Faced with a shortage of airline pilots, airlines are looking to diversify their hiring methods. Air France thus relaunches its free training course for “cadets” (young pilots in the company’s language). The latter had been suspended during the covid health crisis.
Applications begin on October 15 (on the company’s corporate website). Candidates must pass a “rigorous selection process”, underlines Air France. Specifically, only a hundred of them will be preserved…
From a BAC or BAC+2 level
If this formation intends to be open, however, it establishes some conditions:
- have a BAC+2 in a scientific course or
- be in a master cycle (BAC+4/+5) from a university or school (or a graduate)
- be in the second year (first year completed and validated) of a preparatory class for the Grandes Ecoles, all streams (except Letters A/L) including integrated preparatory classes (for example, for engineering schools) or
- Hold a bachelor’s degree and a valid ATPL theoretical airline pilot license issued by an approved school in a European Union Member State
rigorous selection
There is no age limit for this contest, but candidates must be citizens of a European Union country or Switzerland and speak French fluently. The level of English required is 850 points in the TOEIC (Listening and Reading, Public Program or Institutional Program) and must be less than two years old.
After the closing of applications, a pre-selection phase begins consisting of tests of logic, general aeronautical culture, reasoning and English. Then a second phase from Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport will include group tests and interviews leading to the selection of cadets.
Then, “they will join a training school for a 24-month theoretical and practical course, punctuated by various evaluations.”
At the end of this training, 100% financed by the company, the applicants will join Air France or Transavia France as an Airline Pilot Officer.
This sector is characterized by its openness since no previous piloting experience is required. Its goal is to “create vocations among candidates from all walks of life and promote diversity”, underlines Air France, which focuses especially on women (who represent only 9% of its pilots).
Let us remember that, at the same time, Air France has relaunched the hiring of professional pilots: 300 of them have joined the company since the beginning of the year, and “an additional 100 hirings are expected by the end of 2022”.
Also on EasyJet
Air France is not the only company that bets on unconventional contracting channels. Esayjet, which is looking for no less than 1,000 cadet pilots in 5 years, has launched the “become a pilot” program associated with a major publicity campaign. Objective: “attract candidates with varied profiles and combat stereotypes about the airline pilot profession” and train them.
The campaign thus highlights atypical profiles such as that of a DJ, a mother or a gymnast who has become a pilot thanks to her course. “Everyone has the opportunity to use their skills and passions to become an airline pilot,” says the low-cost carrier.
However, the company imposes some conditions, including a GCSE level (British equivalent of Bac) in various subjects such as maths, science and English. And specify that candidates with glasses have all the possibilities… The company ensures that a training of 18/24 months can allow them to settle in the passenger seat.
Source: BFM TV
