Ever dream of flying a plane? Irish airline re-opens pilot training programme

An Irish airline has re-opened its pilot recruitment drive for the first time in four years. 

Aer Lingus announced the news of their Future Pilot Programme - offering 90 aspiring pilots the unique opportunity to realise their ambitions - at the weekend (Sunday July 30). 

The company is running the intensive pilot training programme for the first time since 2019, and aims to recruit 18 candidates in this year's round. 

The pilot drive, which is fully sponsored by the airline, will span five years. 

Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Lynne Embleton said, "[The programme] opens a world of opportunity for the next generation of pilots who will join our airline. Aer Lingus’ transatlantic expansion and Dublin Hub growth strategy, means there are opportunities for new Aer Lingus trained pilots to join our team of Captains and First Officers who currently fly to over 80 European destinations, and to 14 North American destinations on our longhaul network. 

"Our continued focus on using Ireland’s unique geographic position to connect Europe to North America and vice versa presents immensely exciting careers for those who are passionate about being a pilot. We have a rich history at Aer Lingus of training pilots and our new Future Pilot Programme continues in that wonderful tradition, for which we are well known and respected. 

"We encourage everyone interested to consider our fully funded future pilot programme and we particularly encourage females to apply as we continue our efforts to close the gender gap in aviation." 

Candidates must be over 18 and have a Leaving Certificate with at least two Higher Level subjects and Ordinary Level (Pass) Maths. 

Beginning in January 2024, successful candidates will undergo a 14-month pilot training course combining theory and practical studies, in collaboration with the Spanish flight training school, FTE Jerez. 

Students will then return to Aer Lingus’ Training Academy in Dublin to complete their training; they will be mentored and supported throughout by the Aer Lingus Liaison Pilot. 

On qualifying, they will receive a Multi-crew Pilot’s Commercial Licence, leading them to become a First Officer and ultimately a Captain for short and longhaul routes. 

The newly qualified pilots will then go on to operate some of the most leading-edge aircraft in terms of sustainability. 

Aer Lingus’s Chief Instructor, Captain Karl O’Neill, is looking to attract people to Aer Lingus who are highly motivated and passionate about aviation.

He said, "Operating an aircraft requires specific skills and competencies. While pilots are required to be technically adept, many of the required competencies like decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are readily transferred from other careers. 

"We are seeking to attract future pilots with a wide breadth of qualifications from all backgrounds to reflect the rich diversity of our society and economy. We are looking for those with strong people skills, who are pragmatic and committed in their ambition to join our existing team of outstanding pilots. 

"Successful candidates will go through one of the most thorough and high-standard training courses in the world with mentoring, guidance, and support throughout." 

Aer Lingus confirmed it is actively striving to increase the number of female applicants to the programme and, while the current figure of 11% female pilots is reportedly industry-leading, the airline acknowledges the need to surpass this representation. 

In the last recruitment round, only 7% of applicants were female, a statistic it is determined to significantly improve upon. 

Aer Lingus will begin accepting online applications from now until August 16, 2023. 

For more information, click here.