CTC launches new Indian pilot training programme
Pilot training and resourcing company CTC Aviation Group (CTC) has launched a new airline pilot training programme exclusively for Indian students.
The company, which has training centres in the UK and New Zealand, is in discussions with a number of Indian airlines to tailor the course to their specific needs, with at least one airline agreeing to consider pilots from the course once they have completed, says CTC chief executive officer Rob Clarke.
Marketing and selection of the initial intake of 10 Indian nationals will be completed by the end of the first quarter, with students to train in the UK and New Zealand. CTC is also developing a pilot retraining programme for the unemployed pool of pilots in India.
“We are a global business by nature and India, as one of the fastest growing aviation marketplaces, is a truly exciting, vibrant and important place to be as a business. We see huge potential for the whole marketplace, but in particular the low-cost carriers who want to focus their business model on their core revenue generating activity of flying passengers around their network,” says Clarke.
CTC recently completed a management buyout with UK private equity company Inflexion which has allowed it to expedite plans to further develop its global reach.
Meanwhile, CTC Aviation Training (NZ) has received approval from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) to conduct integrated training for the issue of Hong Kong CAD commercial pilot licences. CTC becomes the only airline pilot training organisation in New Zealand and only the second outside of Hong Kong to be granted such approval, says the company.
CTC says the company worked closely with Hong Kong carrier Dragonair to achieve the approval. CTC is delivering the Dragonair Cadet Pilot Programme, which is a fully integrated training programme that includes cadet selection, training and placement as airline pilots with Dragonair. The first 12 cadets have started training in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Globally on an annual basis, CTC trains 216 new pilots for its European partner airlines and a further 70-100 for Asia-Pacific partners. Through its type rating training organisation (TRTO) operation it trains in the region of 2,000 pilots for approximately 50 client airlines worldwide.
It is currently building its multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) activities, delivering one programme with a European client and “on the verge of commencing” a significant number of MPL pilots with one of its Middle Eastern customers. CTC says it is also in discussion with a further two UK based airlines on MPL.
It is also in discussions with “a number of organisations” that could lead to expansion in a “variety of areas” in the future. – Emma Kelly
