Cadet Scheme

The Multiflight Flight Training Centre provides flight training for cadet pilots for Atlantic Airlines, the UK’s largest independent cargo carrier.

The Atlantic Airlines Cadet Pilot Programme/Sponsorship Scheme provides a great opportunity for aspiring pilots. It takes trainee pilots who hold a valid Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) and can meet the selection criteria, to the issue of a full Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) and Instrument Rating (IR).

The Atlantic Airlines’ sponsorship scheme is funded fully up front by Atlantic Airlines, with 50 per cent of the initial training costs later paid back by the pilot: but this is only after they have successfully completed the programme and are working and getting paid as a First Officer with the airline. All successful cadets are employed by Atlantic Airlines on completion of the programme, which includes type and line training, as a Commercial Pilot with one of Atlantic Airlines’ aircraft types.

The pre-entry requirements for the Cadet Scheme are as follows:

• Preferably cadets should be 18-26 years old, but not essential for the right candidate
• You must hold a current class 1 medical
• You must hold a current JAR FCL Private Pilots Licence
• Preferably cadets should hold a night rating, but not essential for the right candidate
• You must have a full, clean, UK driving licence
• Ideally you must have 150 hours total time of which 100 hours must be P1, but not essential for the right candidate
• You must have the rights to live and work within the UK

Anyone interested in taking part in the scheme should contact the Multiflight Flight Training Centre for more information: telephone + 44 (0) 113 238 7130, or e-mail information@multiflight.com. All applicants must complete the Cadet Pilot Sponsorship Scheme application form.

Atlantic Airlines, based at Coventry Airport, is an all cargo airline providing ad hoc and contract cargo services throughout Europe. It works mainly for the Express Cargo Industry and its customers include DHL, TNT and Royal Mail. Specialist services include support aircraft for oil spill response and the transport of bloodstock and other high value time critical products. Its existing principle fleet features nine BAe Systems ATP aircraft, with two more due for 2009 delivery, and seven Lockheed L188/C Electra.

Hear from the cadets

So what’s life like as a cadet pilot on the Atlantic Airlines Cadet Pilot Programme/Sponsorship Scheme? Read here what some of the cadet pilots have to say:

Atlantic Airlines pilot Matt Jacob, who came through the Atlantic Airlines Cadet Pilot Programme/Sponsorship Scheme, says: “I am 26 years old and have been flying the Lockheed Electra L188 for Atlantic Airlines for almost a year now. Before joining the company I graduated at Newcastle University with a 2:1 in Business & Economics, after which I did odd jobs saving money for my PPL. I went out to Florida in early 2005 for my PPL and once arriving back in the UK I started studying for my ATPL ground school exams alongside working as cabin crew.

“I joined Atlantic Airlines as a cadet at the start of November 2005. At first, as is the case with every cadet, the amount of work they demanded of you was a shock, even after certain expectations and a small amount of research. However, I knew that this was an opportunity of a lifetime and seeing ex-cadets as fully qualified pilots ‘on the line’, together with being involved with the everyday operation of an airline, I was more enthusiastic then ever – there was an everyday visible goal to aim at.

“After six months of seven-day-a-week cadet duties, e.g. driving pilots around, sweeping the hangar floor and working on aircraft, I was given new ATPL ground school books (I had to start all over again as I’d not managed to take any previous exams) and two days off mid-week as study days. The rest of the week was taken up with normal cadet duties. At one point I also worked in ‘Operations’ while the company were short-staffed, more evidence of the value of cadets, and more valuable involvement for me, experiencing additional ‘ins and outs’ of the airline. I was also given a set amount of hours I could fly each month in order to build sufficient hours in time for my CPL.

“The quicker I completed my exams the quicker I could be in that sought-after right-hand seat, hence I worked as hard as I could to get them done as rapidly and as successfully as possible. I passed all my exams (three separate modules) within nine months of starting them, 15 months from my first day at Atlantic; this worked out well for me as I commenced my CPL the day after I received my last exam results.

“I completed my CPL, MEP, IR & MCC in the spring of 2007 and was offered a summer course on the Electra. I made my first line flight mid-September 2007 and am proud to now be in the right-hand seat flying a fantastic aircraft for such a dynamic, competitive and successful airline.

“Rising through the apprenticeship of the Atlantic Airlines’ ‘fuglyship’ has been a truly valuable and enjoyable experience that will never be forgotten. Not only have I been handed such a fantastic opportunity – a paid-for license and first job – I have enjoyed many life-changing experiences along the way, and met some fantastic people, some of whom are still my best friends today. I would, without hesitation, recommend this scheme to anyone who has the passion, determination and enthusiasm to work hard for an extraordinarily unique and highly satisfying reward waiting for them at the end.”

Cadet Pilot Miguel Cooper says: “I started my Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) at Thruxton when I was 14, flying with birthday and Christmas money. Frustrated by the weather and scarcity of flights, I took myself off to Naples, Florida when I was 17 to finish the licence once and for all!

“At the time of applying to the scheme, I was a year out of university working as a translator for an internet company and with around 120 hours logged. With such fierce competition for pilot sponsorship, I was surprised to be offered the job, starting the following week. Things move pretty fast with Atlantic!

“The first six months passed very quickly and I spent them getting to know the other cadets and launching myself in to the job, seven days a week. It was certainly hard work and a shock to the system, but it’s all part of the process to acclimatise you to the busy, time-critical world of night-freight operations. Like any job, there are both high and low points as one would expect. Some good times, for example, have been spending a week in Edinburgh loading Turkish F-27s, driving to Brussels to personally deliver champagne to important clients and jump-seating my way around Europe on the Electra. By contrast, ‘bleaker’ times include manually unloading eight tons of mail from a grounded ATP and re-loading it on to another ATP parked alongside it and driving to Bournemouth three times in 24 hours.

“Having completed my Air Transport Pilot Exams (ATPL) theory exams in June, I am currently waiting to start my Commercial Pilot’s Licence/Instrument Rating (CPL/IR) at Multiflight in the Autumn and I can’t wait! I expect to be type-rated and online by early Spring, 2009.

“What I like about Atlantic is that I know pretty much everyone in the company and consequently, I have a fairly comprehensive overview of how each of the major departments operates. This has obvious advantages in breeding captains with ‘business sense,’- a highly desirable quality in an airline’s commanders and future managers, particularly given the current economic climate.”

Atlantic Airlines’ cadet pilot Alastair Yardy says being part of the cadet pilot programme is an excellent life experience and a great way to learn about every aspect of how an airline operates.

“It is tough at times, but you are working towards a goal of becoming a pilot and that’s what keeps you going and focused,” says Alastair.

“As a cadet half your training costs are paid for you and you are guaranteed a job at the end of your training: it’s a fantastic scheme and we cadets consider ourselves very fortunate to have been selected for the programme. For many of us cadets it’s the only way we could ever afford to train as a pilot.”

Alastair has enjoyed his flight training at leading UK flight training centre Multiflight, saying: “Multiflight offers a highly organised, professional flight training environment and you couldn’t wish for anywhere better to do your flight training. The Multiflight team is extremely helpful and always on hand to help and support you.”

Alastair started flying as soon as he graduated from University at Coventry in Aerospace Technology. He saved up his final year student loan to be able to afford to go to Florida in 2005 to obtain his Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). Once he arrived back in the UK he started his Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) ground school distance learning while saving money doing agency jobs in order to complete the 14 ATPL exams.

He joined Atlantic Airlines in November 2007 with around 100 hours flying and his ATPL exams complete.

“When I started with Atlantic it was quite a shock with the quantity of work, the seven-day-a-week lifestyle and the type of jobs you were given to do, but it was exciting too. As a cadet pilot you get to meet and know everyone within the company as you get involved with all areas, from operations and engineering to accounts, and you get to know how the company operates.

“I spent a lot of time positioning pilots around the country in a car, while never knowing what job I may be given to do next. It could be a trip to Bournemouth or a road trip across Europe to Luxembourg, Leipzig or Brussels; jump seating out of East Midlands Airport, or catching a schedule flight to Basel, Lubiana or Jersey with aircraft spares.

“As with all jobs there are good times and bad, but working with the Atlantic Airlines’ crews within an ever-changing industry; seeing what is waiting for you when you finish your cadet training, and knowing you are getting closer to fulfilling your dream is an unforgettable experience.”