IndiGo Selects CTC for Command Skills Development Programme

Media Release
24 May 2012

IndiGo Selects CTC for Command Skills Development Programme

Hamilton, New Zealand -

IndiGo, India’s largest and fastest growing low cost carrier, has entrusted the training of its future Captains to world leading training organisation, CTC Aviation Group Limited (CTC).

IndiGo currently operates 56 of a total of 280 firm orders for Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered by the end of 2025. In line with this dynamic expansion, the company will be upgrading carefully selected First Officers to command positions.

In order to furnish the successful candidates with the appropriate training required to take on the significant responsibilities that come with command, the airline has selected CTC to deliver an intensive command skills development programme to some of their future Captains. The training will take place at CTC’s Crew Training Centre in Nursling in the UK.

CTC has a reputation as a centre of excellence in the airline training community. The company provides a full portfolio of simulator and ground school training programmes for the world’s airlines and has a reputation for delivering high quality, cost effective training solutions.

CTC’s command skills development programme has been approved by the Indian DGCA for use by IndiGo. Consisting of a 4-day ground school programme followed by 12 simulator details prior to returning to the line for a continuous development programme, the course has been fully tailored to incorporate IndiGo’s SOPs, documentation and company culture.

“We have chosen to invest in our future Captains to ensure they feel properly equipped for the additional responsibilities that come with command” said Captain Saleem Zaheer, Vice President of Flight Operations for IndiGo. “We take safety extremely seriously and believe it is vital that a company growing as rapidly as we are retains a focus on ensuring training standards are maintained to an exceptional level. We did our homework and decided that CTC was the right company for us. We wanted to take our pilots out of their normal working environment and immerse them in a training development programme that fully identifies with their needs. Our pilots will return to the line with us as Captains; confident that they have received the highest quality, bespoke training.”

The ground school element of the course comprises of 3 days command specific CRM and Human Factors training encompassing IndiGo’s company culture and procedures. The fourth day is a ‘dry swim’ or ‘desktop loft’ day. The pilots will run through a variety of real life scenarios utilising IndiGo documentation and employing IndiGo SOPs. The simulator details will be carried out at CTC’s simulator centre in Southampton (UK) and, as with all CTC courses, CTC’s instructors will embrace IndiGo’s procedures and become a seamless extension of their training department.

Mike Redrupp, Operations Director and Head of Training for CTC Aviation Services Limited, the company’s TRTO division, said, “We believe CTC sets the standard for command skills training around the world. It is an aspect of aircrew training that is under provided for and not enough airlines invest effectively in their future commanders. IndiGo has been very forward thinking in its decision to ensure their Captains are properly equipped for their role.

“The figures that are being quoted in our industry regarding future pilot requirement suggest that around 450,000 new pilots will be employed over the next 18-20 years. We must not forget that with such growth comes a need for more rapid promotion to command. Whilst some people undoubtedly have natural leadership potential, it is essential that they are taught the correct application skills. It is not a simple step from the right hand seat to the left and as a rapidly growing industry we must ensure that we fully equip our aircrew for their jobs.”

The first IndiGo pilots started their command training at CTC during February and courses will continue into the future on a regular basis.

CTC has Crew Training Centres in the United Kingdom and New Zealand and trains in the region of 2,000 pilots annually for approximately 50 client airlines worldwide. The company recently established a satellite training centre at CTC’s Boeing and Airbus simulator centre in the United Kingdom for Thomson Airways. CTC delivers ab initio cadet training for a number of airlines around the world including Qatar Airways, The Jetstar Group of airlines, Royal Brunei, easyJet and British Airways and announced an MPL partnership with Monarch Airlines in December 2011.

For more information, visit www.ctcaviation.com

-ENDS-

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