Atlantic pulls the Plug.
 

I have it on a very good authority that the plug has been pulled on the Atlantic Flight Training's Part Sponsored Training Scheme. Apparently AFT have pulled out because they are not able to guarantee employment for successful students at the completion of training. It appears that this innovative idea has failed because of the lack of response and support by other major airlines. This was a great idea by AFT to deliver selected and well trained pilots into the market place. They should be applauded for there attempt to help young people into the aviation market. As for the the majors who failed to support the scheme, take a long hard look at yourselves, I believe you have made a big mistake. An explanation from anyone who did not feel inclined to support AFT would be appreciated. Your comments please.

If this is true then it is a great shame. AFT invested a fair amount in this scheme, and didn't even charge wannabes for the Morrisby aptitude tests (around £80 per person) and sim-ride!
Obviously there was a commercial benefit for them - bringing on business and all that - but it was a great opportunity for wannabes to get the ATPL and that all important first job.

Can anyone substantiate this?

What about those already in training?

PFO

If this is the case prehaps somebody like Mathew wold care to comment, another area just dies. Sad but what can one do? Yours very scared. Juz

Believe me my source is 100% and if you wish to e-mail I will give you further details. I am sure AFT will confirm it, if you phone them. If the market changes I believe that AFT will re-introduce the scheme, don't bank on it as the undertakers have been called. I do not know what the outcome is for the guys and girls already on the course. I would urge anybody from the potential sponsor airlines to tell us why they felt they could not support the concept.

Unfortunately this is 100% true. I got home from work last night to find a letter from AFT stating that they were canceling the 50% sponsorship scheme due to lack of interest from airlines. The letter said they could not guarantee a job anymore after graduation. It went on to say that they were attempting to set a new trend in pilot training but it was just not possible due to lack of interest. Shame by all accounts excellent course.

Well there goes another route to the R.H.S. Now where's that bank loan form.......!!

I would imagine that there is such a large pool of qualified wannabees out there that it is definitely a "buyers market"!

PFO

Whilst I wished this scheme the best of luck and everyone on it I never thought it would work unfortunately.

With schemes such as CTC's full bells and whistles FO training scheme struggling for interest in recent years on one side and airlines own sponsorships on the other side the middle ground targetted by AFT looking extremely tight to these eyes.

Never mind,

WWW

Does this have any effect on the full Air Atlantique sponsorships?

Regards

Mike

I can verify this too ...... I got my letter today. A disappointment but there we go. Another opportunity goes in the fire.

In response to Mike's question, it doesn't affect the full sponsorship scheme but you have to have 100hrs on your PPL to be considered. I gave them a ring about it today. Better go get my hours in.

Autofly

I received my letter today also. A shame, but there are many avenues...

ATCS

Hi there. Sorry for being a bit thick, but I was wondering how this affects the poor souls who are already on the course. Do they get to finish training/receive a refund of their £20000/is training terminated forewith? I feel really bad for them:-(

Apparently this forum is read by many of the senior management from UK airlines-would somebody please like to answer why they felt they could not support this scheme. The other interesting point is whether AFT offered the course without any substantial backers. They were certainly reluctant to release the names of any participating airlines. The mind boggles. I look forward to any replies.

Can't speak for ailrine management, but the probable reason is 1) a large pool of wannabes already out there, and b) not wanting to pay a premium to an unproven (in their eyes) training organisation.

I think most training organisations are struggling... one thing is for sure, there is no shortage of freshly-minted wannabes at the moment (but a HUGE shortage of even lightly experienced folk).

Every cloud has a silver lining!

I should imagine that if the people at AFT cannot secure employment for those on the scheme then they have effectively got a very good discount on their training.

I would be a little unsure about signing up for a scheme of this nature without the certainty of knowing who I was going to work for at the end of the course.

PFO

Go to www.espt.com and look at the section concerned with Europilot Program. This may help some. Or e-mail [email protected].

And if anyone can tell me how to insert an url into one of these messages I would be grateful.

Make sure HTML/UBB is on first. Then click on the link on the left of the reply text box to view information about the syntax.

Regards

Graeme Scott
[email protected]

I think I can answer some of the questions and comments. First of all, it is correct that the part-sponsored scheme is subject to review, and whilst that is happening, no further PASS students will be taken on. The reason for the review is twofold: Firstly, it is true that so far no airlines have yet signed up to take any of the students on completion of their course, but it would be wrong to read too much into this, as this completion is some way off.

Meanwhile Atlantic will carry on training the students, and there is absolutely no question of their not having their courses completed. They will all get their promised jobs, as Atlantic Airlines/Air Atlantique/Highland Airways - all of which are adding turboprops to their fleets - will gladly offer them positions if no other exciting opportunities arise.

The second reason is that AFT are very concerned about the probable approval of schools outside the JAA states getting their own approval to carry out all sections of the JAA course, at considerably lower cost than AFT can manage, even with hours build up taking place in South Africa or Canada. Good luck to those schools, but obviously this development will have ramifications, and AFT feel it would be better not to have too many students going through PASS courses whilst this uncertainty exists. After all, AFT have assured all the PASS students that they will get decent turbo-prop or jet jobs on completion of their courses, and they will, of course, honour that obligation. But AFT would rather it could find jobs in other airlines, and it is important that the course cost is not seen as "expensive".

It could mean, if no other airlines are interested in spending £20,000 or so on a first class young pilot (about 55% of the total course cost), that Atlantic Airlines/Air Atlantique/Highland Airways - all of which are acquiring more turbo props this year - will take them on. This would be very good news for these airlines, because the students are excellent, but there is the Group sponsorship scheme producing first rate pilots at the same time.

It was never the plan to offer PASS students jobs in Atlantic as a matter of course, but always regarded as a possibility if no other airlines were found.

The Air Atlantique 100% sponsorship scheme will continue, as this is a most successful component in Atlantic's operation. It has now been running continuously for 18 years. It costs Atlantic a fortune, but the quality of pilot produced more than makes up for it.

Sorry that is a bit long winded, but I hope it covers the main points.

Rivers

Thanks for your sensble reply Riverboat. I think you've cleared up some worries for a lot of people.

Anyone know how many students Air Atlantique takes on each year for the 100% sponsorship scheme?

Regards

Mike