CTC approved to issue Singapore pilot licences

Airline pilot training provider, CTC Aviation Group plc (CTC), has gained approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to train airline pilots for the country’s airlines.

CTC is the first Flight Training Organisation (FTO) in New Zealand to gain such approval.

“CTC announced our partnership with Jetstar Asia in May 2011to train Singaporean nationals for employment as first officers with the international airline,"  said Ian Calvert (pictured), CEO of Hamilton-based CTC. 

"This partnership was the impetus for starting the process of gaining CAAS approval. 

“Over the past few months we have established a collaborative relationship with the Singaporean regulator and underwent several exhaustive audits to get to this point.

“CTC’s international reputation as a safe, high quality FTO played a major role in attaining this industry achievement.”

In order for CTC to gain the approval, three of CTC’s 50 New Zealand instructors obtained their Singaporean Commercial Pilot’s Licences as part of the CAAS process. 

CTC and CAAS are now working together to finalise the approval process for the company’s Type Rating Training Organisation division based in the United Kingdom, which will enable Singaporean pilots to complete their Airbus or Boeing type rating training with CTC. 

When gained, this additional approval will allow CTC to deliver a full range of mandatory programmes for qualified and experienced pilots, instructors and examiners in addition to new entrant pilot training.

In 2011 CTC began recruiting in Singapore for the Jetstar Asia training program.

The first trainees arrived to start their flight training at CTC’s crew training centre in Hamilton during the week of 16 January. 

Ian Calvert says gaining CAAS approval enables CTC to deliver pilot training for all Singapore-based airlines.