CTC recruits flight instructors and prepares for growth

Media Release
17 May 2011

CTC recruits flight instructors and prepares for growth

Hamilton, New Zealand - CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Limited is growing its flight instructor team by 36%. It will increase the number of instructors based at its Crew Training Centre-Hamilton from 33 to 52 by August 2011.

CTC Aviation Training CEO, Ian Calvert, says the airline pilot training academy is building up its resources in preparation for an influx of trainees later this year.

“CTC is currently in negotiations with major airlines in Asia, the Middle East and Europe who are all signalling a huge demand for pilots in both the short- and long-term. We currently train around 180 airline pilots in Hamilton each year. However, we estimate one year from now that number will rise to between 250 and 300.

“We need to prepare now by building our instructor team. That way we can continue to have the capacity to meet our airline partners’ demands,” explains Mr Calvert.

Approximately 10 of the new instructors are currently being recruited from within New Zealand and four will be licensed Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) instructors recruited from the UK.

Mr Calvert said three key factors were putting pressure on airlines worldwide and resulting in increased demand for CTC graduates: large aircraft orders, increasing passenger numbers in Asia and the aging pilot population.

“Airlines in the Pacific, Chinese and Middle Eastern regions are placing huge orders for aircraft, all of which need crews to fly them.

As one example, our senior team attended the Asia Pacific Aviation Training Symposium in Hong Kong in March. It was announced there that the region will require at least 50,000 additional pilots over the coming years to meet the requirements of current aircraft orders.

“A further factor affecting pilot demand is the growth in passenger numbers across India, China and Vietnam.

“And finally, over the next two to seven years the industry is signalling that we will see a dramatic increase in the number of airline pilots retiring due to age, thus creating a retirement bulge,” says Mr Calvert.

Mr Calvert said New Zealand was in a unique space to benefit from the demand for airline pilots.

“Having a New Zealand base is a major advantage for CTC. Geographically speaking, we are well positioned to support the growing Asian market and our climate is well suited to help prepare our international trainees for their future flying environment.

“New Zealand is a safe country for trainees to live and work and many see the opportunity to spend some time here while completing their flight training as an added bonus. Plus, CTC’s unwavering commitment to producing the highest quality airline pilots is highly respected by the major airlines with whom we work closely.

“CTC is one of the world’s leading airline pilot training providers and we’re ready to leverage our leadership to capitalise on this emerging growth opportunity,” he says.

CTC trains between 1200 -1900 aircrew for more than 50 global airlines each year. In addition to its crew training centre in Hamilton, New Zealand, it has further centres in Bournemouth, Nursling and Dibden in the UK.

-ENDS-

About CTC Aviation Group plc

CTC is a global leader in aviation training and management solutions. As an Approved Training Organisation (TRTO and FTO) we train between 1200 and 1900 aircrew for more than 50 global airlines each year. Our UK and NZ based Crew Training Centres house state-of-the-art Airbus and Boeing simulators, hi-tech Computer Based Training facilities and a fleet of the latest, modern technology training aircraft; all supported by one of the most experienced teams of Training Captains and Instructors worldwide.

Our portfolio spans the full spectrum of airline training and resourcing requirements; pilots and cabin crew; basic licence and ATPL training, type rating training, command and non-technical skills through to TRE Standardisation; ground school, simulator provision and line training; management and consultancy support; start ups, conversions and recurrent.

Airline clients include Air New Zealand, Air Malawi, Air Seychelles, British Airways, Eagle Airways, easyJet, easyJet Suisse, flydubai, Jet2.com, Jetstar and Jetstar Pacific, Monarch Airlines, NetJets, Oman Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, spiceJet, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomson Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

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

“CTC TAKEOFF” is a comprehensive range of accessible and affordable JAA / EASA modular courses ranging from ME CPL/IR through to MCC and type rating.

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

CTC Aviation Jet Services Limited, the company’s private jet management division offers a personalised service for private jet owners around the world seeking a bespoke and total solution to managing and operating their fleet.

CTC holds UK CAA JAA/EASA TRTO and FTO/ATO Approval and is also recognised by various regulators worldwide.

www.ctcaviation.com or www.ctcwings.com

ENDS

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