Virgin Atlantic has re-launched its Future Flyers Programme, which is designed to give those with little or no flying experience the opportunity to become A330 pilots with the airline.
There are 12 places available on the highly-competitive programme, which leads directly to a job as an airline pilot with Virgin Atlantic, flying A330 aircraft on their long-haul routes around the globe.
In past years the programme has experienced record-breaking application numbers; the 2016 application window saw up to 8,000 applicants apply at its initial stage. The programme has a mission to diversify and aims to widen access to training through a funding solution which sees Virgin Atlantic underwrites loans for successful outstanding applicants who require financial support, and provides full-time employment to all those who successfully complete the training programme.
The Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training will be carried out exclusively by airline training organisation, CTC Aviation, and applications are now open ctcaviation.com/virginatlantic for a limited time only.
Those who have so far secured places on the highly-competitive programme come from an eclectic mix of backgrounds, with previous jobs including bar tender, bicycle mechanic and computer programmer; policeman and credit controller. Moreover, the number of women who have secured a place on the programme is significant by industry standards: 22% of those currently in training are female, compared to the average of around five per cent across the global pilot workforce.
This year the programme is supported by a new partnership with Secure Trust Bank – a retail and commercial bank based in the United Kingdom – and specialist aviation finance broker ATPL Finance, who will act as the intermediary between trainees looking to acquire funding and Secure Trust Bank. Applicants to the Future Flyers Programme will have the opportunity to access to a loan of £109,000 which will be underwritten by Secure Trust Bank and guaranteed by Virgin Atlantic, covering the total funding required for the programme.
“Our Future Flyers Programme continues to receive record applications and really underpins the importance of opening up access to everyone who has ever dreamed of becoming a pilot.”
Dave Kistruck, Vice President of Flight Operations for Virgin Atlantic, said, “Our Future Flyers Programme continues to receive record applications and really underpins the importance of opening up access to everyone who has ever dreamed of becoming a pilot. I’m excited we’re continuing to work with our partners at CTC Aviation to make a flying career truly accessible for everyone – whatever their background.”
Successful candidates will go through 18 months of training, progressing from trainee through to first officer at CTC Aviation’s new generation Crew Training Centres in both the UK and New Zealand. The programme also offers the opportunity to complete a BSc Honours Degree in Professional Aviation Pilot Practice – in partnership with Middlesex University – alongside training.
You can visit the Virgin Atlantic and CTC Aviation teams – including current Future Flyers – on stand at the Pilot Careers Live show on Saturday 5th November, Heathrow. Tickets still available at pilotcareernews.com/live/london/
