CTC Aviation becomes BA's exclusive A320 conversion training partner
Initial plans will see up to 200 pilots commencing A320 type conversion training with CTC Aviation.
This is the first time that British Airways has partnered with an independent external training provider to deliver type conversion training for existing, employed pilots. However, Britain’s most iconic of airlines has been entrusting CTC Aviation to deliver airline pilot training since 1996 when the first BA Jet Orientation Courses (JOC) were launched.
Since 2011, CTC Aviation (through ‘Airline Placement Limited’ – a wholly owned subsidiary of the CTC Aviation group) – has managed the entire British Airways Future Pilot Programme (FPP) on behalf of the airline; managing the intake of all new entrant pilots through the programme and into employment.
Today, hundreds of CTC Aviation graduate pilots are flying with British Airways; some are now working in flight operations, training and management roles.
As well as being one of the preferred training providers for the basic and intermediate elements of the FPP, CTC Aviation also delivers the advanced, aircraft specific initial type rating training for all FPP graduates ahead of their move into airline operations.
Lindsay Craig, Manager - Pilot Recruitment for British Airways, said: “CTC Aviation has been providing a variety of training for our experienced and newly qualified pilots for nearly two decades. They have consistently met our high standards of pilot training that we demand for our customers.
“We are committed to investing in the very best training available to ensure the highest levels of safety and technical and customer service skills for all our pilots.”
Mike Redrupp, Chief Operating Officer - Airline Training for CTC Aviation commented: “We are delighted to have been selected as British Airways’ exclusive type conversion training partner. This unique contract has been tailored to ensure that British Airways can maximise their own valuable resources; making more effective use of their own training team and simulator fleet and – thereby - reducing the amount of time pilots have to spend off-line for conversion training”.
CTC Aviation recently added a further Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator at its Crew Training Centre and Group headquarters in Southampton, UK. The new Level - D simulator combines the highest levels of simulator fidelity including windshear warning, TCAS, EGPWS and CAT III landing capability, with an intuitive instructor interface to deliver a first class training experience to the pilot.
The company has also announced the opening of a new facility at London Gatwick. Chosen strategically for its convenient location close to the airport, CTC Aviation’s newest airline training facility is home to a new Airbus A320 Level D Full Flight Simulator provided by L-3 Link Simulation and Training. This will be followed quickly by another L-3 Link simulator - a Boeing 737-800W scheduled for certification in June 2015.
