Summary

  • Air New Zealand’s cadet pilot program is a game-changer for aspiring pilots looking to fast-track their career with the airline.
  • The program aims to address any potential pilot shortage by providing a unique pathway to becoming a commercial airline pilot.
  • This proactive initiative not only offers financial support for training but also focuses on creating future leaders for Air New Zealand.

Timing is everything in aviation, and right now is a great time to be an aspiring airline pilot in New Zealand. As all pilots know, there are two big barriers to entry into the profession: the prohibitive cost and finding an opportunity to transition from a commercial pilot’s license to a type-rated pilot with a seat in a commercial airliner.

A proactive pilot program

This week, Air New Zealand launched a new cadet pilot program that smashes through those barriers. The program would see 30 cadets start training in September and become ATR 72-600 pilots with the airline in around 14 months, with the majority of the costs, including training and living expenses, funded by the airline.

Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship

Photo: Air New Zealand

This is a great and potentially life-changing opportunity that is designed to inspire more people to pursue a professional pilot career with one of the world’s leading airlines while also building a pipeline of pilots for Air New Zealand. The Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship is an all-inclusive training program that accelerates the journey from novice to commercial pilot from the typical 24-36 months to around 14 months.

Air New Zealand Pilot Asset_8

Photo: Air New Zealand

The first group of 30 cadets will initially train overseas while Air New Zealand works to find a long-term domestic training provider, a process that also started this week with the airline calling for Expressions of Interest from training providers. The cadets will begin training in Arizona, learning to fly single and multi-engine planes, and then travel to Dubai to complete flight simulator sessions to gain a type rating on the ATR 72-600 turboprops operated by Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand ATR 72

Photo: ATR

Once completed, the newly qualified cadets will have a pathway to employment as Air New Zealand pilots. The program not only opens the door for individuals from all backgrounds to consider a career as a pilot but also provides an expedited training pathway.

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A new pathway to airline pilot

Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan said looking at both short and longer-term solutions to training pilots is crucial to ensuring the airline can meet future travel demand. That is why it is taking the proactive step of funding most of the training for the 30 cadets.

“We also know that airlines around the world are already having to ground aircraft and cancel flights due to a lack of pilots. While these shortages have yet to impact Air New Zealand, we could see this change quickly if we aren’t proactive now.”

The cadetship is designed to supplement the existing pilot recruitment program, and Air New Zealand will continue to recruit pilots who come to it through traditional pathways. Morgan said that while that has worked well, adaption is now needed to ensure New Zealand has the pilots it needs for a successful airline industry in the future.

Air New Zealand ATR 2

Photo: Air New Zealand

In calling for expressions of interest, the airline wants to find a training provider that can deliver “a fully immersive experience” for cadets that will fast-track their pilot training. In essence, the carrier wants a program to deliver cadets with the technical skills and knowledge needed to fly its turboprop aircraft and become the airline’s future leaders. Morgan added:

“The future success of the program will rely on the pilot training sector working together in a way that hasn’t been done before to build and deliver a cadetship that means more pilots can be trained faster and ensure that we can meet the travel and export demands of Kiwis in the future.”

Applications for the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship, which is only open to New Zealand citizens, are open until July 8, 2024, and all the details, including eligibility requirements, assessment and selection process, and cadetship outline, can be found on the Air New Zealand website.

What do you think of this program? Let us know in the comments.

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