Modeled After Programs Used By Some European And Asian Carriers

JetBlue has crafted a program in which people with an eye on an airline career but no flight experience would have a pathway to the cockpit in hopes of attracting a broader group of potential pilots.

Under the program, which according to Bloomberg News is modeled after training initiatives used by some European and Asian carriers, JetBlue would provide its own training from ab initio instruction through ATP certificate. The program has not yet been approved by the FAA.

According to the report, candidates would still have to acquire 1,500 hour of flight experience as is required by the FAA before becoming a commercial airline pilot. The program would expose candidates to being a crewmember on a large airliner earlier that they would in more traditional programs.

The airline hopes it can start instruction with the initial candidates in its "Gateway 7" initiative on a trial basis early next year. It would at first include only a small number of its pilot recruits. Airline spokesman Doug McGraw told Bloomberg News that it would help the airline discover early on whether a candidate could be a successful pilot for JetBlue.

The program would include more simulator time for candidates to expose them to such scenarios as bad weather and mechanical failures. They would be required to complete academic classes, and then intern with a partner company to build the required 1,500 hours before returning to JetBlue. They would also be eligible to apply with other carriers.

ALPA chairman Capt. Jim Bigham told Bloomberg news that the union opposes the program, saying that there are currently thousands of pilots available who are better qualified than any pilot who might complete the ab initio program.

The program is similar to a "multicrew pilot license" introduced several years ago by the ICAO. That program starts pilots in multiperson cockpit simulators rather than building hours in smaller aircraft.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.futurebluepilots.com