First Kiwis Graduate at CTC

Air New Zealand’s subsidiary Eagle Air says a new relationship with the airline pilot training organisation CTC Aviation is great news for young pilots looking to fast-track into an airline career.

Eagle Air recently employed the first two New Zealanders to graduate from CTC’s Commercial Pilot Programme in Hamilton and formally marked their graduation with a function at CTC’s Crew Training Centre at Hamilton International Airport on the 17th of November.

Eagle Air’s General Manager Grant Kerr says he has been impressed with the CTC graduates’ levels of knowledge, skill and professionalism.

“They’ve gone through line training with Eagle and they passed with flying colours. The airline-specific training they receive from the moment they join the CTC Wings programme means, upon graduation, they possess the exact skills we require to be a first officer with Eagle Air,” he says.

The first New Zealanders to graduate from the CTC Wings Commercial Pilot Programme were Joseph Lambert and Daniel Stark.  They are now employed by Eagle Air as first officers based out of Gisborne.

Mr Kerr said the CTC Wings programme benefitted both the airline and young pilots looking to get a start specifically in the airline business.

CTC works with a growing list of global airline partners, which includes British Airways, CityJet, DHL Air, easyJet, easyJet Switzerland, Jet2.com, Jetstar Pacific, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomsonfly.

John Jones, the CEO of CTC Aviation New Zealand, said, “To date, one hundred percent of our graduates have obtained employment with one of CTC’s partner airlines in Europe. And, globally, one of the benefits of training with CTC is that cadets know we are focused on helping them gain employment.

“Our relationship with Eagle Air allows us to demonstrate this key point to New Zealand cadets as well. We can never guarantee employment, but there is more certainty for them.”

Mr Jones said there had been a high number of applications from New Zealanders ever since the company opened its CTC Wings programme to Kiwis in 2006 and applicants recognised that CTC Aviation was different from other aviation training in that it focused solely on airline pilot training.

“CTC Aviation sets itself apart because we only train pilots for placement with airlines. Because we have this sole airline focus, we can customise recruitment solutions for our airline partners around the globe. And, our rigorous selection process ensures our partners get the very best airline pilots out there,” he said.

“For someone with no flying experience, it takes around 18 months to complete our Commercial Pilot Programme.”

CTC trains around 200 airline pilots at its Hamilton Crew Training Centre each year.  Its range of training programmes cater for people with no flying experience as well as those with current commercial pilot licences. There is also funding available to assist successful candidates with training costs.