explains.

Although both professions share similarities, there are notable differences between commercial airline and private jet cabin crews. “Commercial airline cabin crews typically work on larger planes, such as Airbus and Boeing, and serve a greater number of passengers, whereas private jet cabin crews operate on smaller planes, for example, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Embraer, that can be modified in accordance with specific owners’ needs. Furthermore, private cabin crew usually work with fewer passengers. Additionally, commercial airline cabin crews encounter a diverse range of passengers, including families, business travelers, and tourists, while private jet cabin crews cater to a more exclusive clientele, such as celebrities, business executives, and affluent individuals,” she says.

Furthermore, Jainita shares that there are differences in the adaptability requirements. “Commercial airline cabin crews enjoy more stability as they typically follow a fixed schedule, which includes a mixture of overnight, short, and long-haul flights. On the other hand, private jet cabin crews have more flexible schedules and may have to work irregular hours based on their clients’ travel needs, often with little notice.”

She adds that private jet cabin crews may have additional responsibilities beyond those of commercial airline cabin crews. “These can include managing catering services, overseeing aircraft maintenance, and arranging ground transportation for their clients. By contrast, commercial airline cabin crews typically have more standardized duties that are specific to their role.”

Both commercial and private jet cabin crews play vital roles in ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers; however, the demands and expectations of these two professions can be vastly different. “Understanding these differences is essential for anyone interested in pursuing a career in aviation. The right career path for you will depend on your personal preferences, skills, and qualifications. With the right training and experience, a career as a cabin crew member can be a fulfilling and rewarding profession.”

According to Qantas, each scholarship is worth up to AU 30,000 ($20,000) and covers accommodation at the academy, meals and utilities. Tuition fees are additional.

Based in Toowoomba, Queensland, at Wellcamp Airport, the Qantas Group Pilot Academy was launched in 2020 and aims to build a long-term talent pipeline for Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar. 

The group expects to increase its pilot numbers by 1,600 over the next decade as it continues to grow and launch new flights.

“When we launched the Pilot Academy, we said we wanted to tap into a broader, more diverse talent base and through our scholarship program we’re encouraging more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and women to pursue a career in aviation,” QantasLink CEO John Gissing said in a statement.

“We know that we’re going to need to draw from a wider pool of talent than we have traditionally if we’re going to meet that demand for pilots, both for us and the broader industry,” Gissing continued.

Gissing added: “While we’re slightly above the global average in terms of female pilots, we know we still have a lot of work to do. Doubling the size of our scholarship program will help encourage more women and First Nations students to take the first step towards their career as an aviator.”

After completing the 12-month training program, graduates of the academy will hold three qualifications including a Commercial Pilot Licence, ready to commence a career in commercial or general aviation. Graduates will join the Group’s pilot talent pool and have access to opportunities with partner airlines.

Globally, around 5% of commercial airline pilots are women, with Qantas slightly higher at more than 7%.

Applications for the Academy’s latest intake are now open, and potential scholarship holders are encouraged to apply by submitting a written application.

The US Representative, who served one term in Congress, will resume his full-time job with Hawaiian Airlines as an Airbus A330 pilot.

The 117th United States Congress ended on January 3, 2023, and in a written and video statement, Kahele said that he will be immediately returning to full time employment with Hawaiian Airlines as an A330 captain and also continue his service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Hawaii Air National Guard. 

“It has been my greatest honor to serve as your United States Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District,” Kahele said in his press statement. “I am extremely proud of the work Team Kahele accomplished and the aloha spirit we brought to our nation’s capital.”

The statement also highlighted some of Kahele’s major pieces of federal registration enacted into law during his term:

• The American Rescue Plan
• The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
• The Inflation Reduction Act
• The CHIPS and Science Act
• The Honoring our PACT Act
• The Safer Communities Act
• The Respect for Marriage Act

According to aviation blog Live and Let’s Fly, Kahele had been working for Hawaiian Airlines since 2009 and with the blessing of his union, the Air Line Pilots Association, worked out a specifically tailored leave policy that maintain his flight status, seniority, and longevity with the company while representing Hawaii in the US Government.

While serving in Congress, Kahele managed to still work as a commercial pilot from time to time. 

“I would bid for the five-day Boston trips,” Kahele said. “It worked out perfectly. I would leave Monday and land on Tuesday morning, then go straight to D.C. I could take off my pilot uniform and put on my campaign uniform, then rejoin the crew for the flight home on Friday morning,” Kahele said in an interview with Honolulu Civil Beat. 

Former State Senator Jill Tokuda replaced Kahele on January 3, 2023.

Learning is ubiquitous and second nature to Generation Z employees. Markedly, the period spanning the last three years has seen an accelerated rate of employees enrolling for various L&D programs, most notably online courses, which offered the convenience and accessibility needed amidst health safety threats and inconveniences caused by the pandemic.  

Anca Gosling, Aeroclass’s Director for Content Development, notes that Generation Z, colloquially known as “Gen Zers” or Zoomers, grow up immersed in technology, hence they value technology solutions, inclusivity, and construct their identities around self-reliant and pragmatic solutions. It is not surprising that Gen Z prefers ‘learning at the point of need’ using modern technologies, smartphones, or personal computers. At Aeroclass we use technology to anticipate and cater to the needs of the next generation to create a unique and personal learning experience.

In 2020, Gen Z learners interacted with digital learning content 50% more than in 2019. Most generation Z learners consider learning indispensable to build a flourishing career. Unlike traditional programs, virtual learning options provide a set of learning and development pros, from increasing internal mobility for individuals pursuing up-skilling and re-skilling courses to providing opportunities for leadership development, management development, and virtual onboarding.

A survey conducted by LinkedIn in 2021 reported that over 86% of Generation Z have enrolled in online courses to build hard and soft skills. Further, the report showed that this population spends 12% more of their private time on online-based learning platforms building skills than the average learner.     

The past 2-3 years have offered significant lessons for many organizations – lots of unexpected challenges and considerable opportunities to capitalize on. In fact, the learning and development industry has moved to the forefront. It is now a matter of interest for many individuals, including those in employment and those looking to secure jobs in different sectors, including the aviation industry. Many employees and those seeking employment have recognized that learning is a “must-have” requirement to succeed. Therefore, they are exploring learning options that can provide the opportunity to further develop their careers and access C-suite level. This has led to a tectonic shift toward digital learning options where this generation of learners can access quality content and interact with a wide range of information pertinent to the challenges and complexities that characterize contemporary workplace environments.

Besides offering convenience and access to quality content, online learning increased robustness as a learning solution, providing superior coverage regarding instructional materials and reach. “Compared to classroom training, online learning offers a more inclusive option. Leave no one behind (LNOB) is the transformative promise of the United Nations (UN) 2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development and can be achieved only by empowering people through education. Technology is a powerful tool that allows people to access information that otherwise they would not be able to access.” explained Anca Gosling. 

From an economic perspective, virtual training has presented a cost-effective alternative, enabling students to access L&D programmes at a lower budget than they would incur if they were to enroll in classroom-based courses. Two years ago, over 38% of individuals taking learning and development courses projected less spending on classroom-based learning, and 57% anticipated bigger budgets for online learning. In 2022, these figures have changed significantly, with current statistics indicating a high predisposition toward online learning. Today, 73% of learning and development professionals predict less spending on classroom training, while 79% have estimated higher budgets for online learning. 

Furthermore, online learning offers a smart and innovative way for learners to evaluate themselves and quantify the learning outcomes from various programmes. Employees can use online-based engagement surveys to measure program effectiveness and assess their value in producing the desired learning outcomes and satisfaction.

Anca Gosling emphasizes that organizations must develop robust L&D programmes and infuse a continuous learning culture to build a future-proof workforce. Considering the complex business environment that we are currently facing, investing in employees will surely pay off. At the same time, organizations should consider aligning their learning strategy with the core business objectives.  This will increase retention, and motivation and ultimately the business will perform better. As Gen Z represents the dominant cohort of employees in the workplace, online-based training comes as a natural choice and a feasible solution for organizations to imbue a strong learning culture.

Research shows that the pandemic had a strong effect on Gen Zers. For those that are looking for a career change, perusing other opportunities or simply learning a new skill, online learning provides an effective way to develop skills that can connect them to their new career paths and offer the desired job. Besides, online training shifts learning from the static, one-off classroom courses to an impactful, flexible, and sustainable environment. Simply put, the sky is the limit!       

Anca Gosling, the training expert at Aeroclass is spearheading initiatives by the company to reimagine the concept of aviation training. In her view, Aeroclass is pioneering the future of aviation training through digitization.

“Future generations will grow up immersed in technologies. Hence, the application of digital technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, gamification etc. in aviation training become a natural way for people to learn and engage with content. Aeroclass’s vision is not only to educate aviation professionals but more importantly to attract the new generation into the industry,” Anca Gosling says. These developments will facilitate adaptive training while simultaneously making a difference by creating unequalled, affordable, accessible, and engaging training programs for aviation professionals.

From late 2019 until now, aviation training has plummeted owing to the decline in aviation jobs, discouraging many people from pursuing recurrent courses without a promise of a return to work or securing new jobs. According to a report by Oxford Economics, over 2.3 million jobs have been lost across airlines, airports, and civil aerospace organizations since 2019. However, with people around the world eager to travel again in the post-pandemic period, airlines are aggressively hiring new staff. Given the shortcomings with the conventional instructional methods, aviation trainers should capitalize on digital technologies as a means to wholly or partly reimagine training and address the cost constraints and other problems associated with existing static programs.      

As far as the aviation market is concerned, digital technologies such as AR and VR will grow to reach a market value of 4.6 billion dollars by 2030. In a similar trend, market survey evidence indicates that artificial intelligence (AI) will report a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.4% by 2023 in the aviation industry. Considering such impressive growth, leading aviation trainers like Aeroclass.org will enjoy considerable access to convenient, superior, and cost-effective options to deliver their training courses for cabin crew and upcoming pilots. Undoubtedly, these technologies are setting the pace for unprecedented training and maintenance practices by streamlining learning activities and reducing costs.

Providing the mandatory recurrent training cycles for most of the aviation employees translates to escalating costs, a significant impediment for many individuals who intend to pursue such training courses. Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics indicate that in June 2022, commercial aviation employment rates went down by 0.6% in the US due to labor shortage issues compared to the pre-pandemic figures. If this trend replicates in other airlines, the only solution for airlines is to train more personnel. Addressing the labor shortage problem will come at a significant cost on individuals pursuing various courses. However, digital technologies such as Big Data have provided an option where Aeroclass can identify training needs, use data-driven approaches to design curricula, and provide training on an individual basis.

Aviation trainers can move from the static e-learning models to providing adaptive and customized content for different individuals based on their needs, intelligence, and abilities. Markedly, a shift towards adaptive e-learning can offer significant payoffs by reducing the costs and time taken while delivering training without customization.

With the exponential development in digital technologies, innovation has become a core aspect in all aviation fields, including the design and delivery of training courses. For example, Learning Management System (LMS) has provided a viable alternative for aviation trainers to design courses and deliver programs that address the customized needs of all learners. With the growing calls to standardize aviation training, digitization presents an option to deliver people-centric, operational, relevant, and cost-effective learning courses to serve the knowledge needs of an ever-evolving industry.

In the new world of digital technologies, innovation is constantly reshaping and addressing challenges that have persisted in the aviation industry. One such problem concerns offering affordable, accessible, personalized, and engaging training programs to foster professional development. However, digital technologies such as AI, VR, AR, and Big Data analytics have gained immense significance, given their potential to transform aviation training and make future training programmes more accessible and affordable.            

The move comes as the industry fights staff shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“The shortages we are experiencing today are a symptom of the longer-term challenges to achieve a stable talent base in ground handling,” Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for the Operations, Safety and Security, said in a statement.  

The IATA proposes that the ground handling sector adopt a stronger talent acquisition strategy, including “an awareness campaign to highlight the attractiveness and importance of ground operations in global logistics and transport operations” as well as career path mapping. 

The IATA also said that employers should implement the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM), which aims to standardize ground operations and provide additional flexibility and opportunities for staff in terms of relocation, reassignment and recruitment. 

“The cornerstone is standardization that can be achieved with the adoption of the IGOM. Its global implementation will have a huge and positive impact in all aspects of ground handling, including talent management. The potential is to shift working in the sector from having a job to developing a career,” said Careen.   

The aviation sector is currently facing staffing problems because of the large numbers of people placed on furlough during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a subsequent increase in air travel demand before this year’s busy summer period.    

The busiest European airports, including London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Dublin Airport, have already faced long queues, flight cancellations and delays due to staff shortages during the past few weeks.    

In its new hiring campaign, Embraer will focus on areas such as production rate recovery, services and support growth, product development and new business.  

“These hires materialize the strategic plan that includes the resumption of aviation growth and all investment in technology, innovation and new businesses at Embraer. We are very excited about the market prospects that generate career opportunities in several areas of the company,” said Carlos Alberto Griner, vice-president People, ESG and Communication. 

Griner added: “Alongside the talents of traditional educational programs that meet the needs of accelerated qualification and natural replacement of professionals, the new employees will contribute to our efforts to have a more agile and competitive company in an increasingly flexible and diverse work environment.” 

In 2022, Embraer expects the volume of aircraft deliveries to grow by between 15% and 25%, compared to the previous year.  

At the end of 2021, the Embraer Group had around 18,000 employees. 

The aviation industry is preparing for the upcoming summer season of 2022, as the tourism and travel industry bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

However, the sector is facing staffing problems because of the large numbers of people placed on furlough during the global health crisis, and a subsequent increase in air travel demand before this year’s busy summer period.    

The FAA’s Aviation Workforce Development Grant was part of the FAA Reauthorization act of 2018 which the US president signed on October 5, 2018. The act addressed the projected shortages of aircraft pilots in the aviation industry.

The act gave the FAA the authority to establish an Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program. The objective of this program is to grant aircraft pilots support proposals that generate interest and prepare students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft systems operators. These grants can also be used to support the professional development of teachers delivering eligible aviation curriculum.

“Our investment in the aviation workforce of the future must begin today,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said in a statement. Dickson himself is a former commercial captain. 

“These grants help nurture interest in aviation at an early age to build a career during one of the most dynamic times in aviation history.”

Recipients of the Aviation Workforce Development Grant include:

• Florida State College, Jacksonville, Florida.: $498,000
• Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, Michigan.: $90,000
• Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina.: $269,000
• University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota.: $488,000
• County of Scottsbluff School District #16, Gering, Nebraska.: $500,000
• Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Flushing, N.Y.: $498,000
• Aerotrek Flight Academy, LLC, Wadsworth, Ohio: $77,000
• Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.: $491,000
• Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.: $135,000
• Spartanburg County School District #5 (James. F. Byrnes High School), Duncan, South Carolina.: $31,000
• South Carolina Department of Education, Columbia, South Carolina: $425,000
• Florence School District One, Florence, South Carolina.: $339,000
• Crowley Independent School District #912, Crowley, Texas: $139,500
• Utah State University, Logan, Utah: $238,500
• Randolph Macon Academy, Front Royal, Virginia.: $307,000
• Old Dominion University Research Foundation/Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Norfolk, Virginia.: $474,000

Full details of the grant awards can be viewed here.

“Compared to more than 200 B737NG simulators globally, approximately three dozen B737 MAX FFSs are a limited number, so we are pleased to be one of a few pilot training providers able to offer this kind of simulator training,” Aurimas Urbonas, managing director at BAA Training Spain, said.

To cater to the growing interest in the Boeing 737 MAX, BAA Training Spain will start with respective training programs before adding other MAX equipment complementary to the FFS. 

The company offers the already available EASA standard Boeing 737 MAX type rating program and the soon to be launched Boeing 737 MAX from 737NG Differences Training, depending on precise needs. The training covers the Boeing 737 MAX FCC and MCAS, multiple flight deck alerts during non-normal conditions, stabilizer trim, and other crucial elements.

The training covers the Boeing 737 MAX FCC and MCAS, multiple flight deck alerts during non-normal conditions, stabilizer trim, and other crucial elements.

Early in 2022, a Boeing 737 MAX Flight Training Device will also be added to be used in combination with the corresponding FFS.

British Airways (BA) pilots have reportedly received a memo with a secondment offer, several aviation media outlets have reported on September 28, 2021. 

It is understood that the Doha-based airline is looking for approximately 40 pilots (20 first officers and 20 captains) to crew its Boeing 777 during winter 2021/2022. 

Qatar Airways has 83 Triple Sevens in its fleet, including 26 freighters. British Airways has 59 777s, 11 of which are currently parked, Planespotters.net data shows. 

British Airways and Qatar Airways are related through BA’s parent International Airlines Group (IAG) (IAG). The Gulf-based air carrier is the single largest shareholder of the latter since 2016 and owns 25.1% of IAG since February 2020. 

This would not be the first time the two airlines come to each other’s aid. Back in July 2017, when British Airways crew went on strike, Qatar Airways sent nine crewed Airbus A320 to help out on BA’s short haul routes. 

Ravoitis has 10 years of experience in international sales in various industries and continents. He joined BAA Training in 2017. Ravoitis will supervise the company’s global operations. 

“I look forward to building on the foundation that has been laid, driving an industry-leading growth that will benefit both BAA Training’s airline and private clients as well as all of the company’s employees and shareholders,” Ravoitis is cited in the company’s statement. “We will also focus on pursuing innovation and digitalization activities and realizing new services and ideas. “ 

Departing CEO Egle Vaitkeviciute held the role for 11 years and will now become a Strategic Advisor to BAA Training, where she will superintend the company’s global expansion plans in Europe, Asia, and other potential markets.

“BAA Training is a business that has already built the proper environment to thrive and systems to scale,” said Egle Vaitkeviciute. “It has taken operations to the overseas markets, hit the next level with opening multiple training centres globally and accelerated its Ab Initio school’s performance.”

Marijus Ravoitis (Credit: BAA Training)

Managing Director of BAA Training Spain, Aurimas Urbonas, says: “We are delighted to announce that with the first Airbus A320 full flight simulator ready for training we are now all set to offer world-class pilot training. We embark on the next phase of the training centre’‎s operation and demonstrate our commitment to accomodating various pilot needs in the region. While this is an important breakthrough, we are ambitious and aim to further harness the growth opportunity by adding more flight simulation training devices throughout the upcoming years.“

About Airbus A320 FFS

The Airbus A320 FFS manufactured by CAE is EASA UPRT CS-FSTD (A) issue 2 Level D Approved and Certified. It supports both CFM and IAE ceo engine types.

It has the latest innovative Tropos 6000XR visual system, offering pilots an authentic visual feel. Many customized and generic scenes are available and tailored to airport characteristics. The FFS has been given a C Level airports certificate.

The equipment is fully suited for completing the Upset Prevention Recovery Training, a mandatory part of Type Rating Training, Checking, and Recurrent Training.

Cost-trimming opportunity

BAA Training seeks to execute transformational cost reduction, and its newest training center BAA Training Spain pivots first to meet changing customer needs. The objective is to be achieved by introducing a customer-centered solution to distribute the Type Rating program’‎s training components between two sub-variants of simulation devices – full flight simulators (FFS) and fixed training devices (FTD) on a 50/50 ratio. Consequently, the customer‎s’‎ savings can reach up to 40% for each training hour where an FTD replaces an FFS.

Speaking about the novelty, Aurimas Urbonas adds: „A strong emphasis on driving customer value will not only aid companies during the period of economic disruptions but also transform into a long-term, customer-centered strategy that allows everyone to stay laser-focused on achieving more by spending less.“

Coming soon equipment

BAA Training Spain expects five simulators to arrive by the end of 2021: 2 FFSs and 3 FTD Level 2 devices:

• Boeing B737 NG FFS in Q2 2021
• Boeing B737 MAX FFS in Q2 2021
• A320ceo FTD Level 2 in Q3 2021
• B737 MAX FTD Level 2 in Q4 2021
• B737 NG FTD Level 2 in Q4 2021

The modern facility is set to meet the needs of 16.000 pilots per year and has room for 11 simulator bays. All of them will be getting occupied in the years to follow, responding to the market needs.

BAA Training aviation training hub in Spain

BAA Training Spain has been established as part of the BAA Training expansion plan to Europe. BAA Training, one of the TOP 3 biggest European aviation training centres, also owns Ab Initio flight training school with two Spanish bases – in Lleida-Alguaire International Airport (Spain) and Castellón–Costa Azahar Airport. By putting both the simulator training centre and the flight school in place and lengthening its service line, BAA Training gets a firmer hold of the market. It creates a full-scope aviation training hub in Spain open to a broader audience.

The acronym stands for „Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes“ and represents a philosophy in initial pilot training focusing on competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) instead of factual knowledge training. While gaining particular importance in the aviation field, this paradigm allows students to develop appropriate ICAO core competencies during the ground training and apply theoretical knowledge through practical exercises.

Egle Vaitkeviciute, CEO at BAA Training, says: „Despite the challenges posed by the virus, BAA Training has strategically reinforced focus on quality to embrace competency-based training and assessment approach and has done so one of the first in Europe. We have set up our own in-house enhanced training scheme under Area 100 KSA for student pilots. From day one at ground school, they will be getting intense and coherent preparation for their future work at an airline. An ability to quickly apply relevant skills and competencies is vital for different situations, including emergencies, to avoid critical mistakes during the flight.“

The first ATPL group with Area 100 KSA embedded into the training begins in February 2021. Other Ab Initio programs available at BAA Training – CPL and MPL – will also encompass the new approach in the nearest future.

The benefit of Area 100 KSA

Airlines will be choosing from the pool of licenced pilots who possess and demonstrate vital competencies, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, situation awareness, workload management, and application of knowledge.

Pilots will receive relevant and useful courses that meet industry needs and utilize best practices, improving their credibility to get employed by leading airlines. Their knowledge will come from understanding but not rote learning.

Finally, the ATO, which timely embodies the Area 100 KSA concept, proves its ability to adapt quickly to the changing industry trends and train the instructors with no issues.

Arunas Miezanskas, Head of Training at BAA Training, comments: „As an ATO, we have committed to mastering the new training approach. Our instructors with years of experience in the aviation field are fully prepared and certified to execute Area 100 KSA. They will be guiding, monitoring, and evaluating students against the core ICAO competencies throughout the whole theoretical knowledge training system, starting from their day one at ground school.“

The streamlined learning process

BAA Training will holistically integrate Area 100 KSA into the entire training syllabus. A particular emphasis will be on training through real-world situations, dealing with emergency events, stimulating resilience, and more. The rational and consistent CBTA will allow students to develop higher cognitive skill levels and pilot core competencies.

The training structure will meet EASA requirements and include one formative assessment, two summative ones, and a mental math test. Instructors will also duly brief students about Area 100 KSA background in an introductory course.

During the assessments, the preference will be given to group exercises as collaborative and interactive activities facilitate disclosure of the core competencies. The mental math test will include calculations and estimations during which the use of any tools, such as calculators or rulers, will be prohibited.

All BAA Training Ab Initio students will be affected by the significant change and get introduced to Area 100 KSA in due course.

Area 100 KSA background

The need for modernized aviation discipline training has arisen over safety concerns as multiple statistics show over 70% of commercial aircraft accidents happen due to pilot error.

EASA observes: “Current teaching and learning tools are not sufficiently developed to encourage future pilots to use analytic and synthetic thinking or to challenge student pilots to enhance their decision-making skills, their problem-solving ability, and their level of understanding of assimilated knowledge.”

Responding to the alarming statistics, EASA has mandated ATOs to reorganize their initial pilot training system and include the KSA philosophy consolidating knowledge, skills, and understanding through scenario-based learning by January 31, 2022.

• Make sure your resume is simple and clear, so that the recruiter could easily see if you match the requirements.
• Prepare all supporting documents for your application. Do not add more documents than required. Some of the papers are missing? Mention it in your application, specify the reason and provide a preliminary date of when you would be able to get them. 
•  Are you attaching the latest version of your supporting documents? Before you hit send, check if your medical certificate, license and type rating are valid.
•  Double-check if each document you are submitting has a clear title (e.g. ‘’Cabin Crew Attestation’’, ‘’License’’, ‘’Reference letter’’). Do not merge all your documents in one PDF file. At the same time, avoid sending the same document split into separate pages. Instead of sending 3 separate scans of your logbook (logbook 1; logbook2; logbook3), combine them conveniently into one PDF file under the name “Logbook”. 
• When attaching your documents, make sure all copies are clear and visible. Also, check each document individually to make sure nothing is missing.
• If you already have an application form, please fill it in carefully without missing any fields. It can take a while, but this part is very important. Sometimes applications get rejected just because you missed a field in the application. If you were asked to add a picture to the application form and sign it, make sure you do that (e-signature is also fine, but no computer typing).       

Good luck! 

If you were affected by the current crisis and are looking for a new job in aviation, we are here to help. Your next job might be right around the corner. 

Register for recovery today: https://bit.ly/39ScTHA

Few professions were affected by the COVID-19 crisis as strongly as those of the people working in the aviation industry. From the high demands for aviation professionals and a looming pilot shortage prior to the crisis, to thousands of job losses, the stress of unemployment, and significant uncertainty about the future as the pandemic struck. 

“In these unprecedented times, we feel a strong responsibility to support our industry, and the thousands of aviation professionals and enthusiasts around the world who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis”, says Richard Stephenson, the CEO of AeroTime Hub. 

The campaign called “Register For Recovery” launches today, pursuing a goal of building a supportive global community for aviation professionals and enthusiasts. The AviationCV.com and AeroTime Hub teams put extra effort into keeping everyone connected and informed about the current situation in aviation recruitment, while also providing a platform where aviators can polish their resumes, hone their skills, or ask a professional recruiter for career advice. 

The campaign brings together a range of tools to help aviation professionals prepare for the industry’s recovery, whether they have faced unemployment, or are considering a career change in the future. Airline pilots, engineers, cabin crew, and other industry specialists who might have lost their jobs, were furloughed, moved to reduced hours in 2020, or who simply want to see new opportunities, will have the chance to receive personalised job openings, as soon as they become available. 

The AeroTime Hub team is now contacting airlines around the world to make sure that new opportunities are listed on the AviationCV.com job board as quickly as possible.

Stephenson added, “This is an unpredictable situation and there is no doubt that the recovery might take some time.  But ours is a robust and resilient industry and we will see more and more light at the end of the tunnel as 2021 progresses.  The most important thing that we can all do now, is to be prepared and ready to act when the industry bounces back. AviationCV is gearing up to help airlines and individuals alike and we are determined to play our part in the recovery – so register now to make sure you can play yours too!”

For more information about the “Register for Recovery” campaign, please visit: Register for Recovery

EU Regulation says yes to cost-sharing

The cost-sharing conditions for private flights (and their evolution) are reflected in the EU regulation. It all started with rule No 965/2012, which clearly states that all the aircraft occupants can share costs, pilot included, and the number of persons sharing the direct costs is limited to six. Expenses that are not flight-related, such as those for keeping, maintaining, and operating an aircraft, cannot be shared.

In 2014, EASA introduced a new set of Air Ops regulations, which did not indicate that the costs had to be shared equally, making private flying even more opportunistic. The regulatory institution did not begin promoting private flights, but at the same time, it did not forbid advertising them. It encouraged different online flight-sharing platforms to start offering services allowing them to match pilots with passengers. Their success is undeniable as people got to registering almost instantly.

In 2017, to ensure and improve the non-commercial flights’ safety, EASA compiled a special Charter, determining the commitments imposed on flight-sharing platforms, such as raising awareness about a pilot’s code of conduct, providing guidance and tutorials on safety best-practices, etc. Flight sharing companies, such as COAVMI, Wingly, Flyt.club, Vuelea, and others signed the Charter.

What are the benefits of a pilot?

First of all, the cost-sharing opportunity gives a pilot freedom to do what they love with fewer expenditures on the one hand and high decision-making power on the other hand. A pilot is obliged to contribute to the flight costs, but the regulation does not specify the proportion.

Joris Gintilas, Chief Compliance Officer at BAA Training, says, “Students often ask whether it’s legitimate to share costs with passengers. The answer is 100% yes as both EASA and FAA gave green lights to this alternative a while ago. National aviation authorities might limit the endeavor to a certain extent, but in Lithuania, for instance, there’re no such limitations.”

Adding some figures will help to illustrate how much a pilot can save by sharing costs. Let’s assume you are a pilot carrying three other people in a four-seat airplane. You receive a rent invoice which shows the flight took 3 hours of engine time at 200€/h (the average price in Lithuania). Naturally, the rent cost would calculate as 3×200=600€. If you agreed to spread the costs equally with your passengers, your expense is just 600/4=150€.

As for making crucial decisions, it is officially in a pilot’s hands, blocking the way for any pressure coming from the passengers’ side. For instance, a pilot can cancel the flight due to unfavorable weather conditions or for other reasons. Another example can be refusing to take a passenger whose luggage weighs more than agreed during a pre-flight briefing.

Secondly, a pilot gets a chance to fly more often, eventually gaining more confidence, experience, and flight hours. There is no need to elaborate on the value of flight hours; therefore, we can simply put it as “the more – the better.” For example, in some cases, a pilot would need to have a sufficient number of flight hours “on their account” to perform flights abroad. With the hours built, they can also leap straight into a Commercial Pilot career with no requirement to start the new program from scratch or pursue an Instructor Rating.

Last but not least, more frequent flying strengthens safety. Although the safety risks involved in flying with strangers often raises concerns, in reality, no such threats were identified by a Europe-wide Working Group which analyzed the topic in 2016. In contrast, the relaxed constraints on cost sharing flights in the EU regulation inspire pilots to fly more often. As a result, it enhances safety as more flying stands for honed skills.

To conclude, private pilots can enjoy an utterly legal possibility to reduce their flying expenses by taking advantage of cost-sharing. The rule outlined in the EASA regulation aims to stimulate the recurrence of private pilots’ flights and, thus, benefits safety. However, nobody can use it as a back door into commercial flying.

Shaw Academy is an online education platform which offers education without limitations. They make it  easy to get real qualifications which lead to real success, empowering hundreds of thousands of new students each month all over the world.

Shaw Academy provides online courses, delivered to students through scheduled classes with professional support. Their content covers a vast range of subjects including marketing, design, business, finance, health and wellness, technology and more. The courses, which are created by industry experts, now number over 100 and are growing weekly.

Their certifications are internationally accredited by the IAO (International Accreditation Organization), CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and ICSOC (International Council of Specialised Online Certifications). This recognition is extremely important to us and  gives students the best possible start to progress on to a successful career.

It gives you the opportunity to learn where they want, when they want. With their app, education has never been more accessible. The courses cater to everyone from beginners, just starting out, through to professionals looking to brush up on their already established skill sets. Subjects are broken into 4 modules moving  from the basics to proficiency in Module 4.

The student experience is designed to be as simple and enjoyable as possible, with support at every step along the way. Once a student signed up, they have access to the members area where they can schedule their weekly classes on a day and time that suits them. The live interactive classes have a chat support team ready to help with any queries. As an added support, they also offer Course Toolkits, class recordings and quizzes. When you complete the course Shaw Academy offer eCertificates and hardcopy Diplomas to showcase a student’s success.

Over 15 million successful graduates have achieved their goals with Shaw Academy. They continue to help people to take the first step in securing their education and achieving their dreams. To engage with as many people as possible Shaw Academy partner with brands such as T-Mobile, Vodafone, Revolut and  now AeroTime to create initiatives for their staff and customers. This allows them to take advantage of the wide range of courses and advance their skills in a way that suits them.

“Our plans continue to be the most affordable option available for students with the heightened demand for online learning this year. We work hard to provide the highest standard of education in the most accessible way possible” explains David Farrell, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Shaw Academy.  Thanks to AeroTime new partnership with Shaw Academy, you can receive 4-weeks free access, where you can enrol in any of their 100+ courses, take advantage of all of the services and supports to get started on advancing your education. Good luck!

You can find more information or sign up here.

The new director was announced after ESA’s Ministerial Council meeting on December 17, 2020. Dr Aschbacher, who is currently the ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs and Head of ESA’s center for Earth Observation (also known as the European Space Research Institute or ESRIN), will replace Prof. Jan Wörner. Wörner’s term of office ends on June 30, 2021. 

Dr Aschbacher obtained Masters and PhD degrees in Natural Sciences at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. His career in ESA began in 1990. From 1991 to 1993 he was seconded as ESA Representative to Southeast Asia to the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand.

The new general director has over three decades of experience working in international organizations, including ESA, the European Commission, the Austrian Space Agency, and Asian Institute of Technology.

Vacancy for the post of ESA Director General was announced in June 2020.

“Six years ago I saw a vacancy like this and it changed my life. Here’s the chance for my successor to apply to – in a year from now – lead Europe in Space!” Jan Wörner encouraged applicants for the position of ESA Director General as he prepared to leave the position in June 2021.

The CV of a pilot does not differ that much from any other kind of position. Try to use an attractive template and a readable layout. It should fit on one page, as the person who receives your resume will spend less than 20 seconds scanning it before making a preliminary decision. 

As for the content, the same rules apply as for any job: keep it clear, short, and adapted to the position you are applying for. However, a pilot resume should emphasize the candidate’s experience and skills even more clearly.

Start with your personal information. Write your name, address, your preferred telephone number and email address (make sure it looks professional), your nationality, and date of birth.

A pilot position usually asks for very specific qualifications, and your potential employer should be able to see that you are fit for the job on their first read. If a certain number of flight hours or certification is needed, then it should appear in the first lines of the CV. Your flight hours should match the ones in your logbook. Keep it simple and efficient: mention the flight hours on the aircraft type asked by the position, but leave the trainer aircraft for your interview.

After your qualifications, your resume should highlight your professional experiences. Detail each of your previous assignments in one or two lines, which position you were holding (captain, first officer…) on which aircraft. You can also include your references there. There again, keep any experiences unrelated to the aviation industry for your interview.

Then comes your education. Note the degree and university where you studied.  If you apply abroad, be sure to find the local equivalent to your degrees (example: in France, a Baccalaureat is not a Bachelor’s degree, but a British A-Levels or a US High school diploma).  

Finally, conclude with your language abilities and your personal interests. Be honest with your language proficiency and prioritize internationally recognized evaluations. For instance, spoken Spanish does not say much about your level. You can also mention if you lived in a foreign country. Finish your CV on a lighter note with special achievements, such as honors awards and prizes.

After you are done writing your resume, go through the offer once more and verify that you have provided all the information needed for the recruiter to make a preliminary decision. Use that opportunity to make sure you did not miss any typo or spelling error.

A good resume can be the key for your pilot career to find new wings, so put the effort needed to get the position of your dreams! 

What worked wonders for your CV? Feel free to add your tips in the comments.

Egle Vaitkeviciute, the CEO of BAA Training, acknowledges: “BAA Training is very proud of successfully building partnership with ENAC – the leading aeronautics and aviation university in Europe. Receiving a flight training approval from ENAC, governed by the French Civil Aviation Authority, empowers BAA Training to work with the major European and Asian airlines, such as Air France and others, and contribute to training their future pilots. Being a trusted flight training partner of ENAC reinforces our obligations to keep the highest training standards while delivering competency-based aviation training services.”

Thierry de Basquiat, the Director of ENAC Flight School: “The ENAC training reference is worldwide recognized, and it is important, even more in a difficult context for air transport, to offer quality training courses adapted to the needs and characteristics of airlines. We are very pleased with the work carried out by the ENAC and BAA TRAINING teams to enable BAA TRAINING to deliver specific phases of the ENAC integrated ATPL programs. This important step will allow us to continue to develop innovative training programs and meet the current expectations of the airline community”.

The new approval will allow BAA Training to conduct parts of the actual flight training in Lleida-Alguaire, Spain, broadening the training range offered to ENAC’s students. The partnership with ENAC started in 2019 with the approval to deliver the theoretical part of the ATPL integrated program. Back then, a group of Air Macau pilots-to-be arrived at the BAA headquarters to participate in the ATPL theory course. Another group of Air France cadets enrolled in MCC and JOC training programs organized by BAA Training in January 2020, followed by the most recent one which began in October 2020. It is important to note that hosting these first student groups fostered further interaction with ENAC and resulted in more capacity to serve the same clientele,

BAA Training aims to expand its partnership portfolio in France and views the elevating cooperation with ENAC as an important step towards this goal. Currently, BAA Training holds a cooperation agreement with Transavia France, a member of the Air France-KLM group.

Who’s in charge of India’s presidential fleet? 

India’s Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers have been using national Indian carrier’s Air India Boeing 747 planes for their travel for nearly 25 years. 

However, after the two presidential Boeing 777 aircraft were received in October 2020, Indian Air Force took over the operations of Air India One, according to the Financial Express.

Despite the change, Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which is a subsidiary of Air India, is taking part in maintaining wide-body B777 planes.   

Photos leak

Following the news on photos leak, according to the Times of India, after the photographs of highly secured aircraft have been revealed on social media, India’s Prime Minister Cabinet initiated investigation of the leakage. The investigation resulted in the indefinite suspension of a senior cabin crew member who allegedly took the pictures. A cabin supervisor was reportedly also fired for not preventing the security breach.  

Additionally, the same crew member shared photographs of the VIP aircraft with his relatives revealing cabin layout, seats and more. According to the investigation, the relative turns out to be a retired Air India employee. Sources from the investigation added that the Indian airline has suspended this retired employee’s free passage and medical benefits.

Air India One

The two specially-modified Boeing 777s are the first dedicated aircraft to be used to fly the highest officials in India. The new 777-300ERs have been heavily modified to add defense systems and a new cabin for the President, Vice President and the Prime Minister of India. Therefore, Air India One planes have similar security measures as the Air Force One planes used by the President of the United States.

Nowhere is it as clear as in recordings of emergencies. Here is an actual recording of the so-called Miracle on the Hudson, an incident where after a bird strike and a double engine failure pilots had to crash-land their A320 in a river:

How do they do that? What is their secret and can a regular mortal non-aviator learn it? Turns out, some things can be learned, while others cannot. Let’s start from the most obvious and the least applicable one: 

• Strict selection process

While the bar to become a commercial pilot is not as high as, say, to become a military one, there are still a lot of prerequisites. Therefore, personality tests are a crucial part of pilot selection in both pilot academies and airlines. Personality questionnaires that include assessment of pilot’s behavior are a part of Compass test, ADAPT test, and many other tests aspiring pilots are subjected to. Some academies even stage elaborate role-playing sessions to see how their students behave in difficult situations. 

In addition to that, the regular training process is conducted under heavy pressure, where pilots are required to learn and perform tasks under strict time limit. The result of that – people who do not maintain appropriate level-headedness simply cannot pass the training. Often, it is not that pilots are calm, it is that non-calm people do not become pilots.

• Scope of the training

Although it can be hard to believe by looking at the cockpit,  the amount of systems a modern airliner carries is limited and there are even less ways those systems can break down. Therefore, it is possible to learn all of them and practice solutions to all problems that can arise.

One reason why pilots do not bat an eye at an engine failure is that they have encountered it during training, and solved it, and then solved it again under much more difficult conditions. Then they learned how to crash-land an aircraft if none of the possible solutions worked, and performed some exhaustive swimming exercises in a pool for a good measure. 

The understanding that all arising problems can be tackled by applying a set of procedures is crucial for the pilot. Even in cases when the problem is yet unseen, there is an exhaustive list of measures to be tried just in case. There is no reason to panic if you know exactly what can be done to solve every problem.

• Repetition repetition repetition

Several paragraphs above state that pilots likely encounter every possible engine failure in training. That is an understatement. They probably already encountered the failure numerous times and navigated their way through all the necessary procedures on more occasions than they themselves would like. 

Drilling emergency procedures is one of the best ways to build confidence. For one, if you have done something enough times, you don’t have to think while doing it – your body does that for you. There are numerous stories of pilots who performed extraordinary feats and only later understood what they have actually done. As adrenaline kicks in, a human organism reverts to a kind of a primal state, doing tasks that are habitual and well-remembered. Pilot training uses this to everybody’s advantage.

• Clear procedures

There are several mantras you are likely to encounter when talking to pilots about emergency situations. “Aviate, navigate, communicate” is one of them. It is drilled into a pilot’s consciousness and describes a way to prioritize tasks at hand: keep an aircraft flying, then understand its positioning, then exchange information with other parties. Do not let yourself be distracted by things that are of secondary or tertiary importance, engage them only after the single most important task is done.

There are other mantras, such as ALERTS (checking Airspeed, looking of Landing spot, securing the Engine, Radioing emergency, setting Transponder to 7700, and securing the Seatbelt) often used by private pilots, while military ones have their sets of acronyms too. 

The point of all of them is to set a clear procedure that should be followed in every case, and which would show what well-learned skill should be prioritized at what time. 

• Taking a break

While many emergencies require immediate action, doing things impulsively is rarely a good idea. Taking a second or two to collect oneself, understand what is going on and then decide on a course of action is a procedure that helps many pilots to save lives.

It is what most pilots report doing first when they encounter a problem, as muscle memory of pulling a  sequence of levers serves its purpose only after the brain decides which sequence it should be. The break for reflection and contemplation often is just several moments long, but even that is enough to put the mind into the right state.

Technological improvements and advanced systems create safer aircraft. But what creates a safer pilot? 

The shortcomings of the current aviation safety system

Aviation safety is dependent on synergy, not just in the flight deck, but within the flight department as a whole. The hidden dangers of miscommunication and unconscious bias deteriorate our safety margins, limit our access to new talent, and hinder our operational functionality.  It is time for the third wave of aviation safety, and that must include unconscious bias training.

Following a series of fatal air crashes in the 1970s, the aviation industry became focused on how humans interact and communicate. A common trend of these crashes exposed the toxicity of the singular-captain mentality and revealed the necessity to educate aviators how to operate more collaboratively.  New training protocols, known as Crew Resource Management (CRM), rapidly washed over the industry and became the international standard still in practice today.  The initiative was so successful that the medical sector adopted its own form of CRM.

The second wave of aviation safety came decades later in the form of Safety Management System (SMS).  This system is a comprehensive approach to safety, which includes human factors training and the measuring of one’s flight department safety culture. 

Each wave of safety system amalgamates the importance of human interaction, communication and collaboration as essential components to aviation safety. Yet both systems overlook the fundamental structure that controls how humans interact and communicate – our unconscious bias.

The case for unconscious bias training

Unconscious bias, also known as implicit bias, is commonplace. We all have it. Despite the negative connotation around the concept, not all biases are bad. In fact, biases can be helpful. It is how we can quickly determine categories for safety: pet the house cat and leave the lion. That being said, biases formulated through societal and cultural influences can lead to the mischaracterization of a group or the perpetuation of outdated models. When this happens, our ability to interact collaboratively is diminished and safety is compromised. 

Unchecked unconscious bias can morph into discrimination, which results in a structure inherently unwelcoming to those that do not fit a specific default standard. Recent aviation research revealed that bias and discrimination were significant barriers in both the recruitment and retention of women in aviation.  Unchecked bias results in a highly homogenized industry, which diminishes aviation’s ability to innovate and collaborate, and it ultimately deteriorates safety.

Research shows that groups with diverse backgrounds are more creative and yield higher earning potential.  Further research revealed evidence that when these groups operated in a collaborative way, they made better decisions.  In aviation, better decisions means increased safety. 

The third wave of aviation safety must include unconscious bias training and coaching. Aviation regulatory bodies, trade associations and their leaders must demand this. Without understanding how our bias is negatively impacting our industry, we will be limiting our own success. Unchecked bias has the immediate effect of deteriorating safety culture and the perpetual consequence of restricting the industry’s access to a diverse talent pool.

Tapping into the talent pool

In the recruitment, hiring and promotion of individuals, unconscious bias can negatively affect the organization as a whole. We see this occur in other industries. When musicians auditioned behind a screen concealing their gender, it increased a female musicians’ likelihood to advance by 30%.  Accessing the top talent, those best for a job, will require hiring managers and leaders to question their hiring practices. To really understand where biases may be affecting the recruitment and retention of talent, organizations need to become educated on unconscious bias and use this lens to analyze structure and policy.

Unconscious bias exists even if a business genuinely pursues more diversity in its hiring process. Leaders and hiring executives may not be able to completely discard their unconscious bias. Therefore, education and the practice of recognizing unconscious bias is the preliminary step.  Through unconscious bias training, coaching and the process of implementing blind recruitment practices, leaders can ensure they are not limiting their own access to top talent. 

The training is needed not just at the executive level of an organization, but throughout the flight department and inside the flight deck.  Understanding our biases through unconscious bias training and coaching will allow us to work in a more collaborative way, become more efficient and productive. Most importantly, it is a necessary step for aviation safety.

About the authors

Kimberly Perkins is the Founder and President of the non-profit Aviation for Humanity and a Seattle-based Gulfstream 650 Captain and Safety Officer. Through her written work and public speaking, she has become a champion for diversity and inclusivity in the aviation industry. 

Arpad Szakal is an Executive Recruiter & Career Strategist. An aviation lawyer by background, he provides leadership advisory services and executive search solutions to a broad range of organisations within the aerospace sector. Arpad is an advocate for gender balance in the aviation industry and frequently publishes and speaks on the subject at industry events globally.

In this case, more and more aerospace-related education material becomes accessible to anyone who is either a freshman in the industry, an experienced pilot or just an enthusiast of aviation. People can choose from self-paced to training classes with a flexible schedule covering topics such as introduction to aviation and its business industry, crosswind landing or even airline launching. Learning has never been easier than now!

Aviation 101

This course suits anyone who either has long career years in aviation or may be interested in the aerospace ecosystem. 

Aviation 101 by Canvas Network offers nine video lessons that introduce numerous aviation topics such as Aircraft Systems, Aerodynamics, Flight Instruments, Airports, Airspace, Radio Communication & ATC, Aeromedical, Aviation Weather, Performance and Navigation. 

The course is divided into three sections, each of which includes three lessons and one test. After the course, you will be aware of basic aviation topics, also you will be able to describe the operation of aircraft systems, flight instruments at a fundamental level, and many more.

It is a perfect opportunity to explore the essentials of the aviation industry. All you need is a tablet or computer and a proper internet connection. 

Technology for Airlines: a Fresh Look at the Ecosystem

Do you want to get to know more about airline products and how aerospace startups improve air travel? This course presents a brief of the aerospace startup ecosystem and the tech innovations implemented by startups.

This course produced by Udemy covers four main topics, from the IT landscape and passenger journey to the airline product and relevant learning material.

After the course, you will be qualified at understanding the airline IT landscape, identifying gaps in the offering and recognizing the big players in the market.

Enroll in this course for free and discover relevant video content related to the aerospace startup ecosystem.

ABC of Flight Mechanics: How Do Planes Fly? 

Are you interested in learning more about the physics of flying or how aircraft works? Discover more about the aerospace industry and explore simple flight mechanics: from take-off and landing to the physics of flight.

The course, created by FutureLearn, covers an overall description of an airplane, lift, stall and ceiling, drag and propulsion forces, longitudinal stability, atmosphere physics and Newton’s laws applied to the aircraft.

After the course, you will be able to describe the forces applying on an aircraft at equilibrium or while maneuvering, also explain the effect of altitude on the flight characteristics of an airplane, and way more!

Most of these series courses are run multiple times. You can enroll for free and start a promising learning process even after the course starts. 

Find the dates of this course here.

Airplane Crosswind Landings

Get all the answers to any questions related processes of crosswind landings online! The course, initiated by Udemy, presents a learning material to students who have at least a basic understanding of the parts and controls of a small aircraft such as elevator, ailerons, rudder or more.

The course is divided into three sections of reading, watching the videos and taking the quiz. Firstly, you will read about how to make proper approaches and landings with crosswinds. Then you will watch a short video inside of each section and also take a short quiz to examine your new skills.

After finishing the course, you will be able to understand and explain how to control the aircraft during takeoff, approach, and landing with crosswinds.

Enroll in this course for free and become a master of crosswind landings.

Start up Airlines: How to launch an airline?

Are you interested in starting the airline? Or at least what is the process of founding the new airline? If you have essential knowledge of the aviation business ecosystem, this course is for you!

The course teaches students how to make a proper business and project plans and provides relevant learning material of possible costs for potential airline startup.

After finishing the course, you will be capable of understanding the particularity of an airline startup, identifying what to expect when starting up, and, of course, making the right decisions during the implementation of the product or service.

Watch the relevant video content for free and learn more about the very beginning of airline launching.

“Fire, Captain”! The co-pilot yelled. He turned around to look at the smoke billowing out from the rear of the airplane into the cabin. The passengers were screaming and trying to cover their noses from the acrid smell permeating throughout the cabin. He turned to me with fear in his eyes and repeated, “Cap, we’re on fire!”

As I turned to look back into the cabin, Alan, my co-pilot, turned back around and feverishly started opening his window. I immediately shouted at him to stop! Unfortunately, it was too late. He had managed to lower his window a few inches, and he instantly was engulfed by smoke seeking the only opening, and he blacked out in seconds from the dense smoke flowing past his face.

From the smell of the smoke that swirled past us, I was able to identify it as an electrical fire and immediately hit the master switch on the overhead panel and prayed that it would help reduce the threat that would engulf the passengers, crew and the entire aircraft. I also turned off all the radios on the instrument panel and had a moment’s confusion about my next action.

We were flying in a Twin Otter, DHC-6-100, and only 8 minutes into our flight to Bartica, a small village South West of Georgetown, the capital city of Guyana. To make matters worse, we were in a total whiteout, rain, and light turbulence. We had 14 passengers, two crew, and cargo on board. Bartica, our destination, was only a 15-minute flight from our departure, Timehri international airport under normal conditions.

It was a runway that had to be operated under visual flight rules (VFR) as Bartica was not an airport approved for instrument approach operations. Faced with the problem of having no way to continue to our destination due to the fire, the deteriorating weather conditions, and no communications, we were now in serious difficulty.

As I was deliberating possible actions, I risked a quick glance toward the cargo compartment and noticed a lessening of the smoke coming into the cabin.

I was trying to deal with many factors simultaneously while maintaining level flight around 2.000 feet. Fortunately, there were no obstacles in the area or high ground, so that was not an added concern.

Still maintaining course for Bartica, I noticed that Alan was slowly regaining his senses as the smoke lessened. I reached over and grabbed his shoulder. “Alan, close your window,” I said.

He opened his eyes and looked at me. “What Cap,” he asked groggily. “Close your window,” I repeated. He managed to shut the window and asked if we were still on fire? I told him that it looked as if the fire was confined to the electrical bay near the baggage compartment.

His eyes were all reddened from the smoke and teary-eyed as well. He looked back into the cabin and saw that the smoke had almost totally dissipated, and the passengers were somewhat calmer. He asked, “what do we do now?”

I said to him, “Our options are pretty limited. We are in Instrument Flight conditions, with no visibility, rain, and light turbulence. We have no alternative but to turn back to Timehri.”

Now, however, I was faced with new challenges. How to communicate my problem and how to let the tower know my intentions. My prior knowledge of aircraft equipment came into play. Before I became a pilot, I was an aircraft mechanic for many years and pretty knowledgeable about any aircraft I flew. I felt the smoke came from an electrical fire in the rear of the airplane where all the radio equipment was installed.

I decided to take a cautious gamble. I turned on the master switch and one of the VHF radios used to communicate with the tower. I asked Alan to keep looking at the rear of the cabin and let me know if more smoke was starting to come into the cabin. He said he did not notice an increase, and the smoke was dying down.

I quickly called the tower at Timehri on VHF #1, and declared an emergency! The tower operator said, “Please confirm you are declaring an emergency?”

“Affirmative,” I said, “Possible fire in the rear of the aircraft and returning to the airport.”

The tower operator responded, “Gulf Charlie Papa (GCP) – cleared for an instrument approach to Timehri, runway 06. Be aware, low cloud cover, approximately 500-foot ceiling, and rain at Timehri at this time, visibility is less than 1 mile.”

I replied, “negative on the instrument approach Timehri, and we only have the one VHF operating and no other navigation aids available due to the fire.”

There was a pause on the radio. Then the tower operator said, “Understand GCP, no navigation aids for an instrument approach to Timehri? Please state your intentions at this time.”

I pondered this for a few seconds. Having flown out of Timehri for years as a bush pilot and with the national airline, I had intimate knowledge of the airport and the surrounding area. Timehri airport was situated just inside a curve of the Demerara river and 95 feet above ground level.

I had made hundreds of visual approaches to Timehri, and I felt I had sufficient knowledge to try and make an approach to the runway without navigation aids (no ADF or VOR) in poor weather conditions. And, hoping that I would be making the right decision to pull off a safe landing.

I called the tower operator and advised him of my decision to make an unusual approach to the runway with no visual or instrument assistance. There was another pause, and then the tower operator said, “Understood Gulf Charlie Papa, cleared to land, runway 06, the wind is calm, runway surface is wet. Good luck, Captain.”

I decided to call the airline operations dispatch on HF radio and advise them of the emergency. I told Alan to look back into the cabin and check for more smoke as I turned on the HF radio. He immediately called out, “Smoke Cap, more smoke!” I quickly turned off the HF radio and realized that this was the problem with the electrical fire and smoke.

I then turned my attention to the approach to the runway at Timehri. I had made a quick notation of the time of the fire and calculated the estimated flight time back to the airport.

I tasked the co-pilot with the approach and pre-landing checklist and asked him to make sure the passengers were properly briefed for a possible emergency landing. Then I concentrated on making my initial approach based solely on time and an estimation of our approximate position to the airport.

We were still at 2.000 feet altitude, and after Alan completed the pre-landing checklist, I started to slow the Twin Otter and deployed 15-degree flap. We were entirely in instrument conditions and with no forward visibility whatsoever. Looking at the elapsed time on the clock, I estimated we were nearly at the airport.

When I felt we were directly over the airport, I proceeded to make a quasi instrument approach and a procedure turn to runway 06, trying to imitate an ADF approach to the airport. In the middle of the procedure turn, I started to lose altitude slowly and pulled back on the throttle levers to slow the aircraft, while trying to visualize the layout and our position relative to the airport. Deploying another flap setting to 20 degrees, I was now trying to line up on what I was hoping was the centerline of the runway.

We were now descending through 800 feet and still no forward visibility in the rain. I told Alan to keep his eyes on the flight and engine instruments to ensure we were maintaining a steady flight path and approach speed. All the while, I was desperately trying to spot any breaks in the cloud cover.

The Twin Otter is possibly the best aircraft for this type of unusual flight maneuver due to its Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities. Just as we descended below 500-feet, I saw lightening of the cloud and a hint of green, which would be the heavily forested area surrounding the Timehri airport.

We finally broke out of the cloud base at around 430 feet and noticed that we were just crossing the bend in the river, which was an indication that my procedure turn was almost spot-on, and we were not far off the runway centerline. The windshield wipers were trying valiantly to wipe away the rain, and I saw that we were only a few degrees off of runway 06.

I felt I had been holding my breath for what seemed like a long time, and finally allowed myself to breathe again! The tower operator broke in with, “GCP, I have you in sight and clear to land runway 06.” I noticed then the fire trucks and rescue equipment with flashing lights parked along the side of the runway.

I turned slightly to line up on runway 06, pulled back on the throttle levers, and managed a passable landing onto the concrete surface. I cracked the throttle levers into beta range, but would not need reverse thrust due to the length of the runway. I slowly applied the brakes, and as we rolled past the fire trucks, I heard clapping and shouting from the passengers who were happy that we landed safely.

When we arrived at the terminal, every one of the passengers wanted to shake my hand and thank me for getting them back on the ground alive! What a great feeling of relief for me, and for each of them.

Article submitted by

Dave Rohee

Aviation writer for Modelworksdirect.com

+1 561 935-9553

Info@aviationhotshot.com

www.aviationhotshot.com

Aviation Freelance Journalist & Published Author

Gender Imbalance

The number of women in non-traditional roles, such as pilots and engineers, exposes an uneven balance of gender in the workplace, which exists in a way up to the board level. According to Women in Aviation International, 6.6% of women are pilots in the US. In Canada, statistics show that only 5.2% of licensed airplane pilots are women. Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority shows, only 3.3% of licensed air transport pilots are female.

Moreover, according to the Royal Academy of Engineering, only 6% of the UK’s engineering professionals are females, and a Labor Force Survey from 2004 concludes that there is an even lower proportion of women working in aerospace than engineering in general (11% compared with 19%).

Female Role Models

“Part of today’s problem is just down to the lack of visible role models in aviation,” believes Clare Parker MD of Academist Help. She further added: “Most ladies feel uncomfortable flying an aircraft, as so few are working in the cockpits.”

“The fact cannot be denied that if young women were continually exposed to successful role models in the aviation industry, then more young girls would believe non-traditional roles are achievable for them too.” Says Alexandra Karanika, Project Engineer at Hellenic Aerospace Industry.

Hence, if a young girl sees a woman in aviation with a successful career, she may be more inclined to consider it as something good for her as well. Exposing young girls to aviation is vital to fulfilling the workforce needs of this industry.

While Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, the director of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, also its first female president in 2010, asserts that cultural norms take time to change. “The more women know stories about the achievements of their predecessors, demonstrating in books and through different media, the more they can envision those roles for themselves,” she said.

Setting Examples

Airbus is a somewhat setting example of how commercial organizations should support female to enter into the aviation industry. It runs many activities to encourage girls into engineering. Airbus has also launched the Industrial Cadets (IC) program that has taught hundreds of girls about aeronautical engineering and aviation. Moreover, giving young women hands-on experience of flying also plays a big part in inspiring them to pursue a career in the aviation and aerospace sectors.

“The Women of Aviation Worldwide” week was celebrated in March 2013, which exposed more than 17,000 girls worldwide to the opportunities available in the aviation industry. The organizers discovered that more than 76% of the attendees had never exposed to aviation activities before the event.

Women Onboard

“Businesses with the highest representation of women IN their top management teams delivered 35.1% higher return on equity and 34% higher total return to shareholders than companies with the lowest representation”. (US-based Catalyst)

To achieve the above, women need to be more confident, capable, and wise with their abilities and improve their communication and networking skills. It is harder for them to grow in environments such as aviation or aerospace, where they are widely outnumbered, but effective networking is vital. Also, mentoring is a crucial factor for them to make their next career move.

However, it is believed to be easier for men to mentor other men, hence encouraging men to be comfortable mentoring women is a goal that an organization Women In Aviation and Aerospace Committee is currently working onto.

The Need for Women in Aviation

Since its inception in the last decade, the aviation industry has utilized a prominent contribution of women as essential in the development of the aviation industry worldwide. Women have achieved milestones in every sector of the industry from developing technologies, maintaining and testing to piloting aircraft.

Despite the role women have played in aviation as inventors, technicians, designers, and pilots, there is still a surprisingly low representation of women in aviation worldwide. As only 3% of worldwide pilots are women, while in the US, only 4.4% of pilots are women.

Get Women to the Industry

As mentioned earlier, there are many ways by which the aviation industry can attract and retain women with abilities. Encouraging them to be a part of the field can be a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer.

Highlighting the economic and productivity argument above, it is proven that having more women in senior management score higher in all dimensions of organizational productivity and effectiveness. Also, encouraging the education system to demonstrate careers in the aerospace and aviation industry to young girls can be beneficial as well.

Women working in senior positions should be highlighted as role models, as it’s encouraging for newbies to see women seeking a good career in top management. Moreover, the retention after recruitment in the sector is essential to resolve biases.

HR policies play an essential role in initiating and maintaining the strategic imperative for companies hindering the progress of women. To do this, diversity-related objectives must be built into personal progression objectives and should be transformed throughout the organization. Also, flexibility, wellbeing, and leadership need to be aligned with mutual goals as stressful working environments may put women off going for the top level designations.

Lastly, as men are currently in more senior positions than women, the support of men in leadership can help create a more friendly work environment.

Women In Training

Boeing estimates that the world will need more than 55,800 licensed pilots to fulfill the growing needs for the air travel industry by 2034. Hence, a large number of airlines have taken initiatives to inspire more females and convince them to join the aviation sectors as pilots.

Nowadays, there is plenty of career opportunities targeted for growing women in the aviation industry as more airlines are encouraging women to join their team as pilots. Moreover, there are exponentially increasing number of scholarships, specially allotted for females in different aviation schools to motivate them.

Below is a list of scholarships available for women interested in completing pilot training.

· The International Society of Women Airline Scholarship

· The Ninety-Nines, INC. Scholarships

· Girls With Wings Scholarship

· Women in Aviation, International Scholarships

· Women in Corporate Aviation Scholarships

Thanks to the above opportunities, the industry is hoping to see an increase in the number of women pilots to help fulfill the industry needs.

The Changing Image

Traditionally, different airlines were advertising their services by representing male pilots and female flight attendants. However, currently, this monopoly has started to break down as many airlines are now tapping into a new resource, that is; women with pilot licenses.

A number of Female pilots can now be seen in advertisements and proudly represented in the informational material of the airlines across the globe.

Final Words

Apparently, more and more women are completing their pilot training and becoming expert industry instructors, while convincing decision-makers to believe that the industry is becoming more inviting for aspiring female to be pilots. Moreover, Women still have a hard time making their careers in the aviation industry; however, we can already see a positive trend for inspiring young blood by demonstrating great examples.

Aviation companies are now creating more and more programs to attract and encourage women to work in positions that were considered to be ideal for men only years ago. It is excellent that the aviation industry has finally realized that the intellectual value is independent of gender, and women are no less than men when it comes to taking the aircraft above the clouds.

Author Bio:

Stella is a single mother, full-time travel blogger and an academic writer. She is a former business graduate, also a contributor at Australian Master. She owns a blog named Educator House and is a world schooling enthusiast.

Aerospace engineering is not just a career option for astronauts, even though that is among one of the potential outcomes. While doing Aerospace engineering, you will study subjects like thermodynamics, propulsion, structure, and avionics. However, there are still a couple of careers you can pursue after you graduate as an Aerospace engineer.

A Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace can be an ideal choice if you love physics and math. Also, if you like working on the computer and building new things, a career in Aerospace is enough to keep you happy.

The Aerospace industry is immense and requires technicians and engineers every year with the number growing exponentially while there is a shortage of capable workforce. Hence, a whole lot of job opportunities are available from engineering technicians, template makers and control tool programmers to technical writers and graphic analysts.

Below are 12 job options you can get having an Aerospace engineering degree with a good paycheck.

1. Mechanical / Aerospace Engineer

Several components of aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft are made to work better or more efficiently. Aerospace engineers research these potential advances and design them accordingly. From tiny sensors or large jet engines, they develop new and better aerospace technologies for current and future needs.

Aerospace engineers design, test and assemble spacecraft or aircraft. They may also need to get trained propulsion and missile guidance systems and lead their own teams. As a bonus, having an Earth Sciences or Biological Sciences background can add cherry to the cake.

2. Aircraft / Spacecraft Designer

Increasing demand of commercial air travels both business and personal, have led to more demand for designers of state-of-the-art machines that will be safer and more efficient with each passing year.

Aircraft design engineers can utilize their creative, scientific, mathematical, and inventive minds. Their work experience helps them to be excellent communicators and team players; since an aircraft requires the work of many people working together toward a standard end product. They can visualize problems in three-dimensional forms because of their advantage of the knowledge of both mechanics and creativity.

3. Compliance Officer

Compliance officers in the Aerospace industry are responsible for making sure the people in the air and on the ground are safe. They ensure all kinds of safety and security laws and regulations are designed and applied to grab any and every imperfection before anyone gets hurt. Aerospace and aviation manufacturers employ compliance officers as well as third-party agencies that provide air or space travel safety with governmental assurance.

4. Drafter

Sketches and specification sheets are filled with accuracy before any spacecraft, aircraft or missile is built. Drafters prepare these intricate and documents that show every aspect of the object, make SOP for their use, and question those specifications from every angle.

5. Military Aerodynamic Engineer

The CEO of Crowd Writer Mr. Jacob Howard believes:

“In the aeronautical industry, it is no longer about sticking to the traditional career options, but it is all about trying out new and exciting alternatives to build a professional yet creative life”.

As Jacob said; there is a non-conventional way for aerospace engineers to keep military strength innovative through technologies to decrease collateral damage as much as possible. As a revolution in the field, military Aerodynamic engineers have developed much safer combat droids and laser-guided weapons systems to aid soldiers in wars while keeping their countries and the world safer.

6. Aerospace Technician

Technicians are essential members of an Aerospace teams. They are intended to installs, maintain, test, and repair equipment that is being used in the domain or developed for the future. Aerospace technicians are needed as part of every research department by Aerospace and aviation manufacturers and airlines.

7. Data Processing Manager

More of Aerospace engineering has been shifted to computer arousals that can help conduct research with less time and money. Thanks to artificial intelligence, engineers can process the data collected in these arousals and determine how to use it to deploy new solutions and get them to market more rapidly. Hence, there is a considerable scope of Aerospace engineers in the data processing market.

8. Flight Technicians

The job responsibility of a flight technician in the Aerospace industry depends on the field chosen by him/her. There are many kinds of technicians in the Aerospace industry, including aircraft mechanics, aeronautical technicians, and avionics technicians. They are in charge of the maintenance, testing, and operation of spacecraft or aircraft and their control systems. They are the people everyone relies on for approvals and safety.

9. Pilot / Staff Crew

Being onboard of a spacecraft is a dream job to many. Hence, that clearly means that competition is fierce for these jobs and as a pilot or any other crew member, you can get the opportunity to fly beyond the layers of the planet. That’s why a sound knowledge of spacecraft engineering will help you get on board.

You also need to be physically fit and pass a series of medical exams as well. Each member of the crew is assigned an individual role so that the whole team covers all mechanical requirements for the flight. This makes the flight crew valuable and reduces the chances of any misfortune.

10. Payload Specialist

These vacancies may be created for a limited time, such as for a single space mission only, and are usually filled by researchers or experts in the field. Payload specialists are the crew members on space missions to the space stations, recruited to help with experimentation and other work critical on a space mission. They also accompany a piece of equipment to install or use it in the purpose properly.

11. Rocket Scientists

Rocket scientists assess space-related technologies and evaluate possible outcomes of inventions through research. Also, diagnose mission-necessary hardware. As a rocket scientist, your job responsibility will include testing propelling systems of spacecraft and designing engines to make them more efficient.

12. Technical Communicators

Technical Communicators are the bridge between the flight crew and experts on the ground. You may need excellent communications skills, and the capability to make complicated scientific terms understandable. You may also be in charge of creating technical memos, secure communication between different departments, and ensuring the overall transmission flow within the organization.

Conclusion

According to research, the average annual income in aeronautics in the U.S. is around 105,380 USD. Even if employment in the area is projected to be decreased by 2% until 2024, opportunities are in favor of those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and are skilled to work hard on dynamic software.

Working in the Aerospace industry is not a piece of cake. You’ll need extraordinary analytical skills, a seriously responsible attitude, and out of the box creativity. However, all these capabilities will get you the rare opportunity to be part of a very particular and fantastic industry. They don’t call it to rocket science for anything.

Author Bio:

Stella is a single mother, full-time travel blogger and an academic writer. She is a former business graduate, also a contributor at Australian Master. She owns a blog named Educator House and is a world schooling enthusiast.

Many people think that the type of the aircraft does not affect the type of landing. It is also believed that only skilled pilots can land an aircraft smoothly.

A smooth landing depends on the (flare) The flare follows the final approach phase and precedes the touchdown and roll-out phases of landing. which lifts up the aircraft nose before 30ft and it also depends on the throttle where the power of the engine is reduce by slowly turning it off until the landing gear touches down the ground.

A pilot should always have a good sense of timing, so they don’t turn the engine off seconds after the landing gear touches the ground.

The type of the aircraft can also impact a smooth landing, however, not significantly, as we know there are many types of landing gear (Tricycle ,Tandem Landing Gear, one row as in the A320 and MD90 (close to the belly of the plane) ,two or three rows like the boeing777 (Far from the belly of the plane)..etc (this type of landing can be performed easy by the two or three rows type of landing gear).

(BOEING 777-300ER Landing Gear)

As for the skill of the pilot, it does not have a big role because there are weather conditions, crosswinds, traffic, runway pressure, materials used for runway paving, ground spoiler, and different computers systems from aircraft to another.

Those situations are not dangerous because airliners are built to handle stresses well beyond the typical hard landing. But beyond consideration for the equipment, a pilot’s job is to get passengers to their destinations as safely and as comfortably as possible. Providing smooth landings is one way pilots show their skill and finesse, and it’s something all pilots strive for.

Bon voyage!

-Bader Al-Kalaldeh

A memo, which was reportedly sent out on September 24, states that “significant surplus of pilots must be reduced” as the airline hopes “that there will be sufficient applications for unpaid leave/part time, so we do not have to resort to job losses” at various bases in the United Kingdom during the winter season.

Ryanair blames the  Boeing 737 MAX as the culprit of the down-sizing. On August 9, 2019, announced that it will definitively close several bases around Europe, Ryanair blamed the “late delivery of up to 30 Boeing MAX aircraft”. Less than two weeks before the announcement, Ryanair had revealed their Q1 FY2020 results, with diminishing profits and rising expenses being blamed also on the MAX groundings.

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary has expressed annoyance that Ryanair might receive zero 737 MAXs in 2019 – a situation which is more than likely to happen if “Boeing don’t get their s***t together pretty quickly with the regulators”, as O’Leary noted. Before the groundings, the carrier expected 58 deliveries, but now assumes that only 30 737 MAX aircraft will be delivered to it before the summer season.

The offer to take up to 12 months of unpaid leave, which was mostly encouraged due to the fact that there is a small number of available vacancies in other European bases, comes shortly after Ryanair’s BALPA pilots canceled their planned “five further days of strike action”. 

BALPA announced the cancelation of the industrial action on September 20, 2019. The union has, however, indicated that the relationship with the airline remains “acrimonious”. The union has also accused Ryanair of having “reverted to type, electing to punish pilots by withdrawing their travel benefits” instead of engaging in negotiations. Ryanair has withdrawn travel benefits for pilots after the union chose to walk out following the failed negotiations regarding the working conditions of the pilots, according to BALPA.

BALPA “retains the ability to set new strike dates should it be necessary” – and it is as if Ryanair has given them the necessity to do so with the latest announcement of potential job cuts. In an email, a spokeswoman for BALPA, Charlotte Branson, has noted that the union is “aware of the memo” and “Ryanair have offered to negotiate, but not via ACAS”. The association is considering its options. 

On September 25, Ryanair launched new routes from its home base, Dublin Airport (DUB). Starting summer 2020, four new Ryanair routes will connect Marseille (MRS), Palanga (PLQ), Podgorica (TGD) and Verona (VRN) with Dublin (DUB). Announcing the new routes, Chief Marketing Officer of Ryanair, Kenny Jacobs noted that the new routes “will deliver 17.2 million costumers per annum and support over 12,900 jobs*”, which are “on-site” at five Irish airports. The news did not include an explanation about the asterisk near the number of jobs the routes will support.

Aviation college train pilots, but also other complementary occupations like air traffic controllers. In this article, we listed the best aviation schools.

Top aviation colleges and schools

Did you know that pilots and flight engineers are among the top 20 highest paying jobs in the U.S?

Some world-leading flight academies are located in the USA. Bachelor degree in aviation will get you practical flight and ground aviation knowledge, aviation laws, and FAA regulations. You should also be prepared for Federal Aviation Administration certificates. Aviation colleges are demanding, and a lot of time and effort is needed to become pilot. For those overwhelmed with the program, they could use some help with dissertation or additional tutors for advanced technical subjects.

If you want to become a pilot, and you are ready to put in the effort, here are the best aviation colleges in the USA.

Purdue University

Located in the West Lafayette, Indiana Purdue has seven significant undergraduate programs that include Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Aviation Management, Aerospace Financial Analysis, Airline Management and Operations, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Airport Management and Operations, and Professional Flight. Purdue has a nickname “The Cradle of Astronauts,” as a university from which Neil Armstrong graduated. It also has a fleet of 27 aircraft’s, with Cirrus SR20 leading in numbers with 16 planes. Purdue campus has around 30,000 undergraduate students.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The oldest and most significant aviation university programs claim that airlines hire more ERAU graduates than from any other college. Embry-Riddle has three campuses located in Daytona Beach, Florida; Prescott, Arizona and ERAU Worldwide & WorldWide Online. The university has a hefty tuition fee of $50,570. It also has more than 90 airplanes, over 40 simulators and somewhere around 7,000 students.

More than 60 degree programs are ranging from aeronautical science, which is the flight program to air traffic control and business administration. It is the only university with a doctorate in aviation.

University of North Dakota

Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota the John D.Odegard School of Aerospace Studies has two aviation degree programs. UND has a fleet of over 120 airplanes, helicopters and drones, and around 900 students in the flight programs which is regarded as one of the best in the country. The university offers Airport Management, Aviation Management, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Technology Management, Commercial Aviation, and Flight Education.

Western Michigan University

College of Aviation at Western Michigan University has 75 years of tradition and is ranked among top 100 public universities in the country. Among 24,000 students in WMU, around 900 goes to flight school. The aviation department is located in W.K.Kellog Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan, and WMU College of Aviation has substantial fleet led by 26 Cirus SR20 aircraft. The major programs offered in the College of Aviation include aviation flight science, aviation management and operations, and aviation maintenance, technician.

Ohio State University

Founded in 1917, the flight program at Ohio State University is among the oldest and best aviation colleges in the world. With its long tradition, OSU has numerous partnerships with established agencies with opportunities for internships and employment. Located in Columbus, Ohio, OSU within the Engineering’s Center for Aviation Studies offers a bachelor of science in aviation and professional pilot specialization with opportunity for students to earn commercial pilot’s certificate. Ohio State has around 45,800 students enrolled. The university fleet includes 10 Cessna 172.

Conclusion

Other notable universities with flight programs include California Institute of Technology, Arizona State University Polytechnic and Hallmark University. An excellent alternative is the United States Air Force Academy, which offers high-class and demanding education with possibilities to learn and fly far more advanced aircraft.

Aviation offers excellent job opportunities, but these are very demanding colleges and programs. When you look for flight schools, research the university and the college ranking, examine their equipment, primarily aircraft fleet, and look for tuition costs that may vary depending on the program and location.

Guest article written by: Robert Everett is a long-term blog post and article Freelance writer. His culture-savvy and educational background, as well as contribution to various media outlets, helped him developed a personal style with the ability to write about different topics. He is not reluctant to share his vast knowledge and experience with the audience and to share his insights via articles and blog posts.

Avia Solutions Group company BAA Training and HNCA will operate a commercial aircraft aviation training center called BAA Training Chin, under a franchise license. The center is to provide a full scope of pilot, cabin crew and ground handling training facilities.

With a $60 million planned investment, the new center is to have six full flight simulators (FFS) of Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 family aircraft types. The company expects the first full flight simulator to be ready for training in the second half of 2020. 

Total capacity of the training center will be 4,000 pilots per year. The center is expected to provide 30.000 hours of theoretical training courses and up to 40.000 hours in full flight simulator for pilots per year.

BAA Training China is going to be located at Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone (ZAEZ), close to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO). In addition to training facilities, the new establishment is going to be equipped with perks such as a luxury lounge with a library, massage seats and various entertainment options.

“This is a next step in our diligent pursuit towards strategic goal to have 50 FFS network by 2025 and to become a leading, independent from FFS manufacturers, full-scope aviation training service provider for global aviation industry,” Gediminas Ziemelis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Avia Solutions Group is quoted as saying in the company’s statement. 

“We just recently opened our new location with capacity of 4 full flight simulators in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and we are planning to step into Italy and Spain with our own simulators and training programs by the end of 2021”.

Earlier in July 2019, BAA Training opened an aviation training center in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), which offers A320 pilot training. The first group of student pilots are expected to begin training in August 2019, while the first of four Airbus A320 flight simulators, for theA320neo, is expected to arrive by the end of the year. 

Have you always dreamed of becoming one of the cabin crew members on board a flight, but you were unsure whether you fit the requirements? Maybe you have some other questions that relate to a career in the skies?

We‘ll try to answer some of the most searched questions on various search platforms and the questions we get asked on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CabinCrewJobsAviationCV/!

So, let’s start!

Do Cabin Crew members need a passport?

Absolutely. In order to travel throughout various countries, you need a passport.

And since you will travel throughout many countries while working in the air, a passport is a must.

What‘s the minimum age requirement to work as a Flight Attendant?

The minimal age is 18. In some countries or more prestigious airlines the age limit might be higher – you have to be at least 21 years old. But usually, the minimum age requirement is for you to be 18.

Do you need a college degree to start working as a Cabin Crew member?

No, you only need a high school diploma, which is a must. However, as you advance further in your career and you attempt to become maybe the manager of flight crews, a college or university diploma will definitely help you out. It depends on your future goals, but a university or college degree won‘t hurt anybody.

Do you need courses prior to joining an airline?

Not every time. It really depends on the airline that you‘re joining, but some airlines do provide training to people that have not got any certificate or experience working as a flight attendant.

For example, low-cost carriers like Ryanair or Wizz Air that are always on the lookout for people, offer flight attendant courses for free, but you‘re bound to work for the airline for a certain amount of time.

You also have the option to attend the courses independently at facilities like BAA Training.

Can you have tattoos when working as a Flight Attendant?

No visible tattoos. That means that your neck, head, hands, wrists, legs below the knees have to be completely clean from any tattoos.

While there is nothing wrong with having tattoos, some cultures or people do not take lightly to a tattoo. So, it‘s better for the airlines to prevent any PR disasters from happening beforehand. As a result, airlines do not employ Flight Attendants with visible tattoos.

Can I cover up my tattoos as a Flight Attendant?

You can, but some airlines during your interview or recruitment process directly ask you if you have any tattoos. However, some airlines do not allow any coverups.

So, you have to convince the recruiters that you will cover up your tattoo and you‘re a one-of-a-kind candidate and maybe you will have a chance of working as a Flight Attendant.

What are the height requirements for A Cabin Crew member?

You should be at least 158 centimeters (5.2 ft) tall. The main purpose of this requirement is your arms reach, which also should be at least 210 centimeters (6.10 ft), as you have to unload luggage from the overhead compartments or shut them close.

If you can‘t reach them, well – you can‘t do your job as a Cabin Crew!

Can I work as a Flight Attendant and not know how to swim?

Unfortunately, there is no way around this. Safety requirements dictate that you are able to swim at least 25 meters unassisted. While a situation where your swimming skills would be put to use are very rare, but when they do happen – it‘s very important that a Flight Attendant knows how to swim.

Can Cabin Crew members wear glasses or contact lenses?

Good news is that yes, you can wear either glasses or contact lenses while working as a Flight Attendant!

However, there is some bad news as well. Your vision needs to meet certain standards, so if your vision is too bad without glasses or lenses, unfortunately, airlines won‘t accept your application. The usual requirements for vision are that your diopters need to be between +/- 4, in some cases 5.

The glasses of a Cabin Crew member also need to follow the guidelines of the uniform. Usually, that means that your glasses cannot be “casual” and your lenses cannot come with color.

Another thing to consider is that the air in an aircraft is quite dry. As a result, your eyes with contact lenses can dry even further. So be prepared to work long hours in a dry environment and buy proper lenses.

Can Flight Attendants wear braces?

It depends per airline, but most of the time the answer is no. Because airlines follow a strict uniform protocol, having a clean smile is one of the top items on the list.

If you‘re currently wearing braces and are debating whether it‘s worth taking them off for a job as a cabin crew member, it‘s not. There will always be a demand for Flight Attendants and you‘ve already spent the money, so it is totally not worth it.

Are male candidates considered when applying for a job as a Flight Attendant?

Absolutely yes! However, be aware some airlines might be secretly not accepting male candidates. Some might be much more open about this fact, so just check the requirements under each job ad.

How do I find work as a Cabin Crew member or a Flight attendant?

The answer is quite simple! You simply need to apply for jobs or recruitment events right here. Afterward, you will either attend an event organized by the airline or will be assessed online. If you succeed, you will get a job!

But remember, that you NEVER pay for Flight Attendant training before signing an official contract. Be aware!

Why is working as a Flight Attendant or Cabin Crew good or fun?

Finally, the most important question of them all!

In short, working as a Flight Attendant is fun! You get to travel all around the world, get to see the world from above, work on a flexible schedule, and while you’re on holidays – your flight tickets are much cheaper.

So, while your friends sit in the office in front of their computer screens, you have the chance to look out of the window of an aircraft and enjoy the spectacular views!

Have we missed any questions that you might have? Do not be afraid to ask, as we’ll try to answer them!

During the winter, bankruptcies and staff lay-offs have shaken up the aviation industry, especially in Europe. Rising fuel costs, the growth of passenger numbers slowing and thin profit margins were many of the factors that put a strain on the bank balances of airlines in Europe, especially on the small and medium-sized carriers.

Brexit also provided an issue – the uncertainty has shifted the choices of travelers, especially in Britain – holidays are spent in destinations that do not require getting in on an aircraft.

While stranded passengers get offered discounts on flights in order to reach their destination, employees of a bankrupt airline do get stranded. However, after a storm, there‘s always a ray of bright sunshine. As one chapter of a pilot‘s career closes, a new one opens.

Nevertheless, compared to last year, the tendencies of pilot recruitment have changed. Both for the pilots, who are looking for a job and for the airlines, determined to fill their cockpits with new people.

Small players opened up an opportunity to the big boys

There is no denying that the recent collapse of several airlines in Europe, namely Germania or FlyBMI doesn‘t carry the same impact as a hypothetical bankruptcy of Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) or British Airways.

But when airlines such as Germania or FlyBMI do declare bankruptcy, it provides an opportunity for the big carriers in the continent.

The most common issue within the aviation industry is the fact that airlines are struggling to fill the seat of a captain or a first officer on a flight. As passenger numbers increase, airlines have to keep up with the demand to sustain their business.

So, when smaller airlines do go bust, the open pilot pool fills with new talent. For example, Ryanair used the FlyBMI bankruptcy as an opportunity to offer pilots a new career opportunity with a video from Peter Bellew’s, the Chief Operations Officer of the company, Twitter account.

Pilot Career Show events that are organized on a short-notice also provide opportunities for pilots and airlines to recruit new people. For instance, when WOW Air declared bankruptcy, more than 1000 people lost their jobs, including pilots. But a rapid set-up roadshow event with multiple airline representatives in Reykjavik soothed the situation out.

An airline bankruptcy doesn’t signal the end of a pilot’s career.

However, you never should sleep on the fact that you’re not the only one aiming for the glorious pilot spot at the prestigious airlines. As more airlines go bust, more talent is available to the big carriers. As a result, they might get picky and aim for the perfect candidates.

But for a pilot, the most important thing after losing a job are the following three words:

Last Flight Date.

If the last time you flew when you’re applying for a job was a couple of years ago, tough luck – airlines will simply reject you because of that fact.

Thus, while you’re exploring new horizons while flying, it’s crucial that you do that when you’re looking for a job as well.

New horizons in Asia

Europe is and always was a hotspot for pilots that are looking for a job. Great career opportunities with attractive salary packages have always lured more pilots to Europe.

Yet that is changing.

There is no denying that the aviation industry in Asia, including the Middle East, is growing at an unprecedented rate. As economies grow in China, India and other parts of the continent, more people are able to afford to travel with an aircraft.

Let’s take China for example. In 1990, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, there were 114 international and 1346 domestic airline routes.

In 2017, the numbers have skyrocketed to 5545 international and 49611 domestic routes. Passenger numbers have also grown massively – from 16.6 million in 1990 to 515 million in 2017.

To sustain such massive growth, airlines first and foremost have to have the aircraft and flight crews to serve customers.

According to Airbus’ order and delivery data, as of May 2019 European airlines have ordered 3792 Airbus aircraft. In contrast, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East regions have ordered 6164 Airbus’ in total.

In addition, Airbus predicts that the Asia-Pacific market will need 219 040 new pilots by 2037. The Middle East? 56 570.

Airlines, especially in China, desperately need new pilots. Not only do they invest in flight schools all over the world, but they also lure pilots from established brands by offering great paychecks and benefits. Looking at the jobs available for Non-type rated Captains and First officers at Aviationcv.com, most of them are located in Asia-Pacific.

There is no secret that the growth of tourism has a massive impact on these numbers.

As summer operations ramp up at airlines, when more people are flying to their holiday destinations, summer opportunities for pilots also open up.

During the warm months of the year, ACMI becomes a very hot acronym in the industry.

ACMI and a pilot‘s career

In order to avoid buying aircraft that airlines won‘t need on a permanent basis after the summer travel craze, carriers turn to ACMI and Charter airlines that provide aircraft leasing.

The benefits of ACMI operations are obvious to airlines, as they do not buy aircraft upfront and can cover their operations for a short period of time, do not deal with the long recruitment process and don‘t have to worry about maintenance.

But what about pilots?

Firstly, as I mentioned above, Last Flight Date is very important when you‘re looking for a new pilot career opportunity. Moreover, ACMI and Charter operators offer pilots contracts for the summer.

As a result, you will update your last flight date to become very recent and if by the end of summer your contract runs out, you are still in a great position to increase your chances of getting a job at another airline afterward.

Secondly, ACMI operators can offer pilots permanent positions. It’s almost like a summer internship for students, except you get paid and you get to keep your piloting skills in check, even get a job offer.

Additionally, these airlines do not exclusively operate in the summer, they fly throughout the year. Differently to regular airlines, ACMI operators can offer something exciting – different locations that you can explore while working as a pilot because their route structure fluctuates based on their clients.

Proactive instead of reactive

All in all, the number one tip for pilots to survive the bankruptcy of an airline is to stay proactive and stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends in airlines, including their own employer.

Of course, you have to do so without crossing the line, as your loyalty to your job is as important as your skills as a pilot.

Explore new horizons, regions and airline employment prospects. Remember that after a dark winter, the summer’s sun will shine brightly.

And if you’re struggling to find a job as a pilot, you can contact us right here and we will help you out as much as we can.

At first glance, a career as a pilot might look like an excellent option. You get to soar through the beautiful skies, work in different countries and meet a lot of people in the destinations that you land.

You hear inspiring stories, such as the one where a man worked his way up from a cleaner to a pilot or the example where a pilot saves everyone’s lives by landing an aircraft safely in the river. A pilot career sure does sound good on paper. But nobody is perfect, right? While there are obvious benefits, there are some disadvantages as well.

So, if you‘re wondering whether it’s worth it to become a pilot, let‘s look at the pros and cons of a career in the sky.

Pilot Career Pros

Starting with the good side of things, a pilot career can be very rewarding:

1. The wages are high. It’s a well-known open secret that pilots get paid very well. While a pilot’s salary would be lower when you’re starting out your career, for example, at Ryanair, the more you move up the ladder and start to pilot bigger aircraft, the bigger your paycheck gets. Pilots can earn up to $200 000 per year!
2. It’s an adventure every time you step into the cockpit. The excitement of firing up the engines, making them go full-thrust and take off will never get old. Seeing the beautiful sunsets or even stormy skies is a sight that will always amaze even the most seasoned pilots.
3. Traveling the world. Essentially, you’re transferring people around the world from one point to another. But you also get to travel yourself! Even when a pilot is not working, airlines do allow pilots to book cheap tickets to various places, which allows you to explore places that you always dreamt of seeing.
4. It’s rewarding. Your first solo flight, your first landing, your first flight to a new destination, flying an aircraft is rewarding from the moment you step into the cockpit. Also, the fact that you worked hard and finally get to do what you have prepared for a few years is definitely rewarding!
5. You never stop learning. The aviation industry never stops evolving and you, as a pilot will never stop improving as well. Flying keeps you on your toes both practically and theoretically. If you ever stop learning, well, you‘re going to be out of a job!

Simply put, flying an aircraft is an exciting adventure that rewards you greatly, both mentally and well, financially.

But as I mentioned above, there are is a negative side to a pilot career.

Pilot Career Cons

Nevertheless, you got to take in the bad things with the good.

1. You need a deep bank account. While you will earn a lot of money as an airline pilot later down the years, the first few years might cost you up to $100 000. For example, if you would attend a Wizz Air cadet course at BAA Training, will set you back €62 000. However, that price does not include your medical license, CAA exams, and the issuing of a license. On top of that, you will have to pay for accommodation and other living expenses while you attend the course.
2. A steep learning curve. Future pilots have to take more than 10 exams to get a pilot license that allows them to fly commercial aircraft. In addition, pilots have to fly for a lot of hours on simulators and aircraft with smaller engines. Not only it does take time, but if you’re not attending a cadet course, every hour flown on an aircraft will set you back a lot of money.
3. Missing out on holidays. Working in an airline means that you will have to adapt to their roster options and as a result, you might miss out on your favorite nephew’s birthday or such family holidays like Christmas. Despite the fact that you are able to switch rosters with other pilots, sometimes you will have no other choice but to work and miss the time with your family. Hence, if you plan a career as a pilot, take into consideration the fact that it is quite hard to create a family.
4. A lot of stress. While it is exciting to fly an aircraft, you have to remember that you are in control of the lives of hundreds of passengers. Sure, you train for every scenario that could go wrong, but sometimes freak accidents and mistakes do happen. Even if nobody on your aircraft passes away, a traumatic event can still impact your mental health – a topic that anyone rarely covers and has been recently highlighted by an article about Qantas Flight QF72.
5. Losing your career in an instant because of medical reasons. Some airlines do provide medical license loss insurance, but if you lose your ability to fly an aircraft after 5, 10 or 20 years, your whole career is gone in an instant. It would be a pity and it does rarely happen, but it is a possibility that your whole life dedicated to being a pilot would be taken away because of a.

When taking all things into consideration, a pilot career is still a dream. Stress and health issues can arise in any career path that you take, so they should not deter you from thinking about flying an aircraft above the beautiful Atlantic ocean one day.

And well, if investing in yourself means that you have to have a deep pocket, then so be it. Loans and financing are available.

All in all, considering all the pros and cons, when you ask yourself is it worth becoming a pilot? Absolutely.

If the answer is no, then ask yourself again, until that no turns into a yes!

Both sides that is.

Most interviews are created from the point of view of the employer. The things the employer needs for a particular role around culture, potential, skills, attributes and outcomes.

I decided to turn it on it’s head and asked the candidates what they thought of the recruitment / interview process experience and if they had any ideas on what might work better.

The industries I work in predominantly are very process driven with a high degree of technical competency and detailed 1-3 day job assessment processes. Therefore the screening processes are already highly structured and in-depth.

I asked a selection of candidates in Management, Technical, Customer Service and hands-on-roles (think pilots, engineers, fire fighters):

1. How were you treated and communicated with?

2. How relevant was the process was to your role?

3. What did you dislike the most?

I selected the most consistent responses, as follows:

1. Communicate with us; candidates were not given timelines, were left hanging with no communication for weeks, were rebuffed if they ‘touched base and felt like a number.

2. Give us feedback; candidates felt feedback was either not provided at all or they were provided with general comments that were not helpful.

3. Be transparent; industry gossip is a killer, and in some industries this can result in mistruths and personal opinions that are detrimental to the organisation. Cutting through the gossip is difficult for some candidates.

4. Stop being the tough/aggressive person; candidates stated that this old-school mentality meant that they had second thoughts about wanting to work for the organisation.

5. Making the process mega stressful; candidates stated that they are simply not in the interview situation regularly. When employers add additional stresses they will not see them at their best. This (interviews) are not their job, so if you want to see them at their best and authentically, provide a process that facilitates that in real terms.

6. Recruiters not up to the task; some recruiters were seen as too junior or not specialists in their area/industry and conveying highly specialised experience was difficult.

Food for thought:

It may be a business decision to the employer but to every single candidate this feels personal. Keeping candidates informed throughout the process says we value you, the time you put into this process and into your preparation. This should be an inherent part of HR culture. Treating people with respect and with the positive culture/values of your organisation even if they are unsuccessful.

Some companies for legal reasons do not provide feedback, however the ‘debrief’ is one of the most important tools in professional growth. It is something the Defence Forces literally live by and one to build into your HR processes now.

Good cop bad cop or just bad cop is out-dated methodology. Yet, some employers still use these techniques. The next wave or generation of candidates are no less capable but they do expect to be treated with high personal standards of communication and respect.

Every candidate your organisation comes into contact with will have something to say about your business. With every interaction your HR team should be considering:

What feeling do we want every candidate to leave with?

Next Blog…

New hiring trends making recruitment more effective for everyone.

– What are your recruitment values?

Kirsty is a feature contributor to Australian Aviation Magazine and Aeortime.aero

Kirstys blog on communication and careers is widely ready by over 20,000 first connection members on LinkedIn, Facebook and www.pinstripesolutions.com

Kirstys first book “The Albino Chameleon – Building The Story of You” will be available in the second half of 2019. www.thealbinochameleon.com www.kirstyanneferguson.com

Kirsty has lectured at Sydney University and Griffith University on careers, communication, aviation and self-confidence.

You can listen to Kirsty on the iTunes favourite “Go All In” podcast and “Australian Aviation Radio”.

Gregor has walked a long and thorny path to be where he is now. But how did it all start? “My father wanted to become a pilot,” starts Gregor. “Although his mother didn’t let him join the aviation academy, the passion for aviation stayed with him forever.” For as long as Gregor can remember, there were posters of airplanes on the walls and VHF cassettes “rolling aviation films 24/7” at his family home. Being brought up in such an aviation-inspired environment, it was natural that Gregor wanted to fly since the very first days. The seed that his father once planted bloomed into a beautiful passion, and there was never another option for Gregor but to become a pilot.

But his success didn’t come overnight. “When I finished all flight trainings, the world was facing the deepest financial depression. No flying jobs were available. I sent out about 200 applications to all continents, including Antarctica, only to receive 2 replies saying that I was not selected for further consideration,” shared Gregor. He was taking any opportunity to stay in the sky to keep a “good flying hand”, and as years were passing by, Gregor started to lose hope. “I was coming to terms with the fact that my dream will stay a dream. At one point, I was considering leaving aviation behind and moving to Africa where I used to work in an orphanage,” says Avion Express Captain. When Gregor was about to give up, an opportunity came his way. “Out of the blue a chance to get an A320 type rating and 500 flight hours package in Istanbul came by, it was my last chance to grab my dream and make it a reality,” says Gregor. It was a turning point in his career.

In 2016, Gregor’s fellow flight crew member, who had been happily flying with Avion Express, suggested Gregor joined the airline too. “I was actively looking for a job in the middle of the high season in Europe. Initially, I was meant to stay with Avion Express until the end of the season, but when the news regarding the upcoming project in Cambodia came up, I was hooked. And I’m glad I stayed. A wide variety of different operations around the world that Avion Express offers is quite a unique chance when flying a mid-range A320,” says Gregor.

What seems to have started as a lucky coincidence, grew into a successful path that keeps unfolding. Gregor joined Avion Express with 1150 flight hours on Airbus A320 under his belt, but his motivation and hard work couldn’t go unnoticed. Gregor showed his seniority and loyalty to the company and received great feedback from the instructors. So in February 2019, when Gregor reached 3000 flight hours, he was upgraded from a First Officer to a Captain. “My career change at Avion Express brings a whole new set of challenges, but I’m happy to face them and continue growing as a professional. The company is growing and becoming a better version of itself every day. The rostering system has improved, a paperless cockpit was introduced, and of course the growing fleet and new projects! I am happy to be a part of it.”

Gregor is a great example of how far determination can lead you. Ambition, hard work, a pinch of luck, and good timing is a key formula of success. What does Gregor think about his journey? “It’s all about the fire in your heart. I always knew what I wanted. I had a target to reach and I always stayed focused on it,” he adds. Gregor’s put a lot of effort and tenacity into his goal, and what he got is very rewarding. Together with the dream job that Gregor set his mind on in his early years, he joined a team of inspiring people who are just as passionate about their job as he is. “The team members come from a long list of different countries, with stories of different backgrounds which keeps things even more interesting,” adds Gregor.

Now that he has taken the Captain’s seat, where does Gregor see himself in the future? “So far, my passion has brought me to places where I couldn’t imagine myself 5 years ago, so I don’t dare speculating too much about what the future holds. I am here and now, and it’s great.”

Some say that a Flight Attendant is just a glorified waitress.

Others look at the crew and think that it is like a regular job that does not stress you out or wears you out. And why would there be stress or fatigue? You get to travel all around the world, sit in the airplane, sell some drinks and then say a warm goodbye for the passengers leaving the aircraft. You ask yourself, what is so difficult about it?

Well, we think otherwise. We think that working as a flight attendant is hard. It’s almost comparable to working as a pilot and their job is not very easy!

But if you ask us why working as a flight attendant is hard, here are the top 5 reasons why:

5. Low wages

Now, this might be a bit controversial, but compared to pilots, Flight attendants do not earn much.

Sure, the salary is definitely liveable on and they do earn much more than a usual person.

But at the same time, flight attendants have so much responsibility on their heads that their salary does not properly reward them. We‘ll talk about their responsibilities much later, but being a flight attendant is certainly not an easy task to do. To illustrate, imagine a stress-to-reward ratio, and that ratio is swinging a lot to the side of stress.

However, while the wages might not properly reward them for the work, a career as a flight attendant means that you get to travel all around the world and see certain cities at least for a brief moment. So there are other, non-monetary benefits to the job.

From the airline business point-of-view, raising the wages of their cabin crew might put them at risk of bankruptcy, which is even worse as everyone, including Flight attendants, would lose their jobs.

4. Instability

The aviation industry is a wild ride of ups and downs. The most recent example of that is WOW Air – an airline that declared that they are ceasing all operations. The announced surprised everyone in the industry, probably including the people that worked there. But to illustrate, just in 2016 the airline reaped in massive profits and it was flourishing. WOW Air was expanding it‘s route network and buying, leasing new aircraft.

However, just one year later, the airline was in deep trouble. The first signs of bankruptcy showed up and they needed money fast, which they did not receive. The story repeats itself throughout the history of aviation, so this is nothing new.

But it showcases that one trigger might set off a chain of events that can fade an airline into history. Which in turn means that people‘s jobs are also going down in history.

Another aspect of a flight attendant career is that the job itself is unstable. You obviously travel a lot, so a family, further education in a university or settling down somewhere is nearly impossible as you never know where will you end up at the end of the day.

Of course, you know your schedule ahead of time, but that time frame is not enough and you sometimes might miss important dates in your lives – friends‘ birthdays, family holidays or any other occasion.

3. Training

The flight training process for Flight attendants can be quite rough.

Firstly, it is strict and long, as flight attendants have to know their aircraft thoroughly. Same as pilots, who get a type rating to be able to fly an aircraft, so does the cabin crew have to get their type rating on which aircraft they can work on.

The training takes place in various environments. You learn the basic stuff like opening the door of the aircraft or taking the passengers through safety instructions. It also includes preparing for such situations as giving first aid or helping out passengers with any kind of health emergency.

But even the most rigorous training could not prepare you for some situations, such as delivering babies, as it happened on a Turkish Airlines flight in 2017.

In addition, a Flight attendant needs to showcase his skills in customer service, such as serving their superiors who pretend to be passengers. The potential cabin crew members also need to display their skills in make-up and keeping a clean uniform.

Furthermore, even if you make it through the interview process and begin training, you still need to display your best abilities. If worst comes to worst, you might not get hired if you fail the training process.

2. Humans

The main engine that drives the aviation industry is humans. At the basic level, if there are no passengers, aviation would not have been where it is now. If there are no pilots, planes would not fly, if there are no engineers, the planes would run for a few years only. The list goes on.

But a flight attendant has to deal with human beings and their needs constantly. Now, to put it lightly, humans can be mean.

There multiple instances where flight attendants have had a scary experience when dealing with passengers. For example, a passenger was holding a flight attendant hostage or a supervisor slapping a cabin crew member. Yep, even your own colleagues can be difficult to deal with.

So that is why not only the constantly buzzing engines and movements in the air can get tiring. Passengers can also contribute to the fatigue that flight attendants experience when they work.

1. Responsibilities

But when it comes down to it, the biggest reason why working as a flight attendant is very difficult is that you are responsible for the lives of everyone on board. It is not just serving drinks, snacks and other shopping items.

First and foremost, you need to make sure that in an emergency situation, the headless chickens that are the passengers do not get lost and everyone stays safe. You are responsible for peace on board, you prevent any harassment from happening or anyone losing their mind, figuratively. Passengers to a flight attendant are just like children that they need to take care of, as they can get quite nervous.

And then secondly a flight attendant serves meals or fills a cup of water.

So, the next time you get on a flight just remember that the people that work on the aircraft are the people that you trust your life with. Respect and take care of them.

As a final point, if you are thinking about becoming a flight attendant, do not get scared. While some parts of the job can be difficult, but on the other hand, there are so many benefits to it. The pros definitely outweigh the cons!

Looking for a job as a flight attendant? Check out our job offers right here!

There are times in our lives where we choose the next step we will make. Your professional career is also like that – early on in our lives, we try to set it up for the best possible outcome in the future. A Pilot career is no exception. Choosing the right flight school, line training program and the correct location to kick-start your career is crucial to succeeding in the future.

Everybody knows that to become a pilot you need to have a quite hefty sum of money in your pocket. Flight schools, hour building programs are an expensive commodity. So making back the money is an important aspect when choosing the right Pilot career path.

On the other hand, commercial aviation is thriving – the best airlines in the world are posting record profit and passenger numbers. But as airline numbers rise, so does the demand for new pilots. In the past, the biggest airlines in the world like Emirates or American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) were forced to cancel flights because of pilot shortages.

American Airlines Canceled Flights because of pilot shortages in 2017

And it seems like airlines, no matter low-cost or legacy, they seem to agree on one thing. There is a massive shortage of professionals in the cockpit.

But some regions are more thriving than others, thus airlines offer pilots the best conditions possible.

So, a question stands.

When choosing the next move in your pilot career, which place in the world is the easiest and the best to find work as a pilot?

1. The Middle East

The region is becoming a synonym for luxurious air travel. Airlines, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are competing against each other to provide the best service possible.

Additionally, the Middle East is becoming a dominant force in the business world. More and more passengers travel to and from the region for various reasons.

Emirates is becoming one of the most attractive places to pursue a pilot career in

So, the demand for air travel is here. But carriers in the Middle East are adding more and more aircraft to their fleet. These new aircraft require crews to operate them.

And in order to supply the demand for pilots, Middle Eastern airlines are offering pilots wonderful career opportunities and working conditions. Attractive salary packages, excellent roster and travel options are almost guaranteed if you work in an airline located in the Middle East.

You can find Pilot career options in such airlines as Qatar Airways, Emirates or any other airline right here!

2. East Asia

If the Middle East is booming with air travel, then East Asia is exploding (not literally). Countries in East Asia, namely China, Japan and South Korea are striving. Their airlines are also regarded as one of the best in the world, with China’s Hainan Airlines and Japan’s All Nippon Airways making the best airlines in the world lists yearly.

If the Middle East lifestyle is not your cup of tea, you definitely cannot go wrong with a Pilot career in East Asia. Airlines here are also struggling to fill their cockpits, thus they offer excellent terms in their contracts with pilots.

Additionally, a lot of airlines in the region still fly the Boeing 747, meaning you might still grab an opportunity to work in the cockpit of the Queen Of The Skies!

Korean Air Boeing 747

Interested in working in East Asia? You can find all the Pilot job offers in countries like China, Japan and South Korea here!

3. South East Asia

The region to the south of East Asia, I guess there that is the reason why it‘s called South East Asia.

Anyways, terrible jokes aside, the region is home to various countries, cultures and airlines. Most notably, Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) . If Middle East airlines are synonymous with luxury, then Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) literally define luxurious air travel. Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) alone makes the whole region more interesting to work in as a pilot. They have the longest non-stop scheduled flight between Singapore and Newark, their main hub, Singapore Changi airport is regarded as one of the best, if not the best airports in the world and take good care of their employees too.

But enough about Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) , as South East Asian airports welcome other, world-class carriers. Namely, such airlines as Vietnam Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, EVA Air and one of the worlds Airbus A380 operators Thai Airways.

Thai Airways Airbus A380

South East Asia’s low-cost carriers such as Scoot, the airline famous for its fantastic liveries Nok Air and Jetstar Asia are also known for their top-notch service.

But to be the best as an airline, you not only need to provide excellent customer service but equally take care of your employees. And the carriers in the South East Asia region are known around the world to provide the best conditions for your Pilot career.

Does working in the region spark interest to you? Check our job offers for South East Asian countries!

4. India

Sure, this might shock some, but there is a good reason why India is on this list.

Let me explain why. India as a country is huge. Not only in the total area, but in population as well. In other words, the potential market and potential profits that lie there are astronomical. There are three reasons why the aviation industry in India will realize its potential.

Firstly, the current growth rates are insane. According to IATA, since the early 2010s, the Indian aviation market has doubled its passenger numbers from 78 million to 158 million. Destination count from Indian airports has tripled – in 2018, you could board a plane and get to 300 airports around the world. Just 10 years ago, the same number was three times lower – 100.

Secondly, the Indian economy is growing. Growth means that consumers have more disposable income which they can spend on flights. This further attributes to the fact that the Indian aviation industry is set to grow. Additionally, international businesses are already investing heavily in the country. Meaning that not only Indians will travel more – international business travelers will travel more to India.

And thirdly, the Indian government is heavily helping in developing the aviation industry. They have launched the UDAN-RDCS project. The main purpose of this project is to further develop regional airports. In addition, the Indian government wants to help airlines create more regional routes within the country.

Indian Airlines’ aircraft

Anyways, while India might not be on par with, for example, the Middle East just yet, but the saying early bird gets the worm perfectly illustrates the situation at hand right here. If you get in before everybody else, you will reap the benefits later on.

Find a job in India as a pilot right here!

5. Europe

We might be a little biased, but Europe is one of the most wonderful regions to work in as a pilot.

Not only the whole continent is absolutely stunning with various sights and attractions to see from above, but one of the best benefits of working here is that you can kick-start your pilot career easily.

Especially with so many low-cost carriers present, as they seem to be thriving at the moment. There are multiple reasons to work for a low-cost carrier like Ryanair, but essentially, if you are a pilot with not a lot of experience, low-cost carriers are a perfect place to gain more experience and stack up the flying hours.

And when you have gained enough flying hours to advance your career further, the biggest airlines, like Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) , British Airways, KLM and many more are just next door.

Wish to work as a Pilot in Europe? Check out the job offers here!

Multiple European Airlines’ Aircraft

To sum up, there are many different reasons why one continent, region or a country might be a good place to work as a pilot. But at the moment, following the recent trends and tendencies, salaries and other benefits offered to pilots, these are the best pilot career options that we have picked.