CTC Aviation to provide exclusive pilot recruitment for Flybe
Under the new agreement, CTC Aviation will manage all pilot applications to the airline, as well as the selection and assessment of shortlisted applicants.
Flybe is currently experiencing a period of significant growth with 20 incremental aircraft on order and new airfields coming on stream as it drives double digit growth. Speaking at CTC Aviation’s Graduation Ceremony December 2015, Flybe’s CEO Saad Hammad said: “In 2015 Flybe will have recruited around 150 new pilots and promoted 50 First Officers to command position - that is one captain promotion a week. We currently connect Britain - our ambition is to connect Europe. After a difficult restructuring two years ago, we are now a much more resilient, fitter airline with a strong balance sheet and we have returned to growth. This year we will grow circa ten percent. We are looking to grow at almost double that rate next year. We are in the market for pilots.”
At least 120 new Commanders and First Officers as well as around 150 newly-qualified pilots are required during 2016 to support Flybe’s growth plans and operate the world’s largest fleet of state-of-the-art Q400 aircraft.
Hammad adds that there is a strong career trajectory for those now joining the airline: “Our pilots have the opportunity to move from turbo-props to jets, and those joining as newly-qualified First Officers could progress to command within three and a half to four years. There are also opportunities to become trainers or to join our management team.”
New type rating direct entry pilots and commanders will undertake a Training Fees Agreement to cover the cost of the Dash 8 Q400 Type Rating. The bond is £18,000 over a five year period, repayable in full if a pilot leaves employment with Flybe within the first year but then decreasing at a rate of 1/48th per month for the following four years.
Based out of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Exeter, Southampton, Cardiff, Doncaster-Sheffield or Manchester, all pilots will join a dedicated crew, flying on the airline’s high-frequency services across 206 routes between 74 UK and European airports. These recruitment services will be delivered by CTC Aviation in addition to existing selection and training services provided to the airline, making CTC Aviation Flybe’s preferred supplier of pilots.
Colin Rydon, Director Flight Operations for Flybe commented: “As we grow, it is imperative we concentrate on continuing to be the regional airline on the customer’s doorstep, providing the necessary and punctual services that our customers expect of us. We specialise in that – and CTC Aviation specialises in delivering the highest quality pilots. We have chosen them because of that expertise. We will remain closely involved in the recruitment process, but entrust the management of it to a team that we believe is best placed to deliver and support our expansion.”
Flybe is looking for pilots who will live and breathe ‘the Purple Way’, bringing the company values to life as part of a people-focused culture. Applications are now open for Flybe direct entry First Officers and direct entry Captains. To discover more and apply today visit ctcaviation.com/airlinejobs
Flybe also recruits graduates of CTC Aviation’s flagship CTC WINGS ‘whitetail’ airline pilot career programme, as well as those who complete their training through CTC TAKEOFF Integrated and modular professional pilot training courses, and the CTC FLEXICREW ATP programme. In addition to the regular ‘whitetail’ intake, last month five CTC TAKEOFF and CTC FLEXICREW ATP graduates were placed with Flybe and will be ready for operational flying as early as May 2016.
Hammad says: “The Q400 is a great aircraft to hone your flying skills. We help you become real aviators testing and developing your skills across a wide variety of airfields and flying conditions. You will have ample opportunities to develop your flying skills and be kept engaged at Flybe.”
For aspiring pilots with very little or no flying experience, the CTC WINGS Integrated ATPL ‘Whitetail’ airline pilot career programme is open for applications all year round.