Industry Airbus launches pilot training program based in Mexico City

In total, Airbus predicts that 540,000 new pilots will be needed over the next two decades. With the Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Programme including ab initio training Airbus is determined to support airline customers with competent personnel trained to global harmonised standards.

The Mexico City based Escuela de Aviacion Mexico (EAM) will be Airbus’ partner for the pilot training program. Initial training will be held at EAM, whereupon cadets will transfer to the Airbus Mexico Training centre to become Airbus A320 pilots. The EASA-based program will give customers the opportunity to delegate pilot screening in their recruiting process.

Airbus has worldwide experience in pilot training and will offer cadets a fully integrated Airline Transport Licence (ATPL) program based on global standards. “The Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Programme aims to equip cadets with the skills and mindset required to become an “operationally-ready pilot”. Thanks to Airbus’ introduction of competency-based training throughout the entire curriculum, the programme focuses on the all-important development of the key pilot competencies”, Airbus states.

The program will be open to high school graduates over the age of 18 who will then undergo screening tests online and on-site. Additionally, Airbus offers a bridge course from local licence to EASA licence so that cadets may widen their scope of future employees.

Courses are expected to start in January 2019 and the first round of cadets is scheduled to graduate in July 2020. In the last few years the aircraft manufacturer has tripled its training locations worldwide and is planning similar partnerships like the one with EAM across the globe in the future.

Established in 1943, Escuela de Aviacion Mexico trains 200 cadets per year serving Mexico’s main airlines. EAM is located in Mexico City and Guadalajara and operates flight bases in Acapulco, Cuernavaca and Atizapán. The training fleet used is the largest modern training fleet in Mexico and latest-technology simulators include an A320 which will also be used for the new ab initio program.